Covid-19: Latest global developments

PARIS, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Here are some of the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: . MORE THAN 654,000 DEATHS: The pandemic has killed more than 654,477 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, with more than 16.5 million people infected. The United States has the…

EU approves visit to Uganda parks

Elephant park KAMPALA, July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Officials from the European Union have declared Uganda’s parks as officially open to tourism after making symbolic visits at the weekend. The Ugandan tourism industry is now hoping the government will open the country’s airspace soon, to allow flights carrying foreign visitors. Tourism,…

Cat tests positive for COVID-19 in UK’s first animal infection

 The cat (not pictured) and its owners have made a full recovery. LONDON, July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A pet cat in the United Kingdom has tested positive for COVID-19 in the first animal infection reported in the UK, the government said. It is believed to have contracted the coronavirus from its owners. “There…

Honduras seizes 900kg of cocaine in joint op with Colombia

Honduras is working with Colombia and the US to prevent Gracias a Dios from becoming a cocaine trafficking launchpad TEGUCIGALPA, July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Honduras said it had seized 900 kilos of cocaine in a joint operation with Colombia. Military and police authorities intercepted a fishing boat on Sunday in the…

Covid-19: Peru says more than 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began

LIMA, July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A staggering more than 900 girls and women are missing and feared dead in Peru since the COVID-19 confinement began, authorities said. The Andean nation home to 33 million people long has had a horrific domestic violence problem. But COVID-19, which has compounded home confinement combined…

African refugee who volunteered at French cathedral confesses to setting blaze, lawyer says

A view of debris caused by a fire inside the Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul in Nantes NANTES (France), July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Rwandan refugee who volunteered as a warden at France’s 15th-century Nantes cathedral has confessed to setting the blaze that gutted its interior a week…

Tunisia president designates new PM amid hopes of ending political crisis

Tunisia’s Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi TUNIS, July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisian President Kais Saied designated the interior minister as the new prime minister to succeed Elyes Fakhfakh, who resigned over allegations of a conflict of interest, the presidency said. New premier Hichem Mechichi pledged to respond to the social and…

Somalia’s parliament ousts prime minister in no-confidence vote

Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, a former oil company executive MOGADISHU, June 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somalia’s parliament ousted Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in a no-confidence vote, as a simmering power struggle between him and the president came to the fore. Khaire and President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed have been tussling…

US, Australia open talks focused on China

WASHINGTON, July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Australia opened top-level talks in which they are expected to seek a common front amid soaring tensions between Washington and Beijing. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper welcomed to Washington their Australian counterparts, Marise Payne and…

Update: Trump’s approval for COVID-19 handling drops to new low – poll

WASHINGTON, July 28 (NNN-XINHUA) — US President Donald Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has further disappointed the public, recording a new low in a recent poll, with an overwhelming majority of those surveyed believing the country is headed in the wrong direction. Trump’s approval rating for his handling of…