Covid-19: South Africa uses ‘pop-up’ vaccination centres to boost number of jabs

Olekantse Serati was one of the dozens of people who decided to get jabs on Friday. PRETORIA, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At the busy taxi stand near Soweto’s Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, a health worker with a megaphone called out to commuters, calling them to come and get a COVID-19 vaccination.Olekantse Serati…

Covid-19: All travellers entering Uganda to take mandatory test from Sept 3

Test on arrival is a key new rule in Uganda’s fight against the pandemic KAMPALA, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Starting Sept 3, all travellers arriving in Uganda, including citizens, will be subjected to a mandatory PCR Covid test before they are cleared to enter the country.The Ministry of Health has…

Senegal: Flash floods wreak havoc, displace dozens of families in capital Dakar

A section of the affected flood area DAKAR, Aug 23 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Flash floods affected the area of Keur Massar in the outskirts of the Senegalese capital, Dakar in the past week. A heavy downpour has led overflow of tributaries affecting local families.Hundreds of families have abandoned their homes following…

Covid-19: Battered airlines owed billions as governments withhold cash

Airlines have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic MONTREAL (Canada), Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Airlines are owed almost US$1 billion across 20 countries as governments seek to hang on to hard currency, depriving the industry of vital cash at a time when travel has been devastated by the coronavirus crisis.Figures…

Ethiopia to launch platforms to rival Facebook, Twitter

Facebook is the most used social media platform in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia will launch home grown social media platforms to rival Twitter and Facebook, head of the country’s intelligence outfit has disclosed. Shumete Gizaw, Director of the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) said other virtual…

Greece erects fence at Turkey border amid warnings of Afghan migrant surge

Part of the fence erected in the Evros region at Greece’s border with Turkey  ATHENS, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greece has installed a 40km fence and surveillance system on its border with Turkey amid concern over a surge of migrants from Afghanistan. “We cannot wait, passively, for the possible impact,”…

Nord Stream 2: Germany ready to sanctions if Russia use gas pipeline as weapon, says outgoing Chancellor Merkel

Angela Merkel sought to reassure Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky over the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 project KIEV,Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel said further sanctions may be imposed on Russia if it uses a controversial gas pipeline against Ukraine. Merkel, on her final visit to Kyiv before leaving office,…

Update: At least 21 dead in flooding in US state of Tennessee

  WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Devastating floods in the southern US state of Tennessee have left at least 21 people dead and dozens missing, local officials said in what they warned was a preliminary toll.   Tennessee was hit Saturday by what meteorologists called historic storms and flooding, dumping…

G7 to discuss Afghanistan on Tuesday: UK PM Johnson

   LONDON, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — G7 leaders will discuss the crisis in Afghanistan on Tuesday in a virtual summit, Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced.   “It is vital that the international community works together to ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people…

Tropical Storm Henri bears down on US east coast

  NEW YORK, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tropical Storm Henri was on course to make landfall on the US east coast, with millions in New England and New York’s Long Island preparing for flash flooding, violent winds and poweroutages.    The US National Hurricane Center said in its advisory that…