Russian Pres Putin, German Chancellor Merkel ‘satisfied’ with near completion of Nord Stream 2

 MOSCOW, July 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had expressed their satisfaction with the near completion of the controversial Nord Stream-2 pipeline during phone talks.   “The leaders are satisfied with the construction of Nord Stream-2 nearing completion,” the Kremlin…

Covid-19: South African president Ramaphosa welcomes Biovac-Pfizer collaboration for benefit of Africa

PRETORIA, July 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the collaboration between South Africa’s Biovac Institute and the global pharmaceutical producer Pfizer to ensure countries in the continent have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Ramaphosa made the remarks while commenting on the collaboration between Biovac and Pfizer to…

Tanzanian anti-narcotics force discovers large cannabis farms

DAR ES SALAAM, July 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tanzanian police said they have discovered seven hectares of cannabis and arrested five suspects in connection with the cultivation of the cannabis. Mtatiro Kitinkwi, the Lindi regional police commander, said the farms were discovered on Tuesday evening in an anti-narcotics crackdown conducted in…

Earthquake: Powerful 7-magnitude hits Costa Rica-Panama border; 5.3-magnitude strikes Nicaragua

SAN JOSE, July 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — A powerful 7-magnitude earthquake hit the border area between Costa Rica and Panama at about 3:15 p.m. local time Wednesday, according to the National Seismological Network of the University of Costa Rica. The epicenter of the earthquake was located 113 km south of Punta…

Covid-19: US reports over 4 mln child cases, weekly growth surges again

As of July 15, almost 4.09 million children have been infected with COVID-19 WASHINGTON, July 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Over 4 million children in the United States have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, while weekly cases surged again after months of decrease, according to a latest…

Germany to pay rapid emergency aid of 400 mln euros for flood victims

BERLIN, July 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Germany would pay 400 million euros for victims of last week’s floods, which were supposed to be available immediately, Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced at a press conference. It was necessary to quickly send the message to people in the affected…

Covid-19: Ireland’s daily cases surge to record high since February

People enjoy outdoor dining as outdoor services in restaurants and bars recommences DUBLIN, July 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ireland’s daily cases of COVID-19 surged to a record high since February of this year, according to official figures released here. The Irish Department of Health said in a statement that there were…

Covid-19: UK reports another 44,104 coronavirus cases

LONDON, July 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Britain has reported another 44,104 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 5,563,006, according to official figures released Wednesday. The country also recorded another 73 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in…

Covid-19: France rolls out health pass as cases soar

Plans for a Covid health pass have proved controversial  PARIS, July 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A new Covid health pass has come into effect in France amid a surge of new infections. From Wednesday, people need proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from Covid to enter most museums…

Nigeria fighter plane shot down by bandits – Military

Flight Lt Abayomi Dairo greeted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao  KADUNA (Nigeria), July 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bandits in Nigeria have shot down an air force plane in a rare case of a military jet being brought down by a criminal gang in the country. The…