Covid-19: China hails its ‘extraordinary’ success curbing virus ahead of WHO probe

BEIJING, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China’s ruling Communist Party leaders have congratulated themselves on their “extremely extraordinary” success in handling the Covid-19 outbreak domestically, ahead of a World Health Organization probe into the disease’s origins. China faced a barrage of criticism at home and abroad over its initial handling of…

Millions of Americans lose jobless benefits as Pres Trump refuses to sign aid bill

WASHINGTON, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Millions of Americans saw their jobless benefits expire on Saturday after President Donald Trump refused to sign into law a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package, protesting that it did not do enough to help everyday people. Trump stunned Republicans and Democrats alike when…

Germany shooting: Four injured in Berlin shooting

BERLIN, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four people were injured in a shooting early Saturday in Germany’s capital Berlin, the fire service said. A police spokeswoman said four people were taken to the hospital following an altercation involving several people in the Kreuzberg district. The shooting took place in a gateway on Stresemannstraße,…

Death toll from armed attack in western Ethiopia climbs to 207: rights group

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 26 (NNN-Xinhua) — The death toll from the recent armed attack in western Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz regional state has risen to 207, the country’s federal rights group confirmed. Among the victims were 133 adult men, 35 adult women, some 20 elderly persons as well as 17 children, one…

Kenya opens sanctuary for endangered antelope

There are less than 100 Mountain Bongo antelope left in the wild across the world NAIROBI, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With less than 100 of the critically endangered Mountain Bongo antelope left in the wild across the world, Kenya recently launched a campaign to save the rare African antelope.The Ministry…

UN ends peacekeeping mission in Sudan

Unamid troops from Tanzania deployed in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, conducting a routine patrol KHARTOUM, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council has ended the peacekeeping mission in Sudan, adding another international trait to Khartoum as it rebuilds from years of war and isolation.The decision reached on Tuesday night…

Covid-19: US will require negative tests for all UK passengers; France reports first case of UK variant

US require all airline passengers arriving from UK to test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours of departure starting Monday WASHINGTON/PARIS, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US government will require all airline passengers arriving from the United Kingdom to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure starting Monday amid…

Covid-19: South Africa rejects claim its variant more dangerous than UK strain

South Africa is the country hit hardest by coronavirus on the continent.PHOTO: REUTERS PRETORIA, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s health minister has rejected his British counterpart’s claim that a new coronavirus variant in the country is more contagious or dangerous than a similar one in spreading the UK. “At…

Storm: Over 100,000 New Yorkers suffer from power loss on Christmas

NEW YORK, Dec 26 (NNN-XINHUA) — More than 100,000 New Yorkers woke up Christmas morning on Friday without electricity after a powerful storm lashed the northeast of the United States overnight. Westchester, Rockland, Ulster, Orange and Dutchess counties were particularly hard hit, with 73,926 outages reported between the five of…

UN says three Burundian peacekeepers killed in Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three Burundian peacekeepers have been killed by “unidentified armed combatants” in the Central African Republic, the United Nations said. “Three peacekeepers from Burundi were killed and two others were wounded” following attacks in the south and centre of the country, the UN said in…