Covid-19: Canada’s cases continue to soar

People line up to pick up free COVID-19 antigen rapid test kits in Mississauga, Ontario OTTAWA, Dec 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — COVID-19 cases are continuing to soar across Canada fueled by the Omicron variant, with confirmation of 7,566 new cases as of Saturday afternoon. The new cases brought the cumulative caseload…

Regional bloc in Latin America ratifies commitment to integration

HAVANA, Dec 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — Latin American countries attending the 20th Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) in Havana approved a final declaration that ratified the bloc’s commitment to regional integration. “We ratify our commitment to genuine Latin American and Caribbean integration,…

4 killed, 12 injured in train collision in Ghana

ACCRA, Dec 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least four people were killed and 12 others injured after two trains collided head-on in the Western Region of Ghana, police confirmed on Saturday. Sebastian Folivie, an officer of the Western Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service, told Xinhua that the incident involved…

Republic of Congo’s president in self-isolation after contact with COVID-19 patient

BRAZZAVILLE, Dec 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso is currently observing self-isolation after being in contact with COVID-19 patient, the Congolese government announced on Saturday, noting that the president tested negative for COVID-19. The president is “required to observe a period of self-isolation,”…

UK Brexit supremo Frost resigns in blow to PM Johnson

British Brexit Minister David Frost LONDON, Dec 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — British Brexit minister David Frost has resigned from the cabinet and will depart in the new year, local media reported on Saturday. Mail on Sunday said in an exclusive that “Frost has sensationally resigned from Boris Johnson’s government,” due to…

3rd Turkey-Africa summit commits to boosting cooperation in various fields

ISTANBUL, Dec 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The heads of Turkey and African countries agreed on Saturday to boost their partnership and cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the establishment of peace and security, as well as improvement of infrastructure investments in Africa. The Third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul…

Kenya approved for $258 million IMF disbursement after review

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Monetary Fund approved a disbursement of $258.1 million for Kenya after completing a second review under a 38-month program to address debt vulnerabilities, the Covid-19 response and enhancing governance. The delivery of IMF funds brings total disbursements to $972.6 million out of a…

Covid-19: Canada lifts travel ban on South Africa and nine other African countries

Travellers queue at a check-in counter at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa OTTAWA, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada has announced that it will be lifting its travel ban on South Africa and nine other African countries following criticism.The ban was imposed last month to curb the transmission…

Argentina: Chubut’s provincial capital on fire after demonstrations against mining law

RAWSON (Chubut, Argentina), Dec 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Demonstrators in the Argentine province of Chubut set the Government House and other public buildings in the capital city of Rawson on fire to express their opposition to a mega-mining bill passed by the local legislature. However, these protests achieved very little beyond…

Covid-19: Argentina to donate 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Bolivia

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentina has announced one million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be sent to Bolivia next Monday, making it “the largest donation of doses between countries in South America since the global pandemic was declared,” according to a Health Ministry statement. The doses…