Lockdown fuels child labour in Zimbabwe

A child works in a mine HARARE, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Reduced economic activity brought about by the prolonged lockdown to slow down the spread of Covid-19 may be fuelling child labour in Zimbabwe’s informal gold mines.Latest research by the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association (Zela), a vocal watchdog of the…

US accuses Switzerland, Vietnam of manipulating currency

WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Treasury accused Switzerland and Vietnam of manipulating their currencies, partly to gain a trade advantage over American exports. In the semi-annual foreign exchange report, Treasury found the two countries were intervening in currency markets to affect balance of payments, and in the case of…

Fiji warns of huge waves from super cyclone

A resident of Fiji’s capital Suva prepares his home for the arrival of super Cyclone Yasa SUVA, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Coastal villagers in Fiji were told to flee for higher ground on Thursday, amid predictions that super cyclone Yasa will generate monster waves of 16m when it hits the…

Winter storm wallops US North-east, but some schools bury snow days

NEW YORK, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A winter storm marched up the US East Coast on Wednesday, delivering a disruptive blow to transportation systems and a welcome day off for some school kids, but not for many who have been learning remotely during the pandemic. By mid-afternoon, the Nor’easter had…

The posada must go on: Mexico celebrates Christmas against backdrop of Covid

XOCHIMILCO (Mexico), Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) – In Yuridia Torres’ workshop, the sale of pinatas is nonstop. Despite the Mexican government’s warning against traditional posadas — celebrations which began Wednesday and play a huge role in the country’s Christmas season — people in the capital’s Xochimilco neighborhood continued to buy the…

Update: Germany aims to begin virus vaccinations December 27 – minister

BERLIN, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany will begin coronavirus vaccinations on Dec 27 with elderly care home residents, Health Minister Jens Spahn announced, with the European Union aiming for all 27 member states to begin on the same day. In a statement, Germany’s 16 state-level health ministers said Spahn had…

Update: US sets 24-hour records with over 3,700 Covid deaths and 250,000 new cases – Johns Hopkins

WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States set a grim double record Wednesday notching more than 3,700 deaths and over 250,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. The country has seen a spectacular spike in Covid infections for more than a month…

Nigerian president orders immediate reopening of land borders

ABUJA, Dec 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate reopening of the nation’s four land borders which were shut 16 months ago in a bid to curb smuggling, said a senior government official. “The president has approved the reopening of four land borders, namely Seme border,…

Covid-19: Italy approves national plan for vaccination

ROME, Dec 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Italian authorities approved a national plan for COVID-19 mass vaccination on Wednesday after a meeting between the central government and regional governors. The announcement came from Italy’s Extraordinary Commissioner for the Coronavirus Emergency Domenico Arcuri, after the State-Regions Conference, which comprises cabinet ministers and governors…

Covid-19: Twitter cracks down on false posts about vaccines

NEW YORK, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twitter said that it would crack down on false posts about Covid-19 vaccines beginning next week, following in the footsteps of Facebook and YouTube. The social media platform already targets posts containing false information on how the virus spreads and the efficacy of public…