Covid-19: Namibia, Botswana vow to jointly fight covid, facilitate cross-border trade

Crew of a fishing vessel offload fish at the port of Walvis Bay, Namibia. Access to the cargo port is important for landlocked Botswana, Namibia’s neighbor to the east WINDHOEK, Jan 30 (NNN-XINHUA) — Namibia and Botswana agreed to work closely in the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as well as cross-border trade. The…

Italy makes permanent arms sale freeze to Saudi Arabia

ROME, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy revoked approval for arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over the conflict in Yemen, making permanent an 18-month temporary suspension. “Today I am announcing that the government has revoked the authorisations underway for the export of missiles and aircraft bombs…

Covid-19: First vaccine administered in Bolivia

SANTA CRUZ (Bolivia), Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) – A nurse on Friday became the first person in Bolivia to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, receiving a shot of Russia’s Sputnik V. Sandra Rios Villarte, 40, sat for her first dose at a public hospital inSanta Cruz, followed by dozens of other…

Security Council extends mandate of peacekeeping force in Cyprus until July 31

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations Security Council on Friday extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for a further period ending on July 31, 2021. Unanimously adopting Resolution 2561, the 15-member organ added that it fully supports the secretary-general’s decision to convene an…

Central African Republic: 200,000 displaced in less than two months

A refugee mother from Central African Republic sits with her children beside a makeshift shelter in Ndu village, DRC UNITED NATIONS, Jan 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — More than 200,000 people have fled violence and insecurity in the Central African Republic (CAR) in the last two months, a UN spokesman said. “More…

Covid-19: First Cuban health worker dies from virus

HAVANA, Jan 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cuba has lost its first health worker due to COVID-19 amid the government’s efforts to contain the sharpest rise in infections since the pandemic began, the country’s Ministry of Public Health reported. “A 49-year-old male doctor from Havana died of COVID-19,” said the ministry, reporting…

DR Congo’s Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga resigns after censure

DR Congo’s prime minister, Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba KINSHASA, Jan 30 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — DR Congo’s prime minister, Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba, resigned on Friday, a move enabling President Felix Tshisekedi to appoint his own premier supported by a new parliamentary majority. Ilunga, a close ally to former president Joseph Kabila whose supporters…

Dutch court orders Shell to pay Nigerian farmers over oil spills

The farmers first sued Shell in 2008 over pollution in their villages Goi, Oruma and Ikot Ada Udo THE HAGUE, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Dutch court ordered oil giant Shell to pay compensation in a case brought by four Nigerian farmers who alleged widespread pollution on their land.After 13…

Covid-19: Rwanda ranked first in Africa, sixth globally in coronavirus management

Rwanda has increased its testing capacity with over 4,000 tests daily KIGALI, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rwanda has been ranked first in Africa and sixth globally in managing the Covid-19 pandemic and making the information accessible to the public.The Australian think tank Lowy Institute ranked a total of 98 countries…

US first lady to help reunite migrant kids with parents

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US first lady Jill Biden willparticipate in efforts by her husband’s administration to reunite familiessplit apart by former president Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, the White House said. In line with his campaign promises, President Joe Biden plans to announceon Tuesday “his launch of a…