Covid-19: Protesting South African teachers want schools to close again

PRETORIA, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Some teachers and parents in South Africa’s Western Cape province are demonstrating and demanding the closure of schools over the spread of coronavirus. A few principals have written an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa urging him to rethink the decision to open schools. They…

Somalia army ‘incapable’ of ousting al-Shabaab – US State Department

al-Shabaab troops WASHINGTON, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES)– Somalia’s national army is “incapable” of driving out militant group al-Shabaab from its strongholds, the US State Department said.The country is still “heavily dependent” on foreign support in almost all major security functions throughout the country, the State Department said in its Country Reports…

Five kidnapped mixed-race women to sue Belgium

The mixed-race women Belgium took from their mothers under colonial rule BRUSSELS, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Five mixed-race – or métis – women who were in the colonial era taken from their mothers by force in Belgian-Congo are taking the Belgian state to court for crimes against humanity. The five…

Covid-19: Highest-ever daily jump in cases in India; death toll rises by 418

NEW DELHI, June 26 (NNN-PTI) — The highest-ever single-day surge of 16,922 COVID-19 cases pushed India”s total tally to 473,105 on Thursday whereas the death toll climbed to 14,894 with 418 new fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry. With this, India has registered over 14,000 cases for the sixth…

US to press for action in EU talks on China

WASHINGTON, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State MikePompeo said he would open a dialogue with the European Unionon China and voiced hope it would lead to tougher action. Pompeo said he had accepted a proposal for a dedicated channel onChina policy with the 27-nation bloc as recommended by…

Covid-19: Virus resurging in Europe as restrictions ease – WHO

COPENHAGEN, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Europe has seen a surge of COVID-19 cases since countries began easing restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the potentially fatal virus, the World Health Organization said Thursday. “Last week, Europe saw an increase in weekly cases for the first time in months,” the…

Building collapse kills mother, two children in Italy

ROME, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A woman and two of her children were crushed to death when part of a building collapsed in northern Italy as a third child, a nine-year-old boy, looked on, Italian news agencies reported Thursday. The accident occurred Wednesday in the town of Albizzate, on the…

DR Congo govt declares end to Ebola epidemic in east

KINSHASA, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — DR Congo’s government on Thursday officially declared an end to an epidemic of Ebola that broke out in the east of the troubled country in August 2018 and went on to claim 2,277 lives. The outbreak was “the longest, most complex and deadliest” in the…

Update: Mexico earthquake death toll rises to 10

The earthquake sent people fleeing their homes and workplaces MEXICO CITY, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck southern Mexico has risen to ten, the federal government said. The 7.4-magnitude quake, which was followed by more than 1,500 aftershocks, was felt in Mexico City,…

Pirates kidnap six crewmen off Benin coast

The Gulf of Guinea is the world’s most dangerous piracy hotspot COTONOU, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pirates kidnapped at least six crew members of a fishing vessel on Wednesday off the coast of Benin in West Africa. Five abductees are South Korean nationals, while the sixth person is said to…