Covid-19: Argentina can take on Copa America by itself if protocols are observed, says Pres Fernández

BUENOS AIRES, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentine President Alberto Fernández insisted his country is capable of hosting singlehandedly the Copa America football competition despite 35,543 new cases of Covid-19 and 745 deaths in one day for a record total of 71,771 casualties since the beginning of the pandemic.  The Cup…

Colombians march against hosting Copa America amid social unrest

BOGOTA, May 21 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Dozens of Colombian fans gathered in front of the headquarters of the Colombian Football Federation to demand that the Copa America is not held in the conflict-ridden country, where over 40 deaths have been recorded over the last three weeks.  “The ball cannot cover the…

Covid-19: Seychelles reimposes some restrictions after spike in cases

A photo of tourists arriving in the country VICTORIA, May 21 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The Indian Ocean nation of the Seychelles re-imposed coronavirus restrictions after a sharp spike in cases as it continues to juggle the pandemic with its reliance on tourism.More than 60% of the island archipelago’s 100,000 residents have…

Young Moroccan migrants vow to pursue Europe even after expulsion

Migrant arrivals have peaked in recent days especially to Spanish enclave of Ceuta FNIDEQ (Morocco), May 21 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Having been expelled from Ceuta, a dozen migrants are still determined to flee MoroccoYoung Moroccans are waiting in Fnideq, on the Moroccan side of the border with Spain, in the hope…

Covid-19: Deadly Indian variant hits Zimbabwe

HARARE, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe has confirmed that the deadly Indian coronavirus variant, B.1.617, has hit the country, raising fears that it could overwhelm the southern African nation’s poorly-resourced healthcare system.The strain was confirmed after samples taken from a Kwekwe man who died after contact with a niece, who…

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau reportedly blew himself up after captured by rivals – Nigeria media

Abubakar Shekau is leader of Boko Haram ABUJA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Local media outlets in Nigeria are reporting the death of famed Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau. HumAngle, a website focused on conflict reporting in the Lake Chad region said it had verified the death from multiple sources. This…

Covid-19: Chile to lift lockdowns in more regions despite rising cases

SANTIAGO, May 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chile will lift lockdowns in 13 towns on Monday and continue to gradually ease pandemic restrictions across the country despite detecting more than 7,600 new COVID-19 cases in one day, Health Minister Enrique Paris announced. “The Step-by-Step Plan (that determines lockdowns and restrictions) is under…

Libyan political parties call for holding elections as scheduled

TRIPOLI, May 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — During a video conference with Assistant Secretary-General and Coordinator of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Raisedon Zenenga, a group of representatives of more than 15 political parties called on the relevant Libyan authorities to hold national elections later this year. “Participants unanimously…

Serbia, Russia hold joint anti-terror exercise

BELGRADE, May 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Serbian and Russian armies are holding joint training in the Serbian region of Deliblato Sands, the Serbian Defense Ministry said. Titled “Joint Response 2021,” members of the special units of the Army of Serbia and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation hold the…

Covid-19: Italy approves 40-bln-euro stimulus package to support economy

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi ROME, May 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Italian government approved a 40-billion-euros relief package to support the country’s businesses and workers affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. The new relief measures included 17 billion euros of financial aid to companies, and nine billion euros for business credit…