Ethiopian troops have recaptured the historic town of Lalibela from Tigrayan rebels, the government has said. This is the latest victory claimed by the government since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed went to the front lines last week to lead the fight-back. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said it had made a “strategic withdrawal” from […]
European Union countries should consider mandatory vaccination to combat Covid and the Omicron variant, the head of its Commission has said. Ursula von der Leyen said vaccines would be crucial in the fight against the “highly contagious” new variant. Some two dozen countries have reported cases of Omicron, and the EU has tightened travel restrictions […]
The World Health Organization (WHO) Wednesday began a lengthy process to develop an international agreement on the prevention and control of future pandemics. The WHO’s World Health Assembly – the organization’s decision-making body – approved the effort at the end of a rare, three-day special session at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva. The plan, entitled […]
Ethiopia has filed a complaint with Twitter accusing the social media giant of suspending accounts critical of Tigrayan rebels it has been fighting in a gruesome, year-long war, a government spokeswoman said Tuesday. The dust-up highlights how both sides are trying to use social media to shape the narrative of the conflict between Prime Minister […]
Honduras looks set to elect its first female president, Xiomara Castro, after the ruling party conceded defeat. Ms Castro, the candidate for the left-wing Libre (Free) Party, has a preliminary lead of almost 20 percentage points over her rival. Her victory will bring an end to the 12-year reign of the right-wing National Party, which […]
The United States is committing $45.5 million over the next five years to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Ghana. U.S. Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan joined representatives of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to launch the project in Tamale today. The U.S. Government, through USAID, will work together with the Government […]
Former US Vice-President Mike Pence has called on the Supreme Court to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade case which legalised abortion in the US. Mr Pence said the ruling was “a misguided decision” that harmed millions of unborn babies. If Roe v Wade is overturned, millions of women will lose access to abortions. […]
New evidence has revealed that the omicron variant of the coronavirus was already present in western Europe well before the first cases were officially identified in southern Africa. Authorities in the Netherlands said Tuesday that it detected the variant in test samples as early as November 19 — a full week before the positive cases […]
Australia has changed its plan to allow fully vaccinated skilled migrants, backpackers and international students into the country beginning December 1. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there would be a two-week delay because of the spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant. Several infections have been detected in travelers returning to Australia. The World Health Organization […]
Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and became a republic in an overnight ceremony in the capital of Bridgetown. Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president during a midnight event coinciding with the country’s 55th anniversary of independence. The Prince of Wales and Barbadian singer Rihanna attended the […]
