Covid-19: German authorities agree to declare strict lockdown

BERLIN, Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany’s federal and regional authorities agreed to announce a major new nationwide lockdown no later than Wednesday following talks involving chiefs of staff of the federal and local governments. According to the Business Insider portal, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration insists on introducing a new…

Ukraine seeks World Heritage status for Chernobyl zone

CHERNOBYL (Ukraine), Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A soft snow fell as a clutch of visitors equipped with a Geiger counter wandered through the ghostly Ukrainian town of Pripyat, frozen in time since the world’s worst nuclear accident in 1986. More than three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster forced thousands…

Libya 4WD road warriors on bumpy ride to revive tourism

TRIPOLI, Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A road trip through Libya’s desert would long have sounded like a holiday in hell but, two months into a ceasefire, adventurous travellers are exploring the Sahara by four-wheel drive. Foreigners are still staying clear of the country after a decade of war — but…

DR Congo: Six killed, 24 abducted in militant attack

BENI (DR Congo), Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six people were killed and 24 others abducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s troubled east, local officials said after an attack blamed on the notorious ADF militia. The violence happened in Beni, North Kivu province, territorial administrator Donat Kibwana said. Twenty four…

Covid-19: WHO warns Christmas celebrations could turn to Covid tears

People shop for a Christmas tree at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox church in Washington, DC, two weeks before Christmas GENEVA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) –: The World Health Organisation warned that Christmas celebrations could turn to tears if people fail to keep up their guard against Covid-19 during the festive season.…

Covid-19: Peru suspends clinical trials of Chinese vaccine

LIMA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Peru has temporarily suspended clinicaltrials of a Covid vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm afterdetecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers. The National Institute of Health said Friday that it had decided tointerrupt the trial after a volunteer had difficulty moving their…

Covid-19: Canada, US border to stay closed until Jan 21

OTTAWA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The longest international border in theworld, between Canada and the United States, will remain closed until Jan21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcedFriday. “Canada and the United States agreed today to keep our shared border closed until Jan 21,” Trudeau told…

Liberia senate election: Opposition candidates lead in early results

MONROVIA, Dec 12 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Provisional results from LIberia’s Special Senatorial elections have put four candidates from the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) in an early significant lead. The results are seen as a big blow to President George Weah’s ruling party the Congress for Democratic Change. The Elections Commission…

ICC prosecutor seeks full war crimes probe into Nigerian conflict

THE HAGUE, Dec 12 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court prosecutor said she had enough evidence to open a full probe into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Nigeria. The announcement comes after almost a decade of preliminary investigations into the violence in northeastern…

Ethiopia unrest: Army says 1,000 captured senior military officers freed

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 12 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Ethiopia said that its joint forces have freed more than 1,000 senior military officers and soldiers who had been held hostage for weeks by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Major-General Mohammed Tessema, Director-General of the National Defence Force Indoctrination, said among those freed…