Covid-19: South Africa’s vaccine rollout outperforming initial schedule

PRETORIA, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s immunization campaign is going in advance of its initial targets in administering shots of the COVID-19 vaccine made by the US Johnson & Johnson company to healthcare staff, the National Department of Health reported. “Within just over one week, from a standing start,…

Four men shot dead in South Africa

CAPE TOWN (South Africa), Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four men aged between 30 to 64 were shot dead and another was injured Saturday at Mitchells Plain near Cape Town, said South African police. “The victims were shot and killed at close range while a 37-year-old male victim escaped the attack…

Bolivian vice minister dies from COVID-19

LA PAZ, Feb 28 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Bolivian government said Gonzalo Rodriguez, vice minister in charge of fighting smuggling, has died from the novel coronavirus. According to officials, Rodriguez was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago after contracting the disease. His situation eventually worsened and he passed away on…

Eritrea urges Sudan, Ethiopia to resolve disputes in peaceful manner

President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea KHARTOUM, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki called on Sudan and Ethiopia to solve recent disputes in a peaceful manner.This came as a high-level Eritrean delegation, composed of the country’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and Presidential Adviser Yemane Ghebreab, met in Khartoum,…

Armenia crisis grows as president blocks bid to fire army chief

Thousands of opposition protesters took to the streets of the capital Saturday YEREVAN, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Armenian President Armen Sarkisian said Saturday he had refused to sign a prime ministerial order to dismiss the army’s chief of staff, deepening an entrenched national political crisis. The move came as several…

US needs migrant labor, Mexican president to tell Biden

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (L) and US President Joe Biden MEXICO CITY, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that in a virtual meeting Monday with President Joe Biden he will emphasise how important migrant labor is to the US economy. Speaking at a…

Expelled EU envoy to leave Venezuela on Tuesday

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister presented EU Ambassador Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa with a letter declaring her ‘persona non grata’ and giving her 72 hours to leave the country CARACAS, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — EU ambassador to Caracas, Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa, will leave Venezuela on Tuesday (Mar 2) after being expelled by the…

Covid-19: Czech Republic counts on Sputnik V vaccine supplies as soon as possible

PRAGUE, Feb 28 (NNN-TASS) — Czech Republic counts on supplies ofRussia’s Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus in the near future. President Milos Zeman told the local CNN Prima on Saturday that hehad sent a letter to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin with a request todeliver the vaccine to the republic…

US authorizes J&J Covid vaccine for emergency use

WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States on Saturdayauthorized Johnson & Johnson’s Covid vaccine for emergency use, giving the nation a third shot to battle the outbreak that has killed more than 500,000 Americans. The single-shot vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe Covid-19,including against newer variants, the Food…

Covid-19: Spain announces another aid package for battered sectors

MADRID, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s government announced that it would spend another 11 billion euros to support small- and medium-sized companies as well as the self-employed in sectors which have been particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.The tourism, gastronomy, leisure and retail industries are now “in an extremely difficult…