US announces diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

WASHINGTON, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) –The United States announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, a calibrated rebuke of China’s human rights record that stops short of preventing US athletes from competing. The decision comes after Washington spent months wrangling with what position to take on the Games,…

Covid-19: Cuba kicks off booster vaccine drive in Havana

Doses of Cuba’s Abdala coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine HAVANA, Dec 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cuban health authorities on Monday began the massive application of booster vaccine doses against COVID-19 for Havana residents with the home-grown Abdala vaccine. During the first phase of the campaign, people living in four out of the…

At least 48 people killed in tribal conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region

At least 48 people killed in tribal conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region KHARTOUM, Dec 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least 48 people were killed in a tribal conflict in Sudan’s West Darfur state, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, a non-governmental organization, said in a statement. “Initial reports indicated that there…

Tanzania reacts to EU Foreign Affairs Committee

President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzania has acknowledged the approval by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Union Parliament, which recognised some positive developments achieved under a short reign of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.President Hassan took power in March, this year,…

Covid-19: South Africa prepares hospitals as cases surge

Scientists in South Africa and other countries are racing to establish whether Omicron is contagious PRETORIA, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said hospitals are preparing for more admissions as the country entered a fourth COVID-19 wave driven by the Omicron coronavirus strain.“As the country heads into the fourth…

French climber handed Mont Blanc gems after 2013 find; the treasure believed from a 1966 Air India aircrash

The metal box is believed to be from one of two Air India planes which crashed into Mont Blanc CHAMONIX (France), Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A climber who stumbled upon a treasure trove of emeralds, rubies and sapphires that had been buried for decades on France’s Mont Blanc has now…

Ukraine’s Zelensky visits frontline amid Russian invasion fears

KIEV, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the country’s eastern frontline on Monday, as fears in Kiev mount that Russia is preparing to invade its south-western neighbour.    Ex-Soviet Ukraine has been fighting pro-Russia separatists in its eastern Lugansk and Donetsk regions since 2014, shortly after Moscow…

President Barrow wins second term in Gambia election

  BANJUL, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Adama Barrow comfortably won a second term in The Gambia’s presidential election, with thousands of his supporters celebrating in the streets of Banjul, although his opponents disputed the results announced late Sunday.   Barrow, whose assumption of the presidency five years ago ended more…

EU condemns ‘politically motivated’ Suu Kyi detention

  BRUSSELS, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union condemned the Myanmar ruling junta’s jailing of ousted leader Aug San Suu Kyi as “politically motivated” and a “blatant violation of human rights”.   In a statement from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on behalf of the 27 member states, the EU said…

Covid-19 disruptions caused surge in malaria deaths: WHO

  GENEVA, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pandemic-related disruptions caused tens of thousands more malaria deaths in 2020, the World Health Organization said, but added that urgent action had averted a far worse scenario.    In a fresh report, the UN health agency found that Covid-19 had reversed progress against the mosquito-borne disease,…