Zambia health minister denies corruption charges in court

Chitalu Chilufya has been health minister for nearly four years LUSAKA, July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has denied the four charges of corruption being levelled against him. “I understand the charges and I plead not guilty,” he said in a Lusaka magistrates’ court. The 47-year-old doctor…

Covid-19: Lagos doctors suspend strike

Lagos is the epicentre of the pandemic in Nigeria LAGOS, July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Doctors in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, have resumed work at various hospitals after suspending a three-day strike. The medics had called the strike over unpaid salaries and other issues of safety and welfare. The chairman of…

US senior diplomat complains Europe not doing enough in Libya

Troops loyal to Libya’s internationally recognised government prepare themselves to confront rival east-based army WASHINGTON, July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Europe can do more in Libya by designating Russian military contractor Wagner Group and calling out Moscow and other countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Egypt that are violating…

West Africa accounts for 90% of all sea kidnappings

Security forces are not able to protect all of the ships along the coast KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The West African coast is becoming increasingly dangerous for commercial shipping, according to a new report from the Kuala Lumpur-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB).It says that 90% of all kidnappings…

Former mayor and defence minister appointed Gabon’s first female PM

Christiane Ossouka Raponda has served as mayor of the capital and defence minister LIBREVILLE, July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has appointed Christiane Ossouka Raponda as prime minister, the first woman to become the head of government in the West African country.The 56-year-old replaces Julien Nkoghe Bekale, who…

Covid-19: Virus vaccine hopes raised by fresh trials

Hopes of an effective COVID-19 vaccine being developed in the near future have been raised after two separate studies showed potential positive results LONDON, July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hopes of an effective COVID-19 vaccine being developed in the near future have been raised after two separate studies showed potential positive…

Covid-19: Spain honoured its 28,400 victims

MADRID, July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With a watchful eye on the latest virus outbreaks, Spain pauses Thursday to honour its 28,400 victims at a state ceremony joined by top EU and World Health Organization figures. Barely three weeks after coming out of lockdown, Spain has seen a surge in cases…

Covid-19: New lockdowns ordered as India cases near one million

PATNA (India), July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One of India’s most impoverished states went into lockdown Thursday, but near-normal traffic on Patna’s streets showed the difficulty of corralling over 125 million people. The lockdown in the northern state bordering Nepal started as India reported more than 600 deaths in the previous…

COVID-19: Coronavirus spreads though Bolivia’s political elite; looms over election

LA PAZ, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s government has been rocked by the novel coronavirus, with the president and at least seven of her Cabinet ministers testing positive, straining the interim leadership and casting a shadow over a slated election rerun in under two months. Conservative caretaker President Jeanine Anez,…

US targets Russia group over Libya mines, Sudan suppression

Turkey carries out demining in the Salah al-Din area south of Tripoli in June 2020, amid allegations that a Russian group laid mines WASHINGTON, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States accused a Russian mercenary group of laying landmines in and around Tripoli and imposed sanctions over its alleged cooperation…