Covid-19: UK strain detected in at least 60 countries – WHO

GENEVA, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK coronavirus strain has been detected in at least 60 countries, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, 10 more than a week ago. With the global death toll now well past two million, and new variants of the virus causing deep concern, countries across…

Covid-19: Britain, Portugal reports record daily deaths

An elderly couple arrive at a Covid-19 vaccination centre LONDON/LISBON, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain reported a record number of deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday with 1,610 people dying within 28 days of positive coronavirus test, exceeding the previous peak set last week. The number was steeply up from the…

Spain declares disaster-zone status for Madrid, other storm-hit regions

People walk along Paseo Castellana covered with snow in Madrid MADRID, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s government classified Madrid and other regions struck by Storm Filomena last week as disaster zones, a move which will trigger emergency subsidies and other support measures. This came as the Madrid regional government warned…

Tunisia seeks to stem wave of night-time street riots

Tunisian security officers detain a protester during an anti-government demonstration on the Habib Bourguiba avenue in the capital Tunis TUNIS, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisia braced for further protests after hundreds were arrested in four nights of streets clashes between riot police and disaffected youths in cities across the North…

Covid-19: Cash-strapped Venezuela cannot join COVAX vaccine programme, PAHO says

Being locked out of Covax will leave Venezuela dependent on the Russian vaccine at a time when health services are collapsing MEXICO CITY/CARACAS, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The timeline has closed for Venezuela to join the COVAX facility for COVID-19 vaccines, an official with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said,…

US exempts UN, aid groups from effort to cut off Yemen’s Houthis

Workers prepare foodstuff at a food distribution center supported by the World Food Program in Sanaa, Yemen WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States exempted aid groups, the United Nations, the Red Cross and the export of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices from its designation of Yemen’s Houthi…

US presidential inauguration: 12 National Guard troops removed from guard duty after vetting

Officials say the National Guard members were removed because of “security liabilities” WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A dozen members of the US National Guard have been removed from securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration after vetting by the FBI, including two who made extremist statements in posts or texts about…

US declares China committing ‘genocide’ against Uighurs

Ethnic Uighur demonstrators take part in a protest against China in Istanbul, Turkey WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States declared that China is carrying out genocide against the Uighurs and other mostly Muslim people, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dramatically raising pressure over Beijing’s sweeping incarceration of minorities…

Libya urges joint int’l efforts against illegal immigration

TRIPOLI, Jan 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — Al-Mabrouk Abdulhafith, head of the Libyan Anti-Illegal Immigration Department, on Tuesday called for joint international efforts to resolve the issue of illegal immigration. Abdulhafith made his remarks during a meeting with German Ambassador to Libya Oliver Owcza, according to a statement issued by the Libyan…

Ethiopia unrest: Humanitarian access to Tigray still faces obstacles – UN

The Tigray region faces some of the toughest development challenges in Ethiopia UNITED NATIONS, Jan 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — UN humanitarian access to Ethiopia’s conflict-stricken Tigray region still faces obstacles, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Although movements of humanitarian cargo inside Tigray are improving substantially,…