Update: Cape Verde leader declares victory after vote dominated by pandemic

PRAIA, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cape Verde’s prime minister declared victory after results showed his party on course to win legislative elections dominated by the Covid pandemic and its impact on a tourism-dependent economy. “It’s a great victory, the victory of Cape-Verde,” Ulisses Correia e Silva said as jubilant supporters…

Covid-19’s global developments: US hits vaccine milestone as NZealand, Australia open travel bubble

WASHINGTON, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The hard-hit United States has passed a hopeful milestone as half its adults have had at least one Covid vaccine dose and from Monday all its over 18s will be eligible to get their shot. The positive news from America — the world’s hardest-hit country…

EU foreign ministers to meet on Navalny health as tensions with Russia soar

BRUSSELS, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — EU foreign ministers are set to meet virtually Monday for talks on the health of dissident Alexei Navalny, as the United States warned Moscow of “consequences” if the Kremlin critic dies in prison and tensions soared over a Russian military build-up on Ukraine’s border. Doctors…

Covid-19: Number of patients in French intensive care edges up

PARIS, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units in France edged up on Sunday, the health ministry said, amid a nationwide lockdown to try to stem a third wave of infections. Health ministry data showed that 5,893 people were in intensive care units with…

US: Two dead in Tesla crash in Texas that was believed to be driverless

A Tesla vehicle is covered in tarp after it crashed in The Woodlands, Texas HOUSTON, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two men died after a Tesla vehicle, which was believed to be operating without anyone in the driver’s seat, crashed into a tree on Saturday night north of Houston, authorities said.…

Top US envoy: Terror threat has ‘moved’ from Afghanistan

Blinken met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul WASHINGTON, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the US decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, saying the terror threat had moved elsewhere and that Washington needed to refocus resources on challenges such as China and the pandemic. President Joe Biden…

Covid-19: Britain is investigating variant originating in India

Health workers carry the body of a man, who died from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), from an ambulance for burial at a graveyard in New Delhi, India LONDON, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British health officials are investigating a COVID-19 variant originating in India but as yet they do not have…

Covid-19: North Macedonia’s lawmakers adopt coronavirus-relief package

SKOPJE, April 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — Lawmakers in North Macedonia’s parliament voted unanimously in favor of the fifth coronavirus-relief package worth 156 million euros, according to Media Information Agency. The package includes a set of measures in support of self-employed citizens and employers for the payment of salaries of February and…

Historic structures damaged, 2 firefighters injured in South Africa’s Table Mountain fire

Heavy smoke rises from Table Mountain in Cape Town CAPE TOWN, April 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — Historical structures including a 300-year-old windmill and private homes were damaged by the raging fire that broke out on Table Mountain, South Africa on Sunday morning, which also injured at least two firefighters, authorities said.…

Ecuador’s electoral body proclaims Lasso winner of presidential runoff

Ecuadorean presidential candidate Guillermo Lasso (C) speaks to the press as he celebrates his victory QUITO, April 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Ecuador proclaimed Guillermo Lasso as the winner of the second round of presidential elections held on April 11, with 52.36 percent of votes. Lasso,…