Zimbabwe high court forces out chief justice

Justice Malaba faced some criticism in 2018 HARARE, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s high court has ruled that the president’s extension of the chief justice’s term of office by five years is illegal.A group of lawyers had challenged the move which followed a recent constitutional amendment passed by parliament that…

Djibouti president sworn in for fifth term after landslide poll win

President Omar Guelleh has been in power for 22 years DJIBOUTI, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh was on Saturday inaugurated as the country’s head for another five years.In his speech, Guelleh said that in the early days of this new presidential term, the goal is to…

Parliamentary elections: Ethiopia cancels June vote citing logistical setbacks

Ethiopia’s polls were last postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19 ADDIS ABABA, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Ethiopian Electoral Commission announced on Saturday that it was postponing parliamentary elections scheduled for June 5 due to growing logistical difficulties, without setting a new date.“The vote will not take place on June…

Covid-19: Brazil struggles to vaccinate as toll spirals

BRASILIA, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four months into a Covid-19 vaccination campaign marred by shortages and delays, hard-hit Brazil is still struggling to find enough doses, as political and diplomatic blunders prolong its pandemic nightmare. Around 33 million people — 15 percent of the population — have received at least…

Thousands rally in North America in solidarity with Palestinians

NEW YORK, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied in cities across North America on Saturday, calling for an end to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip as the worst violence in years flared between the Jewish state and Islamist militants. Gatherings to show solidarity with Palestinians took…

UN chief ‘dismayed’, ‘disturbed’ by Israel strikes on Gaza

UNITED NATIONS, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “dismayed” by civilian casualties in Gaza and “deeply disturbed” by Israel’s strike on a building containing international media outlets, a spokesman said in response to reporters’ questions. The comments came as Israel pummeled the Gaza Strip with air strikes,…

Kenya’s BBI blocked in scathing court verdict for Pres Kenyatta

President Kenyatta (L) and Odinga launched the BBI initiative after the contentious 2017 election  NAIROBI, May 16 (NNN-AENCIES) —In a scathing ruling, five High Court judges in Kenya have blocked a government-backed plan to make fundamental changes to the country’s constitution. The judgement is arguably the most significant ruling by Kenyan courts…

US immigration: White House vows probe into migrant children kept on buses

An asylum seeking family is transported on a Border Patrol bus  WASHINGTON, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The White House has vowed to investigate reports that migrant children were forced to remain on board buses overnight as they waited to be re-located away from the border. Biden press secretary Jen Psaki called it “outrageous”…

Covid-19: Greece ends lockdown measures and opens to tourists

Tourist arrived in Crete on Friday morning as restrictions eased  ATHENS, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Greece has launched its tourist season, lifting most remaining restrictions on movement and declaring “we are putting the lockdown behind us”. Although an average of 2,000 daily Covid cases are still being reported, vaccinations are being rolled out.…

Covid-19: Pandemic slows globally, despite India toll

PARIS, May 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The coronavirus pandemic slowed its pace around the world for a second week in a row, despite raging cases in India where more than 4,000 people died every day. Here is the global state of play as of Friday: . The number of new daily…