Malawi’s election cheer dampened by coronavirus surge

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera said 100,000 face masks would be distributed in the capital Lilongwe LILONGWE, July 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi’s new President Lazarus Chakwera ordered his inauguration ceremony be scaled down amid a surge of coronavirus cases, dampening excitement around his election win. Chakwera was sworn in Sunday for…

Covid-19: US FDA Chief refuses to back Pres Trump’s vaccine prediction

The head of the FDA, Dr Stephen Hahn, said he “can’t predict when a vaccine will be ready” WASHINGTON, July 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The head of the US drugs regulator has cast doubt on President Donald Trump’s prediction that a Covid-19 vaccine will be ready this year. “I can’t predict when a vaccine…

Covid-19: WHO reports single-day increase in cases by over 212,000

GENEVA, July 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 212,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, surpassing 10.9 million, while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 5,000 to over 523,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. WHO said, as many as 10,922,324 novel coronavirus…

Argentina extends debt talks until Aug 4: official

BUENOS AIRES, July 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentina will present a new offer to restructure its debt on Monday and has extended its deadline for creditors to agree until Aug 4, the economy ministry announced. President Alberto Fernandez had stated earlier that the term was to be extended until the end…

Italy to allow 180 migrants to leave ship: charity

ROME, July 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy has authorised charity vessel Ocean Viking to disembark 180 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean in Sicily, ship operator SOS Mediterranee said. “We have received instructions from the Italian maritimeauthorities to disembark those on board in Porto Empedocle,” aspokesman for the charity said. The Ocean…

US shooting: 2 killed, 8 hurt in South Carolina nightclub shooting

GREENVILLE (South Carolina, US), July 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two people were killed and eight wounded Sunday in a shooting at a nightclub in South Carolina, according to media reports. A Greenville County Sheriff’s Office deputy driving in the area just before 2 a.m. local time noticed a “disturbance” at the…

Covid-19: Air France set to cut more than 7,500 jobs

PARIS, July 6 (NNN-AGENCIES0 — Air France-KLM plans to cut more than 7,500 jobs at its French arm as the airline industry reels from the coronavirus crisis. Europe’s second-biggest airline will cut 6,560 staff at Air France, with its regional French carrier Hop! losing 1,020 jobs, the company said. In…

Covid-19: Botswana Foreign Ministry temporarily closed over virus exposure

GABORONE, July 6 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Botswana remains one of Africa’s least impacted countries, one of a handful with less than 100 cases of COVID-19. Government has in the past month taken drastic measures including a strict lockdown. President Eric Masisi tested negative for the third time on June 1. The wholes…

Somalia: Six killed in Baidoa restaurant attack; militant failed to attack Mogadishu port

Militant group al-Shabaab said it was behind the incidents MOGADISHU, July 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A bomb explosion at a restaurant in the southern Somali town of Baidoa has killed six people, officials. There has also been a suicide bomb attack close to the port of the capital, Mogadishu, which injured…

Tunisia hopes to identify deceased migrants

Dozens of bodies of foreign migrants are recovered from the sea off Tunisia every year TUNIS, July 6 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — It is a herculean task, but authorities in Tunisia hope to identify the bodies of thousands of deceased migrants who have disappeared on the perilous journey to Europe by sea.…