US warns Venezuela vote will be worse than ever

WASHINGTON, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States warned that elections planned in Venezuela later this year would be deeply fraudulent, accusing leftist leader Nicolas Maduro of seeking to manipulate the outcome. Venezuelan authorities have called Dec 6 elections for the National Assembly, the only government branch led by the…

Record 212 environmental activists murdered in 2019 – NGO

At least 212 environmental campaigners worldwide were murdered in 2019 LONDON, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 212 environmental campaigners worldwide were murdered in 2019, making last year the deadliest on record for frontline activists battling  the destruction of Nature, watchdog group Global Witness reported Wednesday. Colombia and the Philippines…

Covid-19: UK Sports Minister confident of safe return to stadiums for spectators

Sport has been held behind closed doors since its return LONDON, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK government is confident it can move towards a safe return for fans to watch sporting events in stadiums, says Minister for Sport Nigel Huddleston.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said spectators could be able…

Uganda’s ruling party nominates Museveni for election

Yoweri Museveni rose to power through an armed rebellion in 1986 KAMPALA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been officially nominated by his party, National Resistance Movement (NRM), as its candidate for the 2021 presidential elections. His candidature will need to be cleared by the country’s electoral…

Mali’s opposition rejects ECOWAS leaders’ plan to end deadlock

Protests demanding President Keïta’s resignation have seen thousands on the streets of Bamako BAMAKO, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mali’s opposition coalition formally rejected a plan proposed by West African leaders for ending a political crisis, raising the prospect of more mass anti-government demonstrations in the coming weeks. Tens of thousands…

Covid-19: 860,541 confirmed cases in Africa as deaths climb to 18,176

ABUJA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As of Tuesday July 28, confirmed the COVID-19 case total from 55 African countries has reached 860,541.Reported deaths in Africa have reached 18,176 and recoveries 506,825.South Africa has the most reported cases – 452,529, with deaths numbering 7,067. Other most-affected countries include Egypt (92,482), Nigeria (41,180), Algeria…

Sierra Leone journalists welcome end to libel law

Campaigners said the criminal libel law was used to stifle the press FREETOWN, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) —  The International Federation of Journalists has called the repealing Sierra Leone’s criminal libel law is a “great victory for freedom of information”.The law, which meant people could be jailed for libellous statements, was…

‘Escaping Sudanese migrants’ killed in Libya: UN agency

Migrants have continued to attempt to cross the Mediterranean from Libya TRIPOLI, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three Sudanese migrants were shot dead on Monday night after their boat was intercepted by the Libyan coastguard and they had been returned to shore.The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says that the local…

Covid-19: US Pres Trump defends hydroxychloroquine again

 WASHINGTON, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) —US President Donald Trump has again defended the use of hydroxychloroquine to ward off coronavirus, contradicting his own public health officials. He argued the malaria medication is only rejected as a Covid-19 treatment because he is the one who suggested it. His remarks come a day after…

Covid-19: Zimbabwe’s cases surge to 2,704 as deaths rise to 36

HARARE, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe recorded new 192 COVID-19 cases, raising the country’s tally to 2,704. As locally transmitted infections continue to spike, only three of the 192 cases are imported while the rest are local infections. In an update, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said two people from Manicaland Province, a…