Covid-19: All Cyprus government ministers vaccinated with AstraZeneca jab

So far, just under 21 per cent of the population in Cyprus has been vaccinated at least once NICOSIA, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — To allay people’s fears about possible side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine, all ministers of the Cypriot government got publicly vaccinated with the controversial jab on Thursday.The…

Covid-19: Germany nears daily infections record amid calls for urgent action

Germany’s highest ever daily count was 33,777, in December BERLIN, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With the number of new coronavirus infections per day approaching its highest-ever levels, Germany officials and doctors are calling for rapid action to stem a third wave of the pandemic.On Thursday morning, the Robert Koch Institute…

Lesotho start-up becomes first African exporter of cannabis flower to EU

Lesotho has helped pioneer the nascent legal cannabis sector in Africa MASERU, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lesotho start-up MG Health has become the first African cannabis-grower to win European Union permission to export cannabis flower for medicinal use – which can range from relieving chronic pain to treating spasms caused…

About 80% of Nigerian town flees after three attacks in a week: UN

As many as 65,000 people have fled violence in the northeastern Nigerian town of Damasak ABUJA, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As many as 65,000 people have fled violence in the northeastern Nigerian town of Damasak, the United Nations said.The so-called Islamic State West Africa Province group unleashed a series of…

Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan talks fail to break Nile Dam deadlock

KHARTOUM, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The long-running dispute over Ethiopia’s mega-dam is still going nowhere.But Sudan’s prime minister has invited his Egyptian and Ethiopian counterparts for a closed meeting discussion.It comes after talks hosted by the African Union on Tuesday between Cairo and Adis Ababa failed to reach a binding…

Congo’s Pres Dennis Sassou-Nguesso sworn in for fifth term

oCongo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso has taken the oath of office for another term BRAZZAVILLE, April 17 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso on Friday has taken the oath of office for another term, extending his 36-year accumulated rule. The 77-year-old won 88.4 percent of the vote in the…

US shooting: 8 killed in US city of Indianapolis; gunman commit suicide

WASHINGTON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least eight people were killed in a shooting in the US city of Indianapolis by a gunman who is believed to have then killed himself, police said. The victims were all found at a Fedex facility near the international airport where the shooting took…

Pres Biden calls for US, Russia ‘to deescalate’ soon after announcing new sanctions against Russia

WASHINGTON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden said after announcing new sanctions against Russia that for both countries “now is the time to deescalate.” Biden described the sanctions, which are aimed at the Russian economy and dozens of individuals, as a “measured and proportionate” response to Moscow’s hostile actions…

Covid-19: Covax seeks $2 bn donations to cover vaccines; $400m raised so far

GENEVA, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Covax scheme launched a push for an extra $2 billion in donations, saying it needed the money in advance to reserve Covid-19 vaccine doses. The Covax facility ensures the 92 poorest participating economies can access coronavirus jabs, with the cost covered by donors. The…

UK summons Russian ambassador over ‘malign activity’

LONDON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain said it had summoned the Russian ambassador to express what it said was the country’s “deep concern at a pattern of malign activity”. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said that included “cyber intrusions, interference in democratic processes, and the build-up of military forces…