Covid-19: Zimbabwe loses another minister; four ministers died so far

Pallbearers carry the coffin of a government minister Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba who died of covid at the Heroes Acre on Jan 21 HARARE, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Another minister serving in the Zimbabwean government died of the Coronavirus on Friday, prompting the country to announce plans to further tighten lockdown…

Russia: Police clash with opposition supporters as tens of thousands rally throughout country

MOSCOW, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police clashed violently with protesters and arrested more than 2,500 demonstrators in cities across the country Saturday as Russians took to the streets to denounce Kremlin rule and demand the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Tens of thousands nationwide answered Navalny’s call to rally,…

British PM Johnson, US Pres Biden discuss ‘deepening alliance’: PM’s office

LONDON, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US Pres Joe Biden vowed to deepen ties and cooperate on tackling climate change in their first conversation since the US president’s inauguration, the British prime minister’s office said. Johnson congratulated Biden on his inauguration and “the two leaders…

Venezuela: Pres Maduro says willing to establish ‘new path’ with US

CARACAS, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he was willing to “turn the page” with the US under President JoeBiden, calling for a “new path” after years of tension with Donald Trump’sWhite House. “We are willing to walk a new path in our relations with Joe Biden’sgovernment…

Central African Republic declares emergency as rebels surround capital Bangui: UN

Rwandan troops are among a contingent of UN peacekeepers deployed to support the government  BANGUI, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The Central African Republic (CAR) has declared a state of emergency as the army and UN forces try to repel advancing rebel groups who want to overthrow the government. The anti-government fighters, who now…

Covid-19: EU vaccine woes mount as new delays emerge

BRUSSELS, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A second coronavirus vaccine manufacturer has warned of supply issues to the European Union, compounding frustration in the bloc. AstraZeneca said a production problem meant the number of initial doses available would be lower than expected. The fresh blow comes after some nations’ inoculation programmes were slowed due…

Covid-19: WHO says fabric facemasks still work against virus variants

GENEVA, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization said it had no plans to change its guidance recommending fabric facemasks as new coronavirus variants spread, because the mutated strains are transmitted in the same way. Germany and Austria have made medical masks mandatory on public transport and in shops…

Covid-19: Belarus reports 1,748 new cases, total reaches 235,859

MINSK, Jan 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — Belarus reported 1,748 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, taking its total to 235,859, according to the country’s health ministry. There have been 2,081 new recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 220,912, the ministry added. So far, 1,639 people have died of…

Ugandan peacekeepers kill 189 militants in SW Somalia

KAMPALA, Jan 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ugandan peacekeepers killed 189 al-Shabaab militants and arrested two senior commanders in an offensive in the volatile Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Friday. Lt Col Deo Akiiki, Uganda’s deputy military spokesperson in a statement issued here said Uganda’s contingent of African Union Mission in Somalia…

Covid-19: Uruguay acquired Pfizer and Sinovac vaccines; ongoing negotiation for other vaccines

MONTEVIDEO, Jan 23 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Uruguayan president Luis Lacalle Pou announced that a deal for the purchase of Pfizer/BioNTech and China’s Sinovac anti Covid-19 vaccines has been reached. “The government has just finished an agreement with Pfizer and Sinovac for the supply of vaccines to our country. At the same…