Doping: Russia banned from next two Olympic Games in Tokyo and Beijing

The Olympic rings inside the building of the Russian Olympic Committee in Moscow LAUSANNE, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia will not be able to use its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or at any world championships for the next two years after a ruling by the…

Cameron PM inaugurates country’s first-ever shopping mall

YAOUNDE, Dec 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cameroonian Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute on Thursday inaugurated the country’s first ever shopping mall dubbed Douala Grand Mall in the commercial hub of Douala. Ngute said the structure represented a milestone in the country’s drive towards becoming an emerging nation by 2035. “Cameroon is…

Covid-19: Iran reports 7,453 new cases, 1,138,530 in total

A woman wearing a face mask crosses a street in Tehran TEHERAN, Dec 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Iran reported 7,453 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 1,138,530 in the country so far, according to the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education’s website. Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the ministry,…

Brexit: UK to do “everything” to secure good trade deal with EU – senior official

Boris Johnson on a call with Ursula von der Leyen LONDON, Dec 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — British Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said that the British government “will be doing everything” to secure a good post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union (EU). “Even if sometimes results are coming later than…

India launches communication satellite CMS-01

NEW DELHI, Dec 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Indian space research organisation ( ISRO) Thursday successfully launched a communication satellite CMS-01 onboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle — PSLV-C50, officials said. The satellite was launched from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, off the Bay of…

Covid-19: Asia-Pacific not expected to have early access to coronavirus vaccines – WHO

MANILA, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Asia-Pacific region was not expected to have early access to COVID-19 vaccines and should continue to practice health and safety precautions as protection against the coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.Only a limited number of COVID-19 vaccines would be initially available, and most countries in Asia-Pacific might…

Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda rank top for rapid digital growth, demand: report

Sub-Saharan Africa has recorded high mobile payment adoption in the past decade NAIROBI, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya ranked top within the region in digital growth and demand, according to the latest Digital Intelligence Index payments firm Mastercard and the Fletcher School at Tufts University.In the survey titled Digital Intelligence…

Ethiopia unrest: More than 63,000 people internally displaced in Tigray – UN spokesman

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed UNITED NATIONS, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A UN spokesman said that more than 63,000 people have been recorded as “internally displaced” in Tigray, but the UN hopes to know the true number once the world body has more access.Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,…

Iraq: Anti-Government activist ‘killed by gunmen in Baghdad’

Anti-government protesters have been taking to the streets of Baghdad since October 2019  BAGHDAD, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A well-known Iraqi activist has been killed in Baghdad, fellow activists and local media say. Salah al-Iraqi was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Baghdad al-Jadida area on Tuesday evening. Iraqi played an…

Tropical Cyclone Yasa hits Fiji, Government declares state of disaster

There are already reports of damage to homes and trees being uprooted SUVA, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A powerful “super storm” has hit the Pacific Island nation of Fiji Thursday evening, bringing with it destructive hurricane-force winds, flooding and massive waves. The severe category five Cyclone Yasa was carrying wind…