Covid-19: EU needs to buy time on Omicron variant: EU’s von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen RIGA (Latvia), Nov 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union needs to buy time to assess fully the implications of the new Omicron coronavirus variant and to prepare, notably by pushing for greater vaccination rates, the president of the European Commission said. First discovered in South Africa,…

Covid-19: Botswana says 15 more cases of Omicron variant detected in country

Buildings are seen in the Central Business District (CBD) in the capital Gaborone, Botswana GABORONE, Nov 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Botswana’s health minister Edwin Dikoloti said the country had detected 15 more cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant, adding to the four confirmed cases it declared on Friday. The minister applauded…

Covid-19: WHO says it is not yet clear if Omicron causes more severe disease

Travellers read a flight information notice board at Cape Town International Airport as restrictions on international flights take effect GENEVA, Nov 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization (WHO) said that it is not yet clear if the new Omicron coronavirus variant is more transmissible compared to other SARS-CoV-2 variants or if…

Covid-19: Dozens test positive on South Africa-Netherlands flights

 AMSTERDAM, Nov 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sixty-one people who arrived in Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa have tested positive for Covid-19, Dutch officials say. They have been placed in isolation at a hotel near Schiphol airport. They were among some 600 passengers held for several hours after arrival while…

Covid-19: Jamaica receives 200,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccine

MEXICO CITY, Nov 28 (NNN-Xinhua) — Jamaica received 200,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine recently, half of which were donated by China with the remainder purchased by the Jamaican government, the Jamaica Information Service said. “These greatly appreciated Sinopharm vaccines demonstrate the value of the evolving relationship which Jamaica…

New COVID variant: US salutes South African scientists for alerting the world

The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States of America has formally saluted the South African government and its scientists for their role in reporting on the latest COVID-19 variant.US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, disclosed via Twitter that he has…

Britain snubbed as France hosts Channel migration talks

  CALAIS (France), Nov 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France hosts a meeting of European ministers on Sunday to discuss ways to stop migrants crossing the Channel in dinghies, but without Britain, which has been excluded following a row last week.   Ministers from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium will meet…

South Africa says NO to renewal of work permit for 250,000 Zimbabweans

PRETORIA, Nov 28 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — South Africa said it would not renew temporary permits of around a quarter-of-a-million Zimbabweans working in the country when their visas expire next month. Some 250,000 Zimbabweans fleeing political and economic crises at home were granted four-year work visas in 2009. The visas have been…

Algerians return to the polls this weekend

ALGIERS, Nov 28 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Algerians return to the polls this weekend to choose local and provincial representatives. The vote takes place earlier than originally planned and a year after a constitutional referendum was held. The scrutiny is also a test for the new government of president Abdelmajid Tebboune that…

Arms-for-money exchange program kicks off at the Mexican border

Mexican Army personnel destroy weapons handed over by people in Ciudad Juarez MEXICO CITY, Nov 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Firearms for Money Exchange Program began in the border city of Ciudad Juárez with the aim of removing weapons that could be used to generate violence or commit crimes. The program will…