Covid-19: US Pres Trump slams govt top scientist Fauci ‘and all these idiots’

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump went after top government scientist Anthony Fauci in a call with campaign staffers on Monday, suggesting the hugely respected and popular doctor was an “idiot.” Fauci, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, has increasingly become a focus…

US presidential election: Early voting starts in Florida as race enters home stretch

MIAMI, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Florida voters converged on early polling stations Monday in a pivotal state fought over relentlessly by President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, as their contentious White House race enters its final 15-day stretch. Record numbers of Americans have already cast ballots in person…

Covid-19: 16 doctors killed in Nigeria’s covid fight – official

Nigerian doctors have been urging the government to provide enough protective gear ABUJA, Oct 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — A total of 16 doctors have been killed so far while battling the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, said a medical association leader. Baba Issa, chairman of the Nigerian Medical…

Plan to withdraw US soldiers sparks anxiety in Somalia

President Donald Trump had promised to withdraw all soldiers in peace missions abroad MOGADISHU, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Plans by the United States to withdraw its troops from Somalia has caused anxiety among partners involved in the war against terror in the country, with appeals for Washington to reconsider its…

Vote counting underway in Guinea presidential election

CONAKRY, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Vote counting is underway in Guinea to determine who will be the west African nation’s new president.    Sunday’s election, which pitted incumbent President Alpha Conde against opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo, was the culmination of months of political unrest over a controversial new constitution that…

South Sudan: Government says all transactions to be made in local currency

Information Minister, Michael Makuei JUBA, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The South Sudan Council of Ministers adopted a resolution that all payments in the country should be made in the local currency, according to Information Minister Michael Makuei. The move is part of efforts to overcome a crippling economic crisis. The…

Covid-19: Madagascar ends state of health emergency

Andry Rajoelina, president of Madagascar ANTANANARIVO, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Madagascan government announced the end of the state of health emergency which was introduced due to the (COVID-19) pandemic.According to president Andry Rajoelina, the country had a 96% recovery rate.He attributed the recovery to some of the measures taken…

Nigeria: Lagos orders closure of schools over #EndSARS protests

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu LAGOS, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s Lagos State Government has ordered the closure of public and private schools in the state indefinitely. This was announced in a press statement by the state’s Head of Public Affairs, Ministry of Education, Kayode Abayomi, on Monday. The statement…

Covid-19: Chilean gov’t says protests may cause potential spike in cases

Chile has been rocked by protests over inequality since October 2019 SANTIAGO, Oct 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chilean Health Minister Enrique Paris said demonstrations marking the one-year anniversary of social unrest on Sunday might cause potential spike in novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. “If in 14 days we have a coronavirus outbreak…

Bolivian presidential election: Runner-up Mesa concedes defeat

Carlos Mesa of Citizen Community party (CC)  LA PAZ, Oct 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — The runner-up in Bolivia’s presidential race, Carlos Mesa of the Citizen Community (CC) party, conceded defeat to rival Luis Arce Catacora, candidate of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS). The result of exit polls by two pollsters showed…