Covid-19: WHO reports record daily increase of 230,000 cases globally

GENEVA, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Sunday (July 12), with the total rising by 230,370 in 24 hours. The biggest increases were in the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report. The previous WHO…

Covid-19: Two Madagascar lawmakers die with coronavirus

ANTANANARIVO, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said two lawmakers — one member of the senate and one deputy — had died after becoming infected with coronavirus. Eleven other deputies and 14 senators had also tested positive for the virus, Rajoelina said. The Indian Ocean island on July…

‘Our war was clean and just’ says Kosovo’s Thaci

TIRANA, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kosovo President Hashim Thaci defended his record, a day before flying to The Hague to be questioned by war crimes prosecutors over his role in the 1998-99 conflict. “Our war was clean and just,” said Thaci, now 52, who was the political leader of an…

Covid-19: Mexico death toll surges to fourth-highest, surpassing Italy – govt

MEXICO CITY, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico on Sunday became the country with the fourth highest death toll from COVID-19, ahead of Italy, according to Mexican health officials. “There are 299,750 confirmed cases of infection and 35,006 deaths in Mexico,” health officials said on the presidency’s Twitter account. Italy currently…

Argentina passes 100,000 COVID-19 cases

BUENOS AIRES, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentina has registered more than 100,000 COVID-19 cases, its Ministry of Health said, despite the Buenos Aires area — the country’s coronavirus hot spot — being under extended shutdown. The country now has recorded 1,845 deaths from the pandemic with 100,153 positive cases and…

Covid-19: Bolivian economy minister becomes fourth cabinet member with virus

LA PAZ, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s economy minister said that he tested positive for COVID-19, making him the fourth cabinet member with the virus, in addition to the country’s interim president who is in quarantine. Economy Minister Oscar Ortiz joins the ranks of the ministers of health and mining,…

Major fire breaks out on US Navy ship in California

LOS ANGELES, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An explosion on a United States Navy ship moored at a base in California set off a major fire on Sunday injuring 21 people, officials and local media said. The USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault vessel, was in port in San Diego for…

Covid-19: US records another 60,000 new cases in 24 hours

WASHINGTON, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States, the country hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, on Sunday recorded 59,747 new cases over the last 24-hour period, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. The number of cases in the US has rocketed in recent weeks, hitting a record…

Congo justice minister resigns after judicial reform dispute

KINSHASA, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Justice Minister Celestin Tunda tendered his resignation in the wake of a dispute with the president over proposed laws that would give politicians more control over criminal prosecutions. In a televised statement on Saturday, Tunda gave no reason for his…

Covid-19: South Africa bans alcohol sales again to combat coronavirus

This is the second ban on alcohol sales since South Africa’s outbreak began  PRETORIA, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) —South Africa has introduced new restrictions, including another ban on alcohol sales, to help contain the spread of coronavirus. A night-time curfew has been imposed, and the wearing of masks outdoors is now compulsory.…