Covid-19: Global cases surpass 70 mln — Johns Hopkins University

NEW YORK, Dec 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — Global COVID-19 cases surpassed 70 million on Friday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The global case count reached 70,025,535, with a total of 1,590,323 deaths worldwide as of 4:28 p.m. local time (2128 GMT), the…

Mexico’s ‘tower of skulls’ yields more ancient remains

MEXICO CITY, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexican archaeologists said they had found remains of 119 more people, including women and several children, in a centuries-old Aztec “tower of skulls” in the heart of the capital. The new discovery was announced after an eastern section of the Huei Tzompantli was uncovered…

Covid-19: Brazil’s death toll surpasses 180,000

BRASILIA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Brazil passed the grim milestone of 180,000 deaths from Covid-19 Friday, as experts warned the country was undergoing a second wave of infections despite President Jair Bolsonaro’s insistence the crisis was at the “tail end.” The Brazilian health ministry reported 672 new deaths for a…

Covid-10: US Pres Trump signs one-week funding stopgap, averting shutdown of government

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Senate approved and President Donald Trump signed a one-week budget stopgap Friday that avoids a government shutdown and allows lawmakers to continue negotiations over getting pandemic relief to millions of Americans. The Senate passed the measure by voice vote days after the House…

US unrest: Car driven by white woman hits multiple protesters in New York, causing injuries

NEW YORK, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A motorist struck about half a dozen people taking part in a protest in New York City on Friday, causing injuries but no deaths, police and eyewitnesses said. A spokesman for the New York Police Department that the vehicle hit “multiple” people in Manhattan’s…

Ghana election: Main opposition party will contest election results

John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of National Democratic Congress ACCRA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ghana’s main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, whose candidate came in second in a tightly contested presidential election, has said it will contest the results announced by the electoral commission.President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was re-elected for a…

Ethiopia unrest: Aid agencies say four staff killed in Tigray fighting

Communications blackout and restrictions have made it difficult for agencies to locate their staff ADDIS ABABA, Dec 12 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Four staff members of two international aid agencies were killed during last month’s fighting in Ethiopia’s troubled northern Tigray region.The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) reported the deaths of three security…

Covid-19: South Africa calls for tougher measures as cases surge

South Africa recorded 6,700 cases on Wednesday Dec 9 PRETORIA, Dec 12 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — South Africans are calling for tougher coronavirus measures as the country reports a spike in cases and declared a second wave.On Wednesday, South Africa reported 6,700 new cases, the highest since August, bringing the total number…

Congo President to seek re-election after 36 years at the helm

President Denis Sassou Nguesso has ruled Congo for 36 years BRAZZAVILLE, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The president of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, who is one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, will seek a fourth term in elections due next March, the country’s ruling coalition said.The 77-year-old has…

Covid-19: UK to reduce quarantine for travellers from 14 to 10 days

LONDON, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– Britain said it is to cut its period of self-isolation from 14 to 10 days for travellers arriving from overseas and people who come into contact with positive coronavirus cases. The chief medics for the four nations of the UK said in a joint statement…