Covid-19: Global cases top nine million as WHO says pandemic ‘accelerating’

PARIS, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Global coronavirus infections topped nine million on Monday as the World Health Organization warned that the pandemic was accelerating and Saudi Arabia said it would allow a “very limited” number of pilgrims to the hajj next month. France took its biggest step yet back to…

Covid-19: Pres Trump to extend US work visa freeze to year-end – White House

WASHINGTON, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump will prolong a ban on US employment permits to year-end and broaden it to include H-1B visas used widely in the tech industry, the White House said Monday. A senior administration official told journalists that the move would free up 525,000…

UK: Reading stabbing attack suspect Libya-born Khairi Saadallah known to MI5

Stabbing suspect Libya-born Khairi Saadallah LONDON, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The man held on suspicion of killing three people at a park in Reading was known to MI5, security sources say. Khairi Saadallah, 25, from the town, was arrested on Saturday and police say they are not looking for anyone else over…

Covid-19: UK debt now larger than size of whole economy due to pandemic

‘Today’s figures confirm that coronavirus is having a severe impact on our public finances,’ said Sunak LONDON, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES0 — The UK’s debt is now worth more than its economy after the government borrowed a record amount in May due to the coronavirus pandemic. The £55.2bn figure was nine…

Kenya-US trade talks delayed until pan-African trade bloc comes into force: Pres Kenyatta

Kenya President, Uhuru Kenyatta NAIROBI, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya has delayed talks on a trade deal with the United States until a pan-African trade bloc comes into force, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, likely holding up what would be Washington’s first such pact in sub-Saharan Africa. US President Donald Trump…

Algerian protest leader jailed

Amira Bouraoui was at the forefront of those who forced Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down last year ALGIERS, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One of the leaders of the protests which have rocked Algeria for the past 16 months has been sentenced to a year in prison.Amira Bouraoui, 44, was convicted…

Covid-19: Nigerian doctors call off nationwide strike

Doctors want to be supplied with protective gear ABUJA, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian doctors have ended a nationwide strike that was called to protest against low pay and inadequate protective equipment against the coronavirus pandemic.The National Association of Resident Doctors (Nard), which represents some 40% of Nigeria’s doctors, said…

Covid-19: Kenya’s military denies partial lockdown of barracks infected with the virus

NAIROBI, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s military has denied putting any of its barracks under partial lockdown amid media reports that dozens of soldiers are being treated at an isolation centre for Covid-19. Kenya Defence Forces spokesperson Colonel Zipporah Kioko said that movement in and out of barracks had not…

Malawi braces for a historic Tuesday presidential re-run

President Peter Mutharika (L) and his challenger Lazarus Chakwera LILONGWE, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawians return to the polls on Tuesday (June 23) for a re-run of the presidential election five months after the Constitutional Court annulled the results of a disputed vote last year. Incumbent President Peter Mutharika had…

Frustrated wives of assassinated Ethiopian generals call for justice, a year after the killings

Gen Seare was assassinated during alleged unsuccessful coup in the Amhara state ADDIS ABABA, June 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The wife of the late Ethiopian army chief, who was shot dead a year ago Monday, has said she has failed in her efforts to meet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in order to…