UNICEF chief expresses concerns over attacks against children in west, central Africa

ABUJA, July 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore has expressed her concern about the alarming spate of attacks against children and abduction of students in parts of west and central Africa. In a statement on Wednesday, Fore said the UNICEF is deeply concerned that…

Ex-South Africa president Jacob Zuma arrested, starts 15-month jail time

The former president was sentenced to 15 months in jail last week PRETORIA, July 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former South African president Jacob Zuma on Wednesday night turned himself in to the police to start his 15-month jail time for contempt.The Jacob Zuma Foundation confirmed the latest move in a social…

Covid-19: Brazil, Argentina reports more deaths as Chile sees drop in new cases

BRASILIA, July 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil registered 1,648 more deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 528,540, the health ministry said. A total of 54,022 new infections were detected, raising the total caseload to 18,909,037, the ministry said. Brazil has the world’s second…

Covid-19: Delta variant becomes dominant variant in U.S.

A ticker tape parade in lower Manhattan on Wednesday to honor the “hometown heroes” of the COVID-19 pandemic WASHINGTON, July 7 (Xinhua) — The highly transmissible Delta variant has overtaken the Alpha variant to become the dominant variant in the United States, according to new estimates from the U.S. Centers for…

Surfside condo collapse death toll climbs to 54 as search switches from rescue to recovery: ‘No chance of life’

SURFSIDE (Florida, US), July 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The search efforts at a Miami-area condo building that collapsed June 24 shifted from rescue to recovery Wednesday, ending any hope of finding survivors but possibly providing relatives of the victims a sense of closure. Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah told families that, after…

Covid-19: Central African Republic receives donation of Chinese vaccine

President of the Central African Republic (CAR) Faustin-Archange Touadera, accompanied by Chinese ambassador to the CAR Chen Dong, welcomes the Chinese vaccine donation at M’poko International Airport in Bangui BANGUI, July 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — The government of the Central African Republic (CAR) has received a batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated…

Covid-19: World passes 4 mn deaths as Asia battles fresh outbreaks

  GENEVA, July 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than four million people have now died of Covid-19 infections, the WHO said on Wednesday, as many richer nations prepared to loosen restrictions even as countries in Asia battle surging infections.   Indonesia has become a global hotspot, with hospitals having to turn away…

Haiti assassination: PM declares ‘state of siege,’ granting stronger powers to executive; assassins in custody as uncertainty grows

  PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haiti’s prime minister declared a “state of siege”, which grants the executive additional powers, just hours after the assassination of the nation’s president.    “In strict application of article 149 of the constitution, I have just chaired an extraordinary council of ministers meeting and we…

Dutch crime reporter De Vries fighting for his life after shooting

Crime journalist Peter R de Vries was shot and wounded in the Amsterdam city centre AMSTERDAM, July 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Celebrity Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, known for his work in exposing the criminal underworld, is fighting for his life after being shot on an Amsterdam street, officials…

Haiti President Jovenel Moise assassinated: interim PM

  PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haiti President Jovenel Moise was assassinated and his wife wounded early Wednesday in an armed attack at their home, the interim prime minister announced.    Claude Joseph said he was now in charge of the country and urged the public to remain calm, while insisting…