Sudan fires foreign ministry spokesman following Israel remarks

Haider Badawi Saddiq KHARTOUM, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The spokesman for Sudan’s foreign ministry was fired Wednesday, a day after telling a media outlet that Sudan is getting ready to sign an agreement with Israel to normalize relations between the two countries.   Acting foreign minister Omer Gamaruddeen Ismail said…

Zambia’s vice president tests positive for COVID-19

Zambia’s 79-year-old vice president Inonge Mutukwa LUSAKA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s vice president Inonge Mutukwa tested positive for the coronavirus, the presidency said in a statement, which also said her condition was stable and she was in self-isolation at home. “The vice president has some mild symptoms that are…

Zimbabwe to meet Vatican envoy over Catholic bishops’ criticism

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa HARARE, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s government said it had sought a meeting with the Vatican representative to understand whether Catholic bishops who accused it of human rights abuses and cracking down on critics were speaking on behalf of the Holy See. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi…

Covid-19: ‘Signs of hope’ as cases in Africa level off

Africans were urged to continue wearing masks and practising social distancing  ADDIS ABABA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Average daily cases of coronavirus in Africa fell last week, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The continent-wide daily average was 10,300 last week, down from 11,000 the week…

Belarus unrest: Lukashenko steps up efforts to reassert control

Security forces were posted outside factories and plants on Wednesday MINSK, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stepped up efforts to reassert his control after 10 days of street protests and strikes triggered by disputed elections. The official result gave him 80% of the vote but the opposition has denounced the…

Update: Kim Jong-Un gives sister Yo-Jong ‘more responsibilities’

Jong-un and Yo-jong are said to be close SEOUL, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has delegated more responsibilities to his aides, including his sister Kim Yo-jong, South Korea’s spy agency claims. Jong-un still maintains “absolute authority”, but handed various policy areas to others to reduce his stress levels,…

Iran nuclear deal: European nations ‘siding with Ayatollahs’ – US Sec of State Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo UNITED NATIONS, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused European allies of “siding with the ayatollahs” after they said the US could not reimpose sanctions on Iran. The UK, France and Germany said the US did not have the legal right to…

Germany to take on more debt in 2021 due to virus: finance minister

BERLIN, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany will need to take on yet more debt in 2021 to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on the economy, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said. “Next year we will continue to be forced to suspend the debt rule and spendconsiderable funds to protect the…

After port disaster, Lebanese brace for virus lockdown

BEIRUT, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Still reeling from a deadly port blastthat ravaged their Beirut homes and businesses, Lebanese wearily bracedthemselves for a new coronavirus lockdown due to start on Friday. Lebanon is to partially close down for two weeks from Friday to stem astring of record daily infection rates…

Covid-19: UK accused of ignoring warnings over virus-hit exams

LONDON, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The British government came under fresh pressure over its botched policy for grading exams cancelled during the coronavirus lockdown, as a new set of results showed a surge in top marks. Schools minister Nick Gibb admitted he was warned weeks ago about the risks of…