Covid-19: How funds meant for coronavirus in DR Congo went missing – Report

KINSHASA, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Missing money, opaque pay practices and poor management hamper the coronavirus response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, researchers say. The Congo Research Group, based in New York University, says several new committees were set up that cost more money but failed to solve the problems.…

Covid-19: WHO experts back extra jab for people with weak immune systems

 GENEVA, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization’s vaccine advisers recommended people with weakened immune systems should be offered an additional dose of all WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines.   The UN health agency’s experts also said over-60s fully immunised with China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines should be offered an additional…

Covid-19: UK nightlife sector lost 86,000 jobs during pandemic – study

 LONDON, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Some 86,000 jobs have been lost in the UK’s nightlife sector since 2019, an industry body said, blaming coronavirus closures.    The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) said the sector accounted for 1.6 percent of GDP in 2019, the equivalent of 36.4 billion pound, and…

UN chief slams ‘broken’ Taliban promises made to women and girls

 UNITED NATIONS, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed the Taliban’s “broken” promises to Afghan women and girls.   “I am particularly alarmed to see promises made to Afghan women and girls by the Taliban being broken,” he told reporters. “I strongly appeal to the Taliban to keep…

Interpreter who helped rescue Pres Biden in 2008 escapes Afghanistan

  WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An interpreter who helped rescue US President Joe Biden in a 2008 Afghan snowstorm has escaped Afghanistan with his family after hiding from the Taliban for weeks, the State Department confirmed.   After crossing into Pakistan over land, Aman Khalili and his family flew on…

Venezuela and Turkey Sign Three Cooperation Agreements

ANKARA, Oct 11 (NNN-TELESUR) — Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Minister Felix Plasencia has signed three cooperation agreements with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu to strengthen bilateral ties. The agreements are connected with the development of Turkey’s Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity, and the…

Brazil’s oldest person dies aged 116, 3rd oldest person in the world

FORTALEZA (Ceara, Brazil), Oct 11 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The 116-year-old Francisca Celsa dos Santos considered the oldest person in Brazil, has died at her home in Fortaleza in the state of Ceará. Dos Santos passed away of pneumonia on Tuesday Oct 5 just days before her 117th birthday, according to Fernanda…

Covid-19: Chile eliminates five-day quarantine for travelers arriving to Punta Arenas by air

SANTIAGO, Oct 11 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Given the favorable results that the Magallanes Region, extreme south of Chile is showing in its battle against the Covid 19 pandemic, Chilean authorities have decided to lessen the restrictions both for incoming domestic and international travelers arriving at Punta Arenas airport. As of Nov…

Covid-19: Pres Bolsonaro banned from Brazilian football stadium for not being vaxxed

SAO PAULO, Oct 11 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was not allowed to enter a football stadium to watch Gremio’s match against Santos because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. To add to the presidential ban controversy Santos won 1-0 during injury time which needed intervention from video assisting…

US, UK warn citizens of threat to Kabul hotels

  WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Britain warned their citizens on Monday to avoid hotels in Afghanistan, days after dozens were killed at a mosque in an attack claimed by the Daesh group.   The Taliban, which seized power in August and declared an Islamic emirate,…