Covid-19: UK vaccination rate hits record daily high, total deaths at 97,329

NHS vaccination centre in York LONDON, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain vaccinated 478,248 people in the 24 hours to Saturday with a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, a daily record according to government figures, as the total death toll from the virus nears the 100,000 mark, standing at 97,329.…

Ocean Viking rescuers pick up 374 migrants off Libya including month-old baby

The Ocean Viking was released by Italian authorities in December MARSEILLES (France), Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 350 migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast by the Ocean Viking humanitarian vessel in just two days, a European NGO running the boat said. SOS Mediterranee said that “106 people…

Portuguese brave COVID-19 lockdown for Jan 24 presidential polls

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is firm favourite for re-election LISBON, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Portuguese voters have been asked to venture out despite the country’s pandemic lockdown on Sunday (Jan 24) for a presidential election widely expected to see incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa win another term. Polls point to…

Covid-19: Top Spanish general resigns over allegations of vaccination queue-jumping

Spanish Chief of the Defence Staff (JEMAD), General Miguel Angel Villarroya MADRID, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s top general resigned on Saturday after allegations he had received the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of priority groups, one of a number of public officials who have sparked public anger because of reports they…

Covid-19: Colombia’s cases top 2 million

A vendor wearing a face mask waits for customers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bogota BOGOTA, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Colombia registered 15,551 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 2,002,969, said the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The country reported 396 more…

Two earthquakes rock central, southern Chile

SANTIAGO, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale hit the Magallanes and Antarctica region in the south of Chile on Saturday evening, with no reported casualties or damage to infrastructure. According to the National Seismological Center at the University of Chile, the quake was felt…

Bad weather: Cargo ship loses 750 containers en route from China to US ports

Maersk Essen on a prior call in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — AP Moller-Maersk, one of the world’s biggest integrated container logistics company, confirmed one of its container ships from China to the United States lost several hundred containers during rough sea conditions in the Pacific Ocean.…

Nigeria: 35 killed in Zamfara villages attack

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle GUSAU (Zamfara, Nigeria), Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Emir of Maru in the Nigerian state of Zamfara, Alhaji Abubakar Gado Maigari, has confirmed that 35 people were killed by unidentified gunmen during an attack on five villages in his emirate.The Emir was briefing Governor Bello…

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,…