Covid-19: UK reports more than 200,000 daily cases for first time

More than 200,000 daily coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the UK LONDON, Jan 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Britain reported 218,724 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, exceeding 200,000 daily cases for the first time since of the start of the pandemic, according to official figures released Tuesday. This brought…

Italy: Presidential election set for Jan 24

Incumbent Italian Pres Sergio Mattarella OME, Jan 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy’s politicians are to elect a new head of state on Jan 24.The bicameral parliament has been called to a joint session for the election of the president of the republic at 3 pm on that day, the Chamber of…

Top suspect in Haiti assassination probe in US custody, first person to be formally charged with the crime

Slain Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse MIAMI (Florida, US), Jan 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A key suspect in the assassination of Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse, is in US custody in Miami after being arrested Tuesday morning by Homeland Security agents.The arrest happened when he arrived from Panama, multiple US government sources disclosed.Mario…

Update: South Africa parliament fire contained – Firefighters

CAPE TOWN, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A fire that ravaged South Africa’s parliament has been contained after strong winds had reignited the blaze, firefighters said on Tuesday. The fire began in the early hours on Sunday and devastated much of the parliament complex before it was declared under control on…

Covid-19: US single-day cases surpass 1 million as Omicron variant continues to haunt Europe

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United States shattered a single-day record with over 1 million COVID-19 cases on Monday amid the rapid spread of Omicron variant and government decisions to ease prevention and control measures in the country. As of 0500 GMT Tuesday, the country registered about 1.07 million…

Newborn baby found in toilet bin of Air Mauritius plane

 PORT LOUIS, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Airport staff in Mauritius have found a newborn baby boy abandoned in the rubbish bin of a plane’s toilet. A 20-year-old woman from Madagascar, suspected of having given birth on the flight, was arrested. The Air Mauritius plane, which arrived from Madagascar, landed at…

Covid-19: French Mps get death threats over support for vaccine pass

 PARIS, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Several French MPs say they have received death threats as they debate a Covid-19 pass that would bar the unvaccinated from much of public life. The government is seeking to pass a law that would require people to show proof of vaccination to access public…

Zimbabwe: 632 arrested as Zimbabwe-South Africa tighten border security

Beitbridge border crossing HARARE, Jan 4 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) –Zimbabwe and South Africa have tightened security along the Limpopo border to thwart illegal activities, especially smuggling and the irregular movement of people between the two countries, with over 600 being arrested last Sunday alone. Between Dec 10 and Dec 31 last year,…

British army officer Harpreet Chandi has arrived safely at the South Pole, first woman of colour to achieve such a feat

ANTARCTICA, Jan 4 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A British Army captain has made history by becoming the first woman of colour to cross Antarctica unsupported. Captain Harpreet Chandi has arrived safely at the South Pole after a 700-mile trek in 40 days. She battled bouts of sickness and diarrhea as she took…

Canada court awards compensation for families of airliner downed by Iran

MONTREAL, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Canadian court has awarded more than CAN$100 million in compensation to the families of six people who died aboard a Ukrainian passenger jet shot down over Tehran almost two years ago, local media said. Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 shortly after…