Botswana top vet defends investigations into unexplained elephant deaths

A dead elephant is seen in this undated handout image in Okavango Delta, Botswana GABORONE, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Botswana’s top wildlife vet dismissed accusations from some conservationists that the government had not moved quickly enough to investigate the unexplained deaths of least 275 elephants. Authorities said on Thursday they…

US Pres Trump blasts ‘left wing cultural revolution’ at Mount Rushmore

President Trump arrives for the Independence Day events at Mount Rushmore National Memorial KEYSTONE (South Dakota, US), July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump railed against “angry mobs” that tried to tear down statues of Confederate leaders and other historical figures, warning thousands of supporters at Mount Rushmore that protesters…

Covid-19: Several US states report record cases, curfew ordered in Miami

A sign informing about South Beach closure, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is seen ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, in Miami, Florida WASHINGTON, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Alabama and several other US states reported record increases in coronavirus cases on Friday as Florida’s most…

Detained separatist leaders hold ceasefire talks with Cameroonian government

More than 3,000 people have been killed since separatists declared the independence of Ambazonia in October 2017 YAOUNDE, July 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Nine separatist leaders who are serving life sentences have begun ceasefire talks with the Cameroonian government, a spokesperson for the separatist leaders said. The main separatist leader Julius…

Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia resume talks on Nile dam

Ethiopia has hinged its development ambitions on the mega-project, describing the dam as a crucial lifeline KHARTOUM, July 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Talks between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River were resumed on Friday under the African Union mediation, Sudan’s Irrigation and…

Brazilian president vetoes law requiring use of masks in public spaces

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro BRASILIA, July 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has exercised his veto power to water down parts of a national law that would require the use of face masks on public transportation, in commercial and religious establishments and other enclosed public spaces, the nation’s Official…

Covid-19: France’s former PM Edouard Philippe faces probe into pandemic response

Agnès Buzyn (L), Edouard Philippe (C) and Olivier Véran are the subject of the inquiry PARIS, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A court has launched an inquiry into the French government’s handling of the coronavirus response. The investigation focuses on three senior figures, including former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, following complaints from unions and…

Covid-19: Switzerland authorises remdesivir for wide use against coronavirus

GENEVA, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Switzerland announced that COVID-19 patients beyond those on clinical trials could be given remdesivir, the first drug shown to be relatively effective in treating the new coronavirus. At least two major US studies have shown that the anti-viral drug can reduce the duration of hospital…

Russian Pres Putin mocks US embassy rainbow flag

MOSCOW, July 3, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday mocked a rainbow LGBT pride flag hung from the US embassy inMoscow, suggesting it reflected on the orientation of the diplomats. During a televised video conference, a lawmaker told Putin that theUS embassy had hung a rainbow flag…

French president appoints Jean Castex as new prime minister

PARIS, July 4 (NNN-XINHUA) — Jean Castex, a 55-year-old top civil servant not known to the French general public, was appointed new prime minister by President Emmanuel Macron to replace Edouard Philippe, the French presidential palace announced on Friday. Castex, a member of the Republicans and former adviser of former…