This is according to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said that all the 26 European Union member states had agreed to fully back it. According to the agreement, implementation could be over in three months.

Such good news couldn’t have arrived at a better time for the adventure-hungry tourists whose escapades had been halted by the Coronavirus. Summer holidays are a few months away, and with the Covid fatigue among tourists, the excitement of going on a European summer holiday is palpable already.

Still, travel restrictions may remain in place

The EU has been intensifying its Covid 19 vaccination drive even as it remains wary of possibilities of deadlier waves. Measures meant at easing travel restrictions across the bloc remain in limbo, thanks to new Covid 19 variants.

Equally coy about the resumption of free international travel in the summer is Priti Patel, the Home Secretary. According to him, summer could prove a little too soon for a holiday, owing to the erratic situation in the UK and across the EU.

But these travel restrictions notwithstanding, rolling out a single vaccine passport means that savvy vacationers could have a reason to start hunting for holiday destinations. Travel trials like PocDoc’s ‘fit to fly’ certificates at the Edinburgh Airport also signify the region’s tourists’ readiness as soon as the international borders open.

Massive travel bookings already taking place

Right now, every eager traveler is holding onto faith, hoping that UK premier Boris Johnson’s projections for a summer holiday from as early as May 17 come to fruition. Holiday bookings have been increasing tremendously, with EasyJet reporting a whopping 337% surge in ticket sales and a further 630% in holiday bookings.

It is clear, therefore, that maybe it isn’t too early to book a European post-Covid holiday. Greece is calling, much like the Swiss getaways, Spanish beaches, and several Asian and African vacation destinations.

The post Europe Holiday Bookings Surge as EU Agrees on Vaccine Passport appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

The ban, a long time coming, was a culmination of months-long flagging of his controversial updates after the 2020 US Elections. It was originally an indefinite suspension, but perhaps a prayer finally answered after what his political opponents had been wishing for since 2017.

Soon after, Facebook followed suit, clamping down on his Page, having earlier removed several of the posts he made during the riots that ended up at Capitol Hill. Facebook CEO, decided to ban his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely too, taking a cue from Twitter.

Remember “covfefe?”

Trump has leaned on Twitter, regularly feeding his 88 million followers with all kinds of entertainment. And, his off-tone communication rubbed his foes badly countless times, while earning him what a majority of the mainstream media regularly debunked as falsehood.

Yet all these bans have dealt a huge blow to him and his love for rants and tirades. He must be one bored individual right now – at least when he’s not playing golf. Trump used his social channels to openly and defiantly propagate what he believed in, regardless of how untrue, controversial or implausible it was.

But, perhaps those who suffer the most are his millions of followers and Twitter in general. In fact, it is now becoming increasingly true that social media misses him more than anyone else. Forget about the $5 billion Twitter stock slump after his ban, there can’t be another controversial Tweep like him.

Nobody will be so talented, yet very irresponsible with social media like him. Nobody will make such nonsensical things as #COVFEFE trend, pour slander and demean opponents openly without care. Most politicians’ Twitter accounts are boring, and not even President Joe Biden can offer any humor.

The post Without Trump, Social Media May Never Be the Same appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

A little African safari, plus the allure of attractive deals and freebies amidst the warm African weather, is a perfect post-Covid-19 adventure retreat. Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the Mecca of all safaris, should be your pick.

Adventure or no adventure, there are many reasons why I’d highly vouch for a post-Coronavirus safari trip to Kenya. For the ultimate adrenaline-pumping experience, a sneak peek of the threats the reserve faces, and a different dose of adventure!

Walking through the Mara – with Lions

The Mara is one massive flat savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. The reserve is probably best known for the annual wildebeest migration – one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

But, there’s so much thrill, perhaps even more jaw-dropping than seeing the wildebeests cross the croc-infested Mara River. Traversing different conservancies within the reserve, getting stuck in the middle of the muddy roads, spending a night at one of the camps inside the reserve, or finding fresh lion tracks in the bush, you choose your adventure.

It’s way too ordinary to explore the Mara atop a Land Rover.

The real treat is actually climbing down the car and setting foot in the park. It may seem a truly terrifying experience, and perhaps it even is. Each rustle of dry leaves sends chills down your spine and even the breeze of cold Savannah air makes your armpits drip with sweat.

Nevertheless, there’s no better way to make a lifelong memory of an African safari in this reserve than going by foot. It is a kind of adventure best reserved for the true daredevils – the most intrepid of all safari enthusiasts and animal conservancy enthusiasts.

The Maasai Mara is home to some of Africa’s most dangerous animals – Lions, Cheetahs, Hyenas, Elephants, leopards, hippos, buffalos, snakes…all of them. And walking through it, you get to learn about the threats the animals face, government and NGO-run conservation measures, and more.

Across the vast, open plains pockmarked with wild fig trees and acacia groves, you are most likely to bump into many of them – in groups. But perhaps the most surprising thing about your trek will be how peaceful some of them are – when unprovoked.

Just like many have attempted and successfully ended their Mara African safari on foot before, maybe you too can. Trekking across Mara demands a lot of careful planning and a few tough guides – just that. It is a remarkable idea, often best for those who would love to explore it beyond its adventures.

The post African Safari Travel Ideas: An Adventure amidst the Lions of the Mara appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Millions of Nigerians continue taking to the streets, and to social media under the hashtag #ENDSARS, protesting against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a branch of the Nigeria Police Force. Even as the demonstrations against the alleged brutality by the group escalate, more casualties are being reported by local media.

Reports of armed thugs attacking protesters in the capital, Lagos, and the military opening fire on peaceful protestors signify that the campaigns could be turning ugly. As reported by Sky News, the police allegedly shot at demonstrators in the city’s Lekki suburb on Tuesday, sparking anger amongst its supporters on social media.

In the northern state of Kano, the death of a 17-year-old teenager at the hands of the police has sparked even more protests. Both Benin City and the Edo state government have declared an indefinite curfew in light of reported attacks and vandalism.

Protests against brutality, harassment, and murder

SARS, formed during the 1984 military rule, has long been accused of extortion, torture, and murder. However, it was not until just recently that a series of videos of individuals allegedly being killed by police surfaced online.

Immediately after the videos, the campaign gained fame with Nigerians creating shockwaves on Twitter with #ENDSARS trending for days. The government finally gave in and disbanded the notorious group.

But the disbandment, according to the protestors, isn’t enough and has since morphed into calls for wider reforms in the government. Already, there’s a 24-hour curfew on the 20 million people who live in Lagos, the heartbeat of the protests. Despite the restrictions, the protests show little sign of slowing down.

Lots of local and international celebrities have joined a growing list in support of the protests. The list includes Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, artists Diddy, Kanye West, Trey Songz, Tiwa Savage, Widkid, and Davido, and others.

Sports superstars led by Mesut Ozil, Marcus Rashford, and countless Nigerian internationals have also been at the forefront, voicing their support for the demonstrations.

The latest hashtags, #EndBadGovernance, #BetterNigeria, and #FixNigeriaNow, and a series of diaspora protests in Canada, England, Germany and the United States signifies a new twist. It remains to be seen how the protests will go.

Meanwhile, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has promised comprehensive reform and compensation to victims of the brutality.

The post #ENDSARS Protests Turn Ugly as More Celebrities Voice Support appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

He wants it removed from the football calendar and to replace it with clearer events that everyone comprehends. According to him, many people don’t have an idea what the Nations League is, unlike the World Cup and the Euros.

“If you ask people in the street what the Nations League is, you won’t find many able to explain it.” Wenger said.

FIFA discussed Wenger’s Proposals

Speaking to Bild, Wenger called on the global football managing body to instead stage the World Cup finals and the Euros bi-annually, saying it would help it adapt to the “modern world” and give fans something to care about away from club football.

The ex-Arsenal manager admitted that FIFA had already discussed the idea, including playing qualifying matches in one month. He was, however, adamant that holding major tournaments more often would not hurt their appeal. Likening them to the Champions League, which never loses its appeal.

At the moment, both the Euros and the World Cup are staged after every four years, with the next ones coming in 2021 and 2022 respectively. This year’s European Championship finals had to be pushed to next summer following the Covid-19 pandemic.

What is the UEFA Nations League

UEFA conceived the Nations League to bridge the long footballing gap between the two events and allow European nations to play competitive matches. It brings together 55 UEFA member nations who chose to stage the yearly competitions and give their national football teams regular and competitive footballing activities.

The format is quite elaborate and pits all the 55 nations according to their footballing strength. Teams are split into four leagues, with the strongest meeting in League A and the weakest going to League D.

Leagues A, B, and C consist of 16 teams each, while D only has 7 teams, even though each league has Promotions and Relegations. Teams are currently battling it out in the tourney’s second edition, after Portugal won the inaugural season in June 2019.

The current format, according to the former Arsenal boss, hurts the value of the World Cup and the Euros. However, he believes that adopting his suggestions would be a huge step forward.

The post Wenger Wants the Nations League Scrapped – But What is it Anyway? appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Part of the aid advanced to aspiring couples who may have postponed their plans to have kids will include a Baby Bonus Cash Gift – a one-off support measure. Details of the program are yet to be made public, even though the existing baby bonus system provides eligible parents up to S$10,000 (an equivalent of £5,644) in benefits.

The state’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat admitted that some parents had decided not to have babies in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

He spoke about the feedback received from the self-employed and the most vulnerable, which may have triggered the ‘pandemic baby bonus’ program.

According to him though, the decision to continue the support schemes will majorly rest on the country’s labor market situation as well as its economic outlook.

Low Fertility Rates; a stark contrast to its neighboring countries

Singapore is one of the most envied countries across Asia today. The state’s tropical weather is wonderful, while its economy has been constantly growing stronger. It also has some of the cleanest streets and the lowest crime rates in the world.

However, this country is equally infamous for its stressful working environment. Citizens constantly have to toil in order to keep up with the high cost of living.

And, for many Singaporeans, having babies amidst the ordinary tough times, further compounded by prevailing financial losses, psychological stresses, and job layoffs, isn’t possible.

Low population growth rates are not something new in Singapore. Unlike its immediate neighbors, Indonesia and the Philippines whose prospects of staggering growth in post-lockdown pregnancies are all, but evident, there is nothing positive to report.

Singapore has always had one of the lowest birth rates on the planet. So far, not even the heavy bonuses have helped resuscitate the situation.

The country’s fertility rate slumped to an eight-year low of 1.14 births per woman in 2018.

The post Singapore to Offer Pandemic Baby Bonus Cash to Boost Birth-Rate appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Right from the first day of November to the 22^nd day, San Miguel de Allende will be buzzing with carnivals and processions, with throngs of fun-lovers filling up its streets. Pomp and color will once again make this city beautiful with costumes and parades happening on all of its streets.

And while all this will have little to do with the city’s Spanish colonial architecture, art, its cobblestone streets, nor its festive markets and delicious food spots millions fly in for, it simply had to be November.

Carnivals and Processions, Food and Endless Fun

This city is a joy to visit. November makes it even more welcoming, thanks to the prevailing average temperatures and the month-long outdoor celebrations.

This year promises even more fun and excitement, especially with many coming to dance the Covid-19 hangovers away. Beyond visiting Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the French formal-styled El Jardín and de Bellas Artes, its streets will be pulsating with love, thrill, and vigor.

For countless Americans bored by the already high-octane political temperatures across the country, San Miguel de Allende undoubtedly will be the best destination to fly to. The city is well-known for having average temperatures in November, something that will draw many.

Mexicans honor the dead with gifts and food during the All Saints’ Day, and it’s an experience to behold. It extends to Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, when celebrations hit the roof. And while a lot of countries have already opened up their border entry points and are gladly welcoming back adventure-hungry travelers, there’s little to worry about.

Private celebrations are available for international travelers wary of Corona Virus, including private guided tours of the local cemeteries, personalized altars and whimsical life-sized puppets on standby.

Where exactly is San Miguel?

San Miguel de Allende is about an hour north of Mexico City. And there’s no better destination to escape to and skip the looming 3^rd November Presidential Elections than a little Mexican city. This November, a lot is going on in this Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite city and I bet you wouldn’t want to miss.

The post San Miguel in November – a Perfect Adventure Lover’s Travel Destination appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.