Slovakia starts inoculations with Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine – 2nd nation within the EU bloc

BRATISLAVA, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Slovakia became the second country in the EU to start inoculating citizens with Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, even though the jab has not yet been approved by the bloc’s regulator.A man from the city of Zilinia was the first person to receive the shot. “I…

Covid-19: Excited but nervous, a million Mexican children return to classrooms

MEXICO CITY, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than a million Mexican schoolchildren returned to classrooms around the country on Monday for the first time in more than a year thanks to an easing of pandemic lockdown measures. Schools in 13 of Mexico’s 32 states have been authorized by the government…

Covid-19: US sends emergency medical supplies to Bangladesh

WASHINGTON/DHAKA, June 8 (NNN-BSS) — The United States (US) Monday delivered to Bangladesh its most recent shipment of emergency medical supplies to save lives, stop the spread of COVID-19, and meet the urgent health needs of the country’s people. This latest delivery, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID),…

US restricts visas over Cameroon conflict

Demonstrators carry banners as they take part in a march voicing their opposition to independence for the Anglophone regions, in Douala, Cameroon WASHINGTON, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States announced visa restrictions on individuals accused of fueling violence in western Cameroon, which has seen vicious fighting for four years…

US seeks ‘common approach’ on possible China Olympics boycott

WASHINGTON, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Washington reiterated its desire to forge a “common approach” with allies over a possible boycott of next year’s Beijing Winter Olympics, as called for by growing numbers of US lawmakers. “With regard to the Olympics, we’re consulting very closely with allies and partners to look…

US eyes possible trade deal with Taiwan: Sec of State Blinken

WASHINGTON, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States will soon start discussing a trade deal with Taiwan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday, risking Beijing’s wrath. “I know we are engaged in conversations with Taiwan, or soon will be, on some kind of framework agreement,” Blinken said at a…

Haiti postpones June 27 referendum, citing Covid

PORT-AU-PRINCE, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haiti postponed a constitutional referendum scheduled for June 27 citing the coronavirus pandemic, but did not give a new date for the vote in the latest twist in its political crisis. President Jovenel Moise has been ruling Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, by…

Covid-19: Brazil braces for third wave

BRASÍLIA, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Already reeling from one of the highest death tolls in the pandemic, Brazil is bracing for the threat of a third wave of Covid-19, fueled by vaccination delays and a lack of containment measures. So far, each pandemic wave has been successively worse in Brazil,…

Covid-19: Brazil unveils protocols for Copa America

BRASILIA, June 8 (NNN-XINHUA) — It is fitting that the underused Estadio Mane Garrincha football stadium in Brasilia sits almost within sight of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s office. In a little more than a week, the cavernous arena is scheduled to host the opening match of arguably the most contentious…

Sudan renews rejection to unilateral filling of Ethiopia’s Nile Dam without binding deal

KHARTOUM, June 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — Sudan renewed its rejection to unilateral filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) without reaching a legal and binding agreement, official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported. Charing a Monday meeting of the Higher Committee for the GERD, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok noted the…