Covid-19: Canada bans flights to Caribbean and Mexico

OTTAWA, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a new agreement with airlines to suspend travel to the Caribbean and Mexico due to Covid-19. The country’s main airlines, including Air Canada and WestJet, will end service immediately and organise return travel for those currently abroad. The government will also…

Britain to apply to join Asia-Pacific free trade bloc

  LONDON, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain said it is to apply to join a massive 11-nation free-trade bloc of Asia-Pacific countries this week, not long after quitting the European Union’s single market. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will formally request Monday for Britain to join the Comprehensive and Progressive…

US warns of response after military detains Myanmar officials; UN condemns detention

WASHINGTON, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– The United States urged Myanmar’s military to release detained officials, including de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and warned of a response from Washington. “The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will…

Covid-19: Brazil registers 27,756 cases, bringing total to over 9.2 million as Cuba sees surge

BRASILIA, Feb 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil has registered 27,756 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), for a total of 9,204,731, as well as another 559 deaths, bringing the death toll to 224,504, the Ministry of Health reported. Brazil is second in the world in number of deaths from the disease,…

Covid-19: AstraZeneca to increase EU vaccine deliveries by 30 percent as Germany threatens legal action over vaccine delays

BERLIN, Feb 1 (NNN-BSS/AFP) – AstraZeneca will deliver 30 percent more coronavirus vaccine doses to the EU than it pledged last week, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said. The company will send 9 million additional doses and “will start deliveries one week earlier than scheduled”, Von der Leyen…

At least 3 killed, 6 injured in Mogadishu hotel attack: security sources

23 MOGADISHU, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A militant attack on a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu Sunday has left at least three people dead, a security source said. “So far three people, two of them civilians, and a security guard ware confirmed dead, but the death toll could be…

Over 2,100 detained as opposition demos grip Russia for second week

MOSCOW, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 2,100 people have been detained at Sunday demonstrations across Russia in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, with the number set to rise as security forces act to contain the unrest.More than 470 were taken into custody in Moscow alone, according to the…

Covid-19: Belgium, Austria ban anti-lockdown protests, show of solidarity for Portugal

A protestor arrested in Belgium BERLIN, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Austria and Germany said they will provide help to Portugal, which is grappling with skyrocketing coronavirus cases, as some EU states banned demonstrations over Covid-19 restrictions amid unrest in Vienna, Brussels and Budapest. Austria is to take patients from Portugal who need intensive care, Chancellor Sebastian…

Covid-19: South Africa police seize haul of ‘miracle’ anti-coronavirus drug

Tablets of a drug some people claim could be a remedy against coronavirus JOHANNESBURG, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Custom officials at South Africa’s main international airport have seized hundreds of thousands of tablets of a drug some people claim could be a remedy against Coronavirus.The South African Police Service (SAPS) said…

South Sudan government ‘finally’ approves establishment of war crimes AU hybrid court

JUBA, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Sudan approved the establishment of the long-awaited African Union Hybrid Court enshrined in the 2018 revitalized peace deal to try war crimes committed during the more than six years of conflict.Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information and Broadcasting said the cabinet has authorized Rueben…