Covid-19: Restrictions lifted in England, scientists warn of surge in cases

     LONDON, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The British government on Monday lifted pandemic restrictions on daily life in England, scrapping all social distancing in a step slammed by scientists and opposition parties as a dangerous leap into the unknown. From midnight (2300 GMT Sunday), nightclubs were able to reopen and other…

Covid-19: Uruguay aims to reopen its borders to vaccinated foreigners

MONTEVIDEO, July 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou said that the country is aiming to reopen its borders to foreigners who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of the year. “One of the hardest hit sectors that we have to help to reactivate is tourism. If…

Sudan says Nile water level stable despite Ethiopia’s 2nd filling of Nile Dam

KHARTOUM, July 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — A Sudanese official said that no drop in the water level of the Blue Nile has been detected despite Ethiopia’s start of the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). “Since April, Al-Daim station on the border with Ethiopia has not monitored any…

US shooting: One killed, 3 injured in Northern California

SAN FRANCISCO, July 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — One person died and three others were injured in a shooting early Sunday morning in Walnut Creek, Northern California of the United States, police said. Local police responded after receiving reports of a shooting at about 1:37 a.m., the police said in a Facebook…

UN chief calls for solidarity, unity to honor Mandela’s legacy

The UN General Assembly declared July 18, Mandela’s birthday, as “Nelson Mandela International Day” UNITED NATIONS, July 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for solidarity and unity in his video message for Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day). The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the “vital importance…

OPEC+ countries agree to boost oil production

VIENNA, July 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC countries, known as OPEC+, agreed in an online meeting on Sunday to boost oil production by 400,000 barrels a day as demand increases. OPEC and its non-OPEC allies also reached a deal to phase out…

Chinese and Mauritanian workers abducted from construction site in Mali

 BAMAKO, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three Chinese nationals and two Mauritanians have been abducted from a construction site in south-western Mali. A Mauritanian news agency reported that the gunmen arrived on motorbikes and fled with the hostages. The military in Mali said the gunmen also made off with five pick-up…

‘Havana Syndrome’-like mystery illness affects Vienna US diplomats

Vienna has a reputation as a centre for diplomacy and espionage VIENNA, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US government is investigating a series of health incidents in the Austrian capital Vienna involving its diplomats and other administration staff. More than 20 officials have reported symptoms similar to Havana Syndrome – a…

At least 15 people missing after ship sinks in Liberia

 MONROVIA, July 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Between 15 and 17 people are missing after a vessel sank off the coast of Liberia, the West African state’s government and coastguard said on Sunday. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, Liberia’s Maritime Authority Commissioner Eugene Lenn Nagbe told reporters in the capital Monrovia. Coastguards have…

UN calls for investigation into 2-year kidnapping of Libyan parliament member

Seham Sergiwa was taken by armed men after she criticised Haftar offensive in Tripoli TRIPOLI, July 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on the Libyan authorities to investigate the kidnapping of Siham Sergewa, a member of the Libyan House of Representatives (parliament). “Today marks…