Covid-19: US hits new record for daily cases – Johns Hopkins

   WASHINGTON, Dec 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States has reached its highest-ever average of new Covid cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, as the Omicron variant spread at a blistering pace.   The moving seven-day average of new cases was 265,427 as of Tuesday, surpassing the previous…

Covid-19: WHO worried for health systems over threat from twin Omicron-Delta ‘tsunami’

   GENEVA, Dec 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A “tsunami” of Omicron and Delta Covid-19 cases will pile pressure on health systems already being stretched to their limits, the World Health Organization warned.   The WHO said the Delta and Omicron variants of concern were “twin threats” that were driving new case numbers…

Update: Death toll rises to 16 in latest Greece migrant boat accident

ATHENS, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least sixteen people died when a migrant boat sank in the Aegean, Greece’s coastguard said early Saturday, just hours after a similar incident claimed another 11 lives. The latest tragedy – the third since Wednesday – came amid high smuggler activity not seen in Greek waters…

More than 10,000 Russian troops returning to bases after drills near Ukraine: Report

MOSCOW, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 10,000 Russian troops have been returning to their permanent bases after month-long drills near Ukraine, the Interfax news agency reported on Saturday (Dec 25), citing the Russian military. Interfax said that the drills were held in several regions near Ukraine, including in Crimea,…

Armed indigenous Mapuches in Southern Chile burn 31 cabins, forestry machinery and open fire on a hydrant aircraft

SANTIAGO, Dec 25 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The indigenous Mapuche tribe violent groups in southern Chile, involved in arson and destruction attacks, have warned that as long as forestry and construction companies keep ”devastating our resources, and the jails of southern Chile continue full of Mapuche patriots incarcerated, weichan (armed resistance) will…

French zoo shut after pack of wolves escapes

French authorities in the south of the country have temporarily shut down a zoo after a pack of nine wolves escaped from their enclosure during visiting hours TOULOUSE (France), Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French authorities in the south of the country have temporarily shut down a zoo after a pack…

Mali: West condemns Russian mercenaries ‘deployment’

PARIS, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France and its 15 allies in Europe and Canada have condemned what they say is the deployment of Russian mercenaries to Mali. They said it could “further deteriorate the security situation in West Africa”, which is battling Jihadist groups. The Western nations accused the Russian…

Covid-19: Kenya bars unvaccinated from public places despite court order

NAIROBI, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s Ministry of Health has announced it will enforce a rule requiring people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to access public services, places, and events.The ministry is going ahead with the mandate despite a court order that postponed it pending a hearing next month.A new report from…

Covid-19: Zimbabwe police hunt for coronavirus positive quarantine escapees

A general view of the slow-moving traffic volume at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe HARARE, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in Zimbabwe are still searching for 12 COVID-19 positive inmates who escaped from a quarantine center in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South province last Friday.The inmates were put on mandatory…

Pregnant woman among 15 charged for Uganda terrorist attacks

Four people were killed and more than 30 injured after three suicide bombings in Kampala in November KAMPALA, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A court in Uganda has charged 15 people – including a pregnant woman – with terrorism over their alleged role in several attacks in the country. Most of the…