Tunisia: Prime Minister-designate names new government

Hichem Mechichi, Tunisia’s new prime minister-designate TUNIS, Aug 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisia’s Prime Minister-designate, Hichem Mechichi, has unveiled a new government made up of technocrats rather than members of political parties.This is the second cabinet to be named in six months in Tunisia.Mechichi had previously said he wanted a cabinet…

Tanzania: Pres Magufuli cleared for second term bid

John Magufuli, President of Tanzania DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has been cleared by the electoral commission to run for re-election in October.The president returned his nomination papers to the commission on Tuesday.He is expected to face-off with opposition Chadema party nominee Tundu Lissu…

Zambian health minister acquitted of corruption

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya LUSAKA, Aug 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A court in Zambia has acquitted Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya on all four charges of being in possession of property suspected to be from the proceeds of crime. The Lusaka magistrate’s court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to try…

Covid-19: Cases, deaths slow in most regions – WHO

GENEVA, Aug 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The coronavirus pandemic is still raging worldwide, but fresh World Health Organization data indicates its pace is easing in most regions, with the biggest slowdown seen in the hard-hit Americas. More than 1.7 million new coronavirus cases and some 39,000 new deaths were recorded last…

US Secretary of State Pompeo visits Sudan on tour to boost Israel’s Arab ties

KHARTOUM, Aug 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Sudan Tuesday on a tour urging more Arab countries to normalise ties with Israel, following the US-brokered Israel-UAE agreement. Pompeo, the first American top diplomat to visit Sudan since 2005, arrivedon a historic “first official non-stop flight”…

Storm Laura upgraded to hurricane, to hit US Gulf Coast: meteorologists

WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Storm Laura was upgraded to a hurricane and is forecast to make landfall along the Texas or Louisiana coasts on Wednesday night, US meteorologists said. “Laura has become a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), with higher gusts,” the US National…

Stricken ship behind oil spill sunk off Mauritius

The larger section has been sunk to a depth of 3,180 meters PORT LOUIS, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The broken stem of a Japanese-owned ship which ran aground causing a devastating oil spill in pristine waters off Mauritius, has been successfully sunk in the open ocean. Nagashiki Shipping, which owns…

Covid-19: Lockdowns limit Daesh attacks in many nations – UN

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Coronavirus lockdowns appear to have reduced the threat of Daesh group attacks in many countries, but the risk is greater in Iraq and Syria, a UN official said. While Daesh is now a shadow of the organisation that occupied swathes of Iraq and Syria…

Covid-19: 15 EU countries set to receive 81.4 bln euros for saving jobs during pandemic

BRUSSELS, Aug 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — The European Commission presented proposals to the Council of the European Union (EU) to grant 81.4 billion euros to 15 EU member states to help them mitigate the effects which the COVID-19 pandemic has had on employment. As planned, the countries will be receiving assistance…

US unrest: Unrest continues in Wisconsin following police shooting of black man

KENOSHA (Wisconsin, US), Aug 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — The unrest following police shooting of a black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday evening continued into Monday, when crowds tried to cram into the Public Safety Building for a news conference, knocking a door off its hinges. Riot police tried to disperse…