US: Pres Trump pardons two linked to Russia probe, list of others

WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump granted pardons to two people linked to a probe into alleged collusion between his campaign and Russia along with a list of others. The moves come as the outgoing Republican continues to refuse to concede defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in…

Pakistani human rights activist found dead in Canada; no suspicious circmstances, says police

TORONTO, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Pakistani human rights activist who had fled to Canada has been found dead in Toronto, Canadian police said. Karima Mehrab, who was also known as Karima Baloch, had escaped to Canada in 2015 after the Pakistani government accused her of terrorism. “It is currently…

Covid-19: WHO Europe to convene members over new virus variant

COPENHAGEN, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization in Europe said it would convene its members to discuss how to handle a new variant of the novel coronavirus discovered in the UK. Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe said on Twitter that the organisation was closely monitoring the…

Covid-19: US Pres-elect Biden says will push Congress for another relief bill

WILMINGTON (Delaware, US), Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President-elect Joe Biden said he will ask Congress for another Covid-19 relief bill when he takes office, insisting that Americans want Republicans and Democrats to work together again after Donald Trump goes. Biden cast himself as a leader eager to work for the…

UN praises municipal elections in western Libya

Boys walk through Benghazi Old Town in Libya TRIPOLI, Dec 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Tuesday commended the municipal elections in the western towns of Ar-Rajban and Al-Zawiya Al-Gharbia. UNSMIL “congratulates the citizens of Ar-Rajban and Al-Zawiya Al-Gharbia on the conduct of peaceful…

Ethiopia unrest: UN refugee agency appeals for urgent support to ease crisis

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grande meets refugees from Ethiopia in the Hamdayet Border Reception Centre in Eastern Sudan GENEVA, Dec 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, together with 30 humanitarian partners, appealed for 156 million U.S. dollars to meet “the critical humanitarian needs” of…

Update: UK reaches deal with France to allow trucks to cross border from Wednesday

A sign showing “French Borders Closed” is seen at the closed Port of Dover in Dover, Britain LONDON, Dec 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — Britain and France have reached a deal to reopen their border to haulers and some passengers from Wednesday, the British Department for Transport announced. As part of the…

Covid-19: Pres Trump rejects US relief bill, calling it ‘a disgrace’

  WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump rejected a $900 billion bipartisan Covid stimulus package, calling it “a disgrace” and demanding that lawmakers more than triple relief payments to Americans. While he did not explicitly say he would not sign the bill, which passed overwhelmingly Monday in both…

Covid-19: WHO reports all-time high of 4.6 million cases registered in one week

GENEVA, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 4.6 million newly confirmed novel coronavirus cases were registered worldwide in the past week, which is the all-time-high weekly count since the start of the pandemic, the World Health Organization said. According to the global organization’s data, a total of 4,612,790 novel coronavirus…

Covid-19: South Africa makes down payment for vaccine

A nurse administers a vaccination against the coronavirus disease PRETORIA, Dec 23 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa has made a down payment to secure the COVID-19 vaccine for 10% of the country’s population. “The National Department of Health and the Solidarity Fund are pleased to announce that a down payment of…