COVID-19 outbreak ends cruise for thousands on German ship in Lisbon

COVID-19 outbreak ends cruise for thousands on German ship in Lisbon LISBON, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The German operator of a cruise ship that has been stuck in Lisbon’s port due to an outbreak of the coronavirus among its crew pulled the plug on the voyage on Sunday after some passengers…

Covid-19: Bolivian VP bows to pressure, agrees to take a vaccine

LA PAZ, Jan 3 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Bolivia’s Vice President David Choquehuanca finally agreed to get vaccinated against COVID-19 despite ratifying that taking the jab is voluntary in Bolivia and that he has already overcome the disease. “I have acquired natural immunity, but since we have a decree now, I am respectful…

Dutchman accused of smuggling people to Europe via Asia arrested in Kenya

John Habeta was on Interpol’s Wanted List NAIROBI, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenyan police arrested a Dutch national wanted by Interpol for allegedly smuggling dozens of men, women and children to Europe.John Habeta, 53, was allegedly involved in at least four different operations to smuggle groups of Eritrean nationals into…

Guinea coup leaders allow ousted Conde to seek medical care abroad

Alpha Conde, ousted Guinean president CONAKRY, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The transitional authorities in Guinea-Conakry have allowed former president Alpha Condé to leave the country to seek medical help.The condition is that the former president cannot stay away for more than one month unless advised otherwise by the medical professionals.The…

Cameroon conflict looms over Africa Cup of Nations venue

LIMBE (Cameroon) — Droves of armoured vehicles are patrolling the streets of Limbe in Cameroon’s conflict-torn South West Region ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) soccer finals starting on Jan 9 that separatist militants have vowed to disrupt. Cameroon is hosting the tournament in six cities, but security is…

Six killed in suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Kenya

NAIROBI, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six people have been killed and homes torched in an attack Monday by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Kenya’s coastal Lamu region that borders Somalia, a local government official said.   “I confirm that we had an attack suspected to be by Al-Shabaab at a place…

Covid-19: Masks to return in England’s secondary school classrooms amid Omicron wave

LONDON, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Secondary school students in England are once again being asked to wear masks in classrooms as Omicron continues to spread in Britain ahead of children’s return to school next week. The recommendation came as the government pledges to keep face-to-face education going despite surging COVID-19…

Ecuadorian president names former presidential adviser as new foreign minister

QUITO, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announced that he has appointed former presidential adviser Juan Carlos Holguin as the new minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, replacing Mauricio Montalvo, who has been serving in the position since May 24, 2021. Lasso wrote on Twitter that Holguin…

Nigerian police rescued 21 kidnapped students – Official

Children rescued by the police ABUJA, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian police rescued 21 children abducted on Friday night by bandits while being taken to an Almajiri school in Zamfara State.The bandits were said to have blocked the Gusau-Funtua federal highway in Tsafe Local Government Area in the state and…

Covid-19: England and Wales report 137,583 cases on Sunday as Italy records 61,000 cases

LONDON, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain reported 137,583 new cases of COVID-19 in England and Wales on Sunday, compared with 162,572 cases in England on Saturday, according to government data. There were 73 deaths within 28 days of a positive test in England and Wales, a drop on the 154…