Mali: 11 people injured in hard landing of UN plane in Gao

RA-74044, the aircraft involved in the incidentr BAMAKO, Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A United Nations plane careened off the runway while touching down in the northern Malian city of Gao on Monday, the international organisation said, injuring 11 people.   In a statement, the UN said that four of its officials…

Covid-19: White House mandates random coronavirus tests for staffers

WASHINGTON, Aug 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — The White House is mandating random coronavirus testing for staffers after President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Robert O’Brien and several others working in the White House complex tested positive for the virus last month. The new policy is part of “ongoing efforts to protect…

Covid-19: President Ramaphosa vows to curb looting of coronavirus funds

PRETORIA, Aug 4 (NNN-SANEWS) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to nip in the bud alleged corruption in the procurement of much-needed goods and services in the fight against COVID-19. The President made the declaration in his weekly newsletter after the public was recently inundated with such allegations…

Tanzanite: Tanzanian miner earns more millions after second rare find

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Tanzanian small-scale miner, who became an overnight millionaire in June for selling two rough Tanzanite stones valued at $3.4m, has sold another gem for $2m. The third discovery by Saniniu Laizer weighed 6.3kg. Tanzanite is only found in northern Tanzania and is used to make ornaments.…

Nigeria: Governor says battle against Boko Haram militants being sabotaged

ABUJA, Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A governor in north-east Nigeria has suggested efforts to defeat Boko Haram militant group are being undermined by elements of the security apparatus. Borno State’s Babagana Zulum said President Muhammadu Buhari needed to know sabotage within the system was frustrating work to end the insurgency. Babagana Zulum was speaking…

Covid-19: Masks on as German children start new schoolyear under virus cloud, the first in Europe

ROSTOCK (Germany), Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lunchbox, books, pencil case — masks? Thousands of children in northern Germany became the first in Europe to begin a new school year on Monday after months of curtailed hours over the coronavirus pandemic. The rest of the country was watching anxiously as 150,000…

Covid-19: US adds 46,321 cases in 24 hours – Johns Hopkins

WASHINGTON, Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States added 46,321 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours Monday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The world’s largest economy also added 532 deaths, the Baltimore-based institution’s tracker showed at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Tuesday). The US has now recorded 4,711,323…

Covid-19: Latin America and Caribbean surpass 5 million cases

MONTEVIDEO, Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Latin American and the Caribbean on Monday surpassed five million coronavirus cases, more than half of which have been registered in Brazil. Alongside the cases, there have been more than 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the region. Brazil, a country of 210 million, has recorded…

Spain’s ex-king Juan Carlos heads for exile under corruption cloud

MADRID, Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s former king Juan Carlos, who is facing investigation at home and abroad for corruption, announced that he plans to go into exile. The 82-year-old revealed he would leave the country in a letter to his son, the current King Felipe VI who accepted his…

US East Coast braces for Hurricane Isaias after Florida escapes

MYRTLE BEACH (United States), Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Isaias regained hurricane strength Monday as it bore down on the US eastern seaboard, bringing life-threatening storm surges to North and South Carolina. The Category One storm, churning 100 kilometers southeast of Charleston, South Carolina on Monday evening, was packing sustained winds…