UK and EU in row over bloc’s diplomatic status

The EU has maintained its diplomatic mission in the UK after Brexit  LONDON/BRUSSELS, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A diplomatic row has broken out between the UK and EU over the status of the bloc’s ambassador in London. The UK is refusing to give Joao Vale de Almeida the full diplomatic status that…

Covid-19: Portuguese president says elections to go ahead on Jan 24 despite lockdown

Virus Outbreak Portugal Election LISBON, Jan 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa confirmed the holding of presidential elections on Jan 24, despite the lockdown enacted in Portugal to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Portuguese should vote on Sunday. It is very important to vote while respecting health…

48 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast: IOM

TRIPOLI, Jan 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 48 illegal migrants have been rescued off Libyan coast. “IOM staff are at the Tripoli port to provide emergency assistance to 48 migrants returned to shore by the coast guard today,” IOM Libya tweeted. Among the migrants…

Covid-19: UK virus surge leads to record daily deaths and hospitals like ‘war zones’

LONDON, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Some British hospitals resemble a “war zone” due to the influx of coronavirus patients in the country’s latest wave of the disease, the government’s chief scientific adviser said. The grim assessment by Patrick Vallance came as the UK announced another 1,820 fatalities from Covid-19, breaking…

Cuba says Trump sanctions cost it US$20 billion

HAVANA, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Trump administration’s stepped-up sanctions against Cuba cost the communist-run island some US$20 billion, a foreign ministry official said. “The damage to the bilateral relationship during this time has been considerable, and the economic harm to Cuba immense,” Johana Tabalada, a senior ministry official, said.…

Expelled Honduran migrants cling on to American dream

EL FLORIDO (Guatemala), Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Returning home to a life of hunger and desolation, Hondurans who were kicked out of Guatemala as they started off on a long walk to the United States are vowing they will not abandon their pursuit of the American dream. Among the thousands driven…

French Muslim groups deal blow to Macron’s anti-extremism charter

PARIS, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three Muslim groups refused to back an anti-extremism charter pushed by French officials following a spate of militant-inspired attacks, dealing a blow to a flagship initiative of President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The charter rejects “instrumentalising” Islam for political ends and affirms equality between men and…

Covid-19: Netherlands proposes first curfew since World War Two, flight bans

An empty street in Amsterdam AMSTERDAM, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Dutch governmentproposed the first nationwide curfew since World War Two and a ban on flights from South Africa and Britain in its toughest moves yet to limit the spread of coronavirus in the Netherlands. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said…

Spain: Three dead as gas blast rips through Madrid building

MADRID, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least three people were killed when a huge explosion ripped through a building in Madrid, with officials confirming it was caused by a gas leak. Images from the scene showed the walls on the top four or five storeys of the residential building in…

Covid-19: Don’t panic, everyone around the world will get vaccine, says WHO

GENEVA, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nobody should panic about getting access to a Covid-19 vaccine because everyone who wants one will get one, the World Health Organization said. The WHO’s assistant director-general Mariangela Simao said the UN health agency was working towards ensuring access to coronavirus jabs all around the…