Breaking news: Casualties feared in suicide car bombing in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — An unknown number of people are feared dead and others injured when a suicide bomber drove into a checkpoint in the Somali capital Mogadishu Saturday, police said. — NNN-XINHUA

Covid-19: Chile’s president gets first dose of Chinese vaccine, delivers message of confidence

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera shows his vaccination record SANTIAGO, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera received the first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac against the novel coronavirus disease, along with those aged 71 and over. While visiting a community healthcare center in…

Draghi accepts mandate as Italy’s new PM, unveils new cabinet

ROME, Jan 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — Former president of the European Central Bank (ECB) Mario Draghi officially accepted the mandate to lead the new Italian government as Prime Minister. Draghi announced his decision early Friday evening, after a 45-minute talk with President Sergio Mattarella, from whom he had received the task…

China’s TikTok becomes global sponsor of Euro 2020

NYON (Switzerland), Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Short-form mobile video app TikTok has become a global sponsor of the Euro 2020 tournament, European ruling body UEFA said.TikTok are the first digital entertainment platform to sponsor a major international UEFA tournament.“Over the coming months, we are really looking forward to working closely…

Covid-19: US House committee approves another US$14 billion for pandemic-hit airlines

U.S. airlines are burning through millions of dollars as the pandemic crushes travel demand WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US House committee approved a proposal to give airlines another US$14 billion in payroll assistance as part of a broader COVID-19 relief package that is working its way through Congress.It would be…

Covid-19: Patient sets fire to Spanish hospital room trying to escape

MADRID, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A COVID-19 patient caused panic when he set fire to his mattress while trying to escape a hospital in the southern Spanish city of Cadiz.The 63-year-old man set fire to his mattress in his room on the sixth floor of the Puerta del Mar University Hospital on…

Covid-19: Africa records 40% increase in deaths over past month

Africa’s overall fatality rates were lower than those elsewhere in the world during the first stage BRAZZAVILLE, Feb 13 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Africa has seen a 40% increase in Covid-19 deaths over the past month compared to the previous 30 days, and is now approaching the 100,000 mark.The spike in deaths…

Ethiopia unrest: Tigray ‘one step from famine’ – EU

The country has been involved in a three-month-long conflict BRUSSELS, Feb 13 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The European Commission warned that the Tigray region of Ethiopia could be approaching a famine, as the country’s three-month-long conflict continued.The region is largely cut off from the world as fighting enters the fourth month.European Commissioner…

2,500 Zambians to be compensated by UK miner over water pollution

Issued in 2015, the claim centered on pollution caused by the Nchanga Copper Mine LONDON, Feb 13 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Over 2,500 villagers in Zambia are to be financially compensated by a British mining company for significant water pollution to the region’s waterways.In a joint statement issued late last month, the…

Pres Biden cancels funding for Trump border wall

Construction of the border wall takes place in Arizona  WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden has rescinded the national emergency order used to fund Donald Trump’s border wall. In a letter to Congress, Biden wrote that the order was “unwarranted” and said that no further tax dollars will be…