Covid-19: Indian variant may delay UK lockdown easing – PM Johnson

LONDON, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A rise in cases of the Indian coronavirus variant could “pose serious disruption” to Britain’s reopening plans, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned. England will take the next step of reopening on Monday as planned, but the final stage, currently scheduled for June 21, could be…

Covid-19: Pandemic to be ‘far more deadly’ this year, WHO warns

GENEVA, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– The World Health Organization issued a grim warning that the second year of Covid-19 was set to be “far more deadly”, as Japan extended a state of emergency amid growing calls for the Olympics to be scrapped. “We’re on track for the second year of…

France: African heads of states set for May 18 Paris summit on COVID and the economy

President of France, Emmanuel Macron PARIS, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A dozen African leaders, several European leaders and a dozen heads of international organizations will be received on Tuesday May 18 by French president Emmanuel Macron for a summit on the revival of the African economy, and the impact of…

Ethiopia cancels 27 idle mining licences in push for development

ADDIS ABABA, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia has cancelled 27 idle mining licences and sent warnings to three companies, the mines ministry said, as the government looks to spur production.Ethiopia has now cancelled 90 mining licences, including 63 it revoked in December.“Following a re-investigation, 27 mining companies that had been…

US lifting Ebola travel restrictions on Guinea

Ebola returned to West Africa in eary 2021, the first time in 5 years WASHINGTON, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Biden administration said it was lifting Ebola-related travel restrictions for U.S. visitors who have recently been in Guinea, effective Friday.In March, the Department of Homeland Security ordered that travelers who…

DRC: Pres Tshisekedi authorizes EU, Uganda troop deployment to battle rebels- reports

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi KINSHASA, May 15 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — European troops could be back on Congolese soil for the first time since 2006 as Kinshasa seeks to deliver a final blow to rebels wreaking havoc in its east.President Felix Tshisekedi has approached Brussels to…

Ivory Coast prime minister in hospital in France for “severe fatigue”

Ivory Coast Prime Minister Patrick Achi ABIDJAN, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ivory Coast Prime Minister Patrick Achi, 65, has been admitted to hospital in Paris for medical tests.Achi, a close confidant of President Alassane Ouattara, was named prime minister in March following the death of the West African cocoa producer’s…

Mali’s PM Moctar Ouane reappointed after resignation

Ouane was named prime minister in August BAMAKO, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mali’s interim government is set to form a new “broad-based” cabinet amid growing criticism of the army-dominated authorities in the Sahel state. Prime Minister Moctar Ouane resigned on Friday but was immediately reappointed to carry out the reshuffle,…

Covid-19: US states, cities scramble over federal no-mask guidance

People enjoy themselves in Bryant Park in New York, May 14 WASHINGTON, May 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — The latest decision by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to free fully vaccinated people from its mask guidance in most indoor and outdoor settings has set off a scramble across the…

Covid-19: Ohio lottery offers residents shot at $1m

Demand for Covid-19 vaccines have been falling across the US in recent weeks COLUMBUS (Ohio, US), May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US state of Ohio will award cash prizes of $1m to five recipients of Covid-19 vaccines as part of a lottery launched to boost flagging up-take of jabs. Ohio…