Covid-19: Global death toll passes two million

PARIS, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The global death toll from Covid-19surpassed two million on Friday, with the World Health Organization (WHO) urging mass vaccinations as the pandemic progresses at a record pace. As of 1825 GMT on Friday, at least 2,000,066 people worldwide had beenconfirmed dead of the virus that…

Covid-19: UN head warns of ‘vaccinationalism’ as virus deaths top two million

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres deplored the “heart-wrenching milestone” of the global death toll from Covid-19 topping two million, and lamented the fact that “solidarity is failing” in the world’s response to the virus. “Today we are seeing a vaccine vacuum,” the UN head…

Covid-19: Northern Brazilian state declares curfew over virus

SAO PAULO, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Amazonas state in northern Brazil announced a 10-day curfew to try to slow the spread of thecoronavirus, as cases soar and hospitals run out of beds and oxygen. Authorities warned of a dire situation across the vast state. In itscapital Manaus, the health system…

US ‘deeply troubled’ by reports of violence, irregularities in Uganda poll: State Dept

WASHINGTON, Jan 17, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The US State Department said it is “deeply troubled” by reports of violence and irregularities surrounding Uganda’s presidential election, which saw Yoweri Museveni win a sixth term in office. “The Ugandan people turned out to vote in multiparty national elections on January 14 despite…

Ethiopia unrest: Returning displaced persons find Tigray homes, infrastructure looted, damaged: UN

Ethiopian refugees await transfer at a border reception centre in Hamdayet, Sudan  UNITED NATIONS, Jan 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — Displaced persons who are returning to Ethiopia’s conflict-stricken Tigray region find their homes, government buildings and infrastructure looted and damaged or destroyed, UN humanitarians said. Two joint needs assessment missions were deployed…

South Korean court orders Japan to compensate former sex slaves

SEOUL, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A South Korean court on Friday ordered the Japanese government to pay compensation to 12 World War II sex slaves or their families, in an unprecedented ruling likely to infuriate Tokyo. The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Japan should pay the victims100 million won…

China draws comparison between storming of US Capitol, HK protests

Capitol police look on as pro-Trump protesters attempt to storm the US Capitol BEIJING, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China drew a comparison on Thursday between the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump and last year’s often-violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong but noted that no…

EU “highly concerned” over Iran’s uranium enrichment programme

BRUSSELS, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union (EU) is “highly concerned” over Iran’s decision to start enriching uranium with 20 percent purity, a spokesperson said.Peter Stano, a spokesperson for the bloc’s external action service, said at the European Commission’s daily briefing that Iran’s decision was “regrettable.”Iran started production of…

Opposition parties in Ivory Coast to take part in coming legislative polls after boycotting last presidential elections

President Alassane Ouattara ABIDJAN, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A coalition of opposition parties in Ivory Coast said they would participate in legislative elections slated for March 6.The announcement further eases political tensions after deadly clashes. The two main opposition parties, the Ivory Coast Democratic Party (PDCI) and Ivorian Popular Front…

African Union, UN hails Gulf diplomatic rapprochement

ADDIS ABABA, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union hailed the diplomatic rapprochement to end a blockade against the Gulf nation of Qatar.“I wish to commend Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain for restoring full diplomatic ties with the state of Qatar,” tweeted Chairperson of the African Union…