US promises ‘much more’ vaccine aid, puts envoy in charge

WASHINGTON, April 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States will soon be able to ramp up vaccine assistance abroad and will not seek “favors in return,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, putting a veteran aid administrator in charge. Blinken said the top US priority was to fight Covid-19 at home…

More than 1,800 prisoners escape after attack on Nigeria jail: official

Police have accused the banned separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, of carrying out the attack ABUJA, April 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 1,800 inmates have escaped after heavily armed gunmen attacked a prison in southwest Nigeria, correctional authorities said. The attackers used explosives to blast their way into…

EU chiefs in rare Turkey visit to revamp relations

ANKARA, April 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union’s top two officials will pay a rare visit on Tuesday to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aimed at testing his avowed commitment to improve uneasy ties. Years of disagreements over a growing list of issues threatened to boil over last summer when…

Russia: Pres Putin signs law allowing him to serve two more terms

MOSCOW, April 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has given final approval to legislation allowing him to hold office for two additional six-year terms, opening the possibility for him to stay in power until 2036. The 68-year-old Russian leader, who has already been in power for more than two…

Ukrainian president, British PM discuss security situation in eastern Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Boris Johnson KIEV, April 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the aggravation of the situation in eastern Ukraine with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson through a telephone conversation, the press service of the President’s office reported on Monday night. According to the President’s office,…

Serbia, Greece, Cyprus vow to enhance trilateral ties

Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic and Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulidis meet in Belgrade BELGRADE, April 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Foreign ministers of Serbia, Greece and Cyprus met in Belgrade on Monday, vowing to improve economic cooperation and stimulate development. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and…

Covid-19: Brazil’s cases exceed 13 mln

BRASILIA, April 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil reported 28,645 new COVID-19 infections and 1,319 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 13,013,601 and the national death toll to 332,752, the Health Ministry said on Monday. The South American country is one of the global epicenters of the…

Mozambique reclaims town of Palma from militants, army says

Families wait outside the port of Pemba for the boat of evacuees from the coasts MAPUTO, April 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mozambique’s military says it has regained full control of the coastal town of Palma 12 days after it was raided by militants who are affiliated with the Daesh group.An army…

Covid-19: Clinical trials begin for 2 vaccines developed locally in Nigeria

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari Receives his first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca ABUJA, April 6 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Nigeria has begun clinical trials for the two covid-19 vaccines developed in the country.Chairman of the presidential task force on covid-19, Boss Mustapha told reporters that the vaccines will be used after the completion…

Covid-19: Tests to be offered twice-weekly to all in England

 LONDON, April 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Everyone in England is to be given access to two rapid coronavirus tests a week from Friday, under an extension of the government’s testing programme. The lateral flow kits, which can provide results in around 30 minutes, will be available for free at testing sites, pharmacies and through…