Covid-19: Keep borders open as we tackle new variant says WHO

  BRAZZAVILLE, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The head of the World Health Organization in Africa urged countries to follow the science rather than imposing flight bans in a bid to contain the new Omicron coronavirus variant.    “With the Omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world, putting…

Covid-19: Swiss voters back Coronavirus law amid surge in infections

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station for three national bills, including the COVID-19 law and several cantonal and communal proposals, at the Zurich City Hall in Zurich, Switzerland GENEVA, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Swiss voters have back legislation to impose the use of a COVID-19 certificate that lets only people…

Covid-19: Cuba tightens restrictions on eight African countries over Omicron concerns

HAVANA, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cuba will ratchet up restrictions from Dec 4 on passengers from certain African countries over concerns about the Omicron coronavirus variant, the country’s Communist-run government said. The World Health Organization said on Monday that the Omicron variant carried a “very high” risk of infection surges. Countries…

Covid-19: UN chief concerned about southern Africa isolation over Omicron

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned about the isolation of southern African countries after COVID-19 travel restrictions were imposed by several countries over the new Omicron variant of coronavirus. “I appeal to all governments to consider repeated testing for travellers, together with…

Covid-19: US CDC says all adults 18 and over should get booster shots

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said everyone aged 18 years and older should get a booster shot either six months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna vaccine doses or two months after their Johnson & Johnson shot. The update on Monday comes after…

Covid-19: White House says US agencies can delay punishing unvaccinated federal workers

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The White House told federal agencies they can delay punishing thousands of federal workers who failed to comply with a Nov 22 COVID-19 vaccination deadline. On Wednesday, the Biden administration said a total of 92 per cent of US federal workers have received at least one dose…

Replacing the queen – Barbados’s first president, Sandra Mason

Dame Sandra Mason, governor general of Barbados BRIDGETOWN, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sandra Mason was the first woman admitted to the bar in Barbados – and her place in the nation’s history was cemented when she was elected as the country’s first president. Her rise to become head of state of the…

Burkina Faso: Tear gas fired at protesters decrying Islamist attacks

Protesters have been demanding the president’s resignation  OUAGADOUGOU, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in Burkina Faso have fired tear gas at people protesting against the state’s failure to stop a rise in Islamist violence. Some erected barricades and burned tyres as scuffles spread around the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou.…

Xiomara Castro leading by wide margin in Honduras elections

TEGUCIGALPA, Nov 29 (NNN-TELESUR) — After a historic voter turnout of 62%, and despite attempts by the right-wing National Party (PAN) to claim an early victory, democratic socialist candidate Xiomara Castro de Zelaya is leading by a nearly 20% margin in the country’s presidential elections. Leading over Nasry Asfura, current mayor of the…

Nigeria: Three killed as pirates abduct seven oil workers in Bayelsa

A civil defence officer is among those killed, the security agency has confirmed ABUJA, Nov 29 (NNN-NAN) — Gunmen, suspected to be pirates, in the early hours of Sunday, attacked two oil installations, killing three and abducting seven oil workers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria’s South-south. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)…