Covid-19: Brazil surpasses 330,000 deaths

Brazil has become the global epicentre of the pandemic in recent weeks BRASILIA, April 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Deaths from COVID-19 in Brazil surpassed 330,000 on Saturday after 1,987 new fatalities registered, bringing the country’s death toll to 330,193, the Ministry of Health reported. Besides, 43,515 new cases were registered, bringing…

Covid-19: Canada’s cases surpass 1 million

Canada is grappling with a third wave of cases amid the rapid spread of variants OTTAWA, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada hit a grim milestone on Saturday when the country officially surpassed one million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Canada recorded 6,937 total cases on Saturday evening…

Thousands join ‘kill the bill’ rallies across Britain against proposed protest law

Scuffles broke out in the evening between police and protesters at one gathering in central London LONDON, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of demonstrators joined rallies across Britain on Saturday as part of a “national weekend of action” against a proposed new law that would give police extra powers to…

US partially lifts visa sanctions on Sierra Leone

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State FREETOWN, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US government has announced the partial lifting of visa sanctions imposed on Sierra Leone over differences in the handling of deportees.The US mission in Freetown said Secretary of State Antony Blinken ordered the move in recognition of the…

AU calls for urgent action after Mozambique jihadist attack

A woman cries as she waits for her son to arrive in Pemba on April 1 MAPUTO, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union called for urgent and coordinated international action after a jihadist attack that killed dozens and uprooted thousands on the northern Mozambican coastal town of Palma.The jihadists…

IMF approves $2.34billion package for Kenya

Estimates show that Kenya faces US$2.6 billion in sovereign external debt WASHINGTON, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Monetary Fund on Friday said its board had approved new three-year financing arrangements for Kenya valued at $2.34 billion to help the African country continue responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and address…

1.4m face hunger as Kenya fights Covid, drought – State says

An estimated 1.4 million Kenyans are currently facing hunger, and the figure is likely to rise NAIROBI, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Millions of Kenyans are likely to face hunger due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the drought currently being experienced in parts of the country, the government…

Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict: World powers condemn ‘human rights abuses’

The G7 also called for immediate humanitarian access to the region  ADDIS ABABA, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The G7 group of leading economic powers has said it is “strongly concerned” by reports of human rights abuses in Ethiopia’s conflict-hit Tigray region. The group, which includes the UK, US and the EU, called for…

Al-Shabaab attacks two key Somali bases, both repelled: army

MOGADISHU, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Al-Shabaab fighters attacked two key military bases in Somalia Saturday, detonating car bombs at both locations before engaging in an intense gun battle, an army official and witnesses said. The attacks happened in the southern region of Lower Shabelle on bases in the towns of…

Update: Seven deaths in UK among AstraZeneca jab recipients after blood clots – Medical regulator

People relax in small groups in Hyde Park in central London on April 2,as life continues following an easing of the coronavirus restrictions to allow people from more than one household to meet outdoors LONDON, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK medical regulator said Saturday that out of 30 people…