Ethiopia unrest: Statue of former leader Haile Selassie destroyed in London park

Haile Selassie was Ethiopia’s last emperor LONDON, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A statue of former Ethiopian leader Haile Selassie has been destroyed in a park in Wimbledon, south-west London. Police are investigating the incident, which took place in Cannizaro Park on Tuesday evening. The damage to the bust was carried…

Covid-19: Egypt reopens pyramids after pandemic closure

Egypt’s tourism has been affected by coronavirus closures CAIRO, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Egypt has reopened major tourist attractions including the Great Pyramids of Giza after a three-month closure. The pyramids were the country’s first tourist attraction to reopen, along with the Egyptian Museum next to Cairo’s Tahrir Square. The…

Covid-19: WHO urges strong safety measures as African countries resume air travel

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa GENEVA, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As African countries begin to reopen borders and air spaces, it is crucial that governments take effective measures to mitigate the risk of a surge in infections due to the resumption of commercial flights and airport operations,…

Covid-19: Pandemic costs Africa travel, tourism almost $55 billion – African Union

Tourists in Africa ADDIS ABABA, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — African countries have lost almost $55 billion in travel and tourism revenues in three months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the African Union (AU) commissioner for infrastructure and energy said. Amani Abou-Zeid told a news conference the economic impact of lockdowns…

South Africa refinery explosion kills two, six others injured

Two people died and six others injured as a result of the explosion CAPE TOWN, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Two people have died and at least six others have been injured after an explosion at an oil refinery exploded in the suburbs of Cape Town in South Africa.The police are investigating…

Pirates kidnapped nine Nigerians from offshore oil facility

The 9 persons were captured on the Sendje Berge, a floating production storage and offloading vessel ABUJA, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pirates have kidnapped nine Nigerian nationals from an offshore oil vessel, the owner BW Offshore said in a statement.The ship, the Sendje Berge, was being repaired when the attack…

Ethiopia: Murdered popular political singer Hachalu Hundessa buried amid ethnic unrest

State-owned Ethiopian Television broadcasting some scenes from the funeral service ADDIS ABABA, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The funeral has been held for Ethiopian singer Hachalu Hundessa as unrest over his death has spread from the Oromia region where he was seen as a hero. Troops have been deployed in the…

Covid-19: Botswana president goes into quarantine

Botswana President, Mokgweetsi Masisi GABORONE, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has quarantined himself after an official working closely with him tested positive for Covid-19, a government statement says. Some other people in the president’s inner circle are also self-isolating, it adds. The government encourages people to continue…

Nigeria: Lagos lawmakers propose to decolonise street names

Lagos’ Victoria Island LAGOS, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Elected officials in Nigeria’s Lagos state have called on the state’s governor to look into renaming some of the city’s streets in order to remove the reminders of colonialism and slavery. During Wednesday’s debate on the issue in the state’s house of…

At least 162 dead in Myanmar jade mine collapse caused by landslide: A ‘preventable tragedy’

In this photo released from Myanmar Fire Service Department, rescuers carry a recovered body of a victim. YANGON, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 162 people are dead in a mine collapse caused by a landslide in Myanmar, multiple outlets report. Early Thursday morning, a 20-foot-high rush of mud and…