Ghana elections: Two political parties claim early lead as Ghanaians await poll results

ACCRA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As Ghanaians anxiously awaited the results of presidential and parliamentary elections, the two top political parties claimed victory, even as the Electoral Commission warned parties and the media against declaring results.Me Jean Mensa, the head of the Electoral Commission, said the agency is the only one allowed by law…

Ethiopia: ‘Active’ army campaign in Tigray over, says Ethiopia’s PM

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 8 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The Ethiopian government says the “active phase” of military operations in Tigray is over, following the capture of the regional capital Mekelle. Addis Ababa on Monday questioned the ability of the rebel administration to mount a guerrilla war, while a UN security team was…

Curbing Amazon deforestation conditions EU/Mercosur trade deal: EU envoy

BRASILIA, Dec 8 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Until Brazil makes a political commitment to curb deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, the trade deal between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur trade bloc will not advance toward ratification in Europe, the EU’s envoy in Brasilia said. Ambassador Ignacio Ybañez said in an…

Update: British grandmother is first in the world to get Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outside trial

LONDON, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother from Britain, has become the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine outside of a trial following its rapid clinical approval. She received the jab at her local hospital in Coventry, England, on Tuesday (Dec 8) morning…

Tanania: Zanzibar opposition agrees to serve in unity government

President John Magufuli ZANZIBAR, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zanzibar’s opposition agreed to join the ruling party in a unity government on Tanzania’s semi-autonomous archipelago, saying it wanted to promote peace despite its criticism of a recent election.The opposition ACT-Wazalendo party had disputed the results of the Oct 28 elections on…

Covid-19: Italy’s interior minister tests positive; two other ministers in self-isolation

Italy’s Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese ROME, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy’s Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Monday, the government said. Lamorgese submitted to a routine test in the morning and learned the results while attending a meeting of government ministers in the afternoon, said…

Update: Boycott-tainted poll win gives Pres Maduro total control in Venezuela

CARACAS, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Nicolas Maduro hailed a “new dawn” in Venezuela as he celebrated his now total grip on power following a predictable triumph in polls boycotted by the opposition and slammed as a farce by international powers. Victory for Maduro’s ruling Socialist Party in Sunday’s legislative…

Covid-19: UK starts Tuesday mass vaccination programme

LONDON, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain on Tuesday hailed a turning point in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, as it begins the biggest vaccination programme in the country’s history with a new COVID-19 vaccine jab. The first patients in line on what has been dubbed “V-Day” – the over-80s, care…

The Pacific Alliance will hold its virtual presidential summit in Chile, next week

SANTIAGO, Dec 8 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The 15th Presidential Summit of the Pacific Alliance, a bloc made up of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, will be held on Dec 11 in Santiago de Chile, albeit via videoconference due to Covid-19. During the meeting, the president of Chile, Sebastian Piñera, will pass…

Venezuela rejects European double standards on elections

CARACAS, Dec 8 (NNN-TELESUR) — Just a day after the parliamentary elections were held in Venezuela, several European countries and their right-wing representatives have failed to recognize the triumph of the governing coalition that won most seats in the National Assembly in the country’s most expected elections in several years.…