Covid-19: New Zealand says vaccinations ‘small step in long journey’

WELLINGTON, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New Zealand launched its Covid-19 vaccination programme over the weekend but warned the initial rollout was only a small step in the long battle against the pandemic. The Pacific nation has been widely praised for its handling of the coronavirus and has seen just 26…

Six Mexican military personnel killed in air crash

MEXICO CITY, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six military personnelhave died after the airplane they were traveling in crashed on takeoff ineastern Mexico, the defense secretariat said. The Airforce LearJet 45 crashed at around 1545 GMT Sunday after taking off from Emiliano Zapata in Veracruz state, the secretariat said in a…

Covid-19: US nears 500,000 deaths as globally, figure approaching 2.5 million

WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States stood on the brink of recording 500,000 Covid-related deaths since the start of thepandemic, while nations globally pressed on with vaccination rollouts,including with Australia giving its first shots. The catastrophic US toll comes as some signs of hope are emerging in theworld’s…

Covid-19: Israel starts reopening with vaccine “passports”

Israel reopened large parts of its economy on Sunday after an almost two-month COVID-19 lockdown JERUSALEM, Feb 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Israel reopened large parts of its economy on Sunday after an almost two-month COVID-19 lockdown, using “Green Pass” to lift some restrictions for vaccinated people while maintaining several bans on…

Algerian president partially reshuffles cabinet, dissolves lower house of parliament

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ALGIERS, Feb 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made a partial cabinet reshuffle, and signed a decree to dissolve the National People’s Assembly (lower house of Parliament). Tebboune on Sunday signed a decree to partially reshuffle the cabinet, noting that Abdelaziz Djerad has been maintained…

GIBRALTAR: Four injured on Hong Kong-registered cargo vessel explosion, two transferred to Seville burns unit

Four crew members were injured in the incident aboard the Hong Kong-flagged 120,600-dwt CSSC Cape Town GIBRALTAR, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two crew members who sustained severe burn injuries during an explosion on a Hong Kong-registered bulk carrier on Friday evening have been transferred to Seville’s burns unit as more…

Covid-19: Americans could still need to wear masks in 2022, says Fauci

Dr Anthony Fauci WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Americans may still need to wear masks in 2022 to protect against the coronavirus, said Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. Fauci said even as the United States may reach “a significant degree of normality” by the end of this…

Covid-19: Gaza Strip receives 20,000 doses of vaccines funded by UAE

Medical workers unload COVID-19 vaccines from a truck at Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah GAZA, Feb 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — A total of 20,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines, funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), arrived in the Gaza Strip on Sunday…

IAEA reaches temporary agreement with Iran on nuclear verification

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) meets with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi (R) in Tehran VIENNA/TEHRAN, Feb 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reached a temporary bilateral understanding with Iran to salvage the nuclear deal for now, said its…

Covid-19: Canada, US extend closure of shared border to March 21

OTTAWA, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada’s border with the United Stateswill remain closed to all non-essential travelers until March 21, PublicSafety Minister Bill Blair announced. “Non-essential travel restrictions with the United States have beenextended until March 21st, 2021,” he said in a Twitter message. “We will continue to base our…