Covid-19: Coup plot rumours as security forces seal major Zimbabwean towns enforcing lockdown

Members of the Zimbabwe Army patrolling a city HARARE, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s security forces sealed the country’s major cities without notice amid claims of plots to topple President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. Armed soldiers and police set up checkpoints on major roads in Harare, Bulawayo and Kwekwe. Government buses…

Nigeria’s president rebukes security chiefs over worsening violence

Buhari Mohammed, Nigeria’s President ABUJA, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s president criticised his heads of security for their handling of attacks across the north of the country and said more needs to be done to resolve the problem, the national security adviser said. The comments attributed to Muhammadu Buhari are…

Sea of protesters demand Mali president steps down

The group is calling for political and economic reform in Mali BAMAKO, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tens of thousands of people have once again gathered in Bamako’s Independence square for the latest in a series of protests called by the influential and radical Imam, Mahmoud Dicko.They are calling for President…

EU parliament declares ‘Black Lives Matter’, denounces racism, white supremacism

BRUSSELS, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Parliament voted to declare that “Black Lives Matter” and to denounce racism and white supremacism in all its forms. The Friday resolution has no legal consequences but sends a signal of support to anti-racism protesters, and it follows a UN call for a…

Covid-19: Zimbabwe health minister arrested over supplies scandal

HARARE, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s health minister Obadiah Moyo was arrested for alleged corruption related to the supply of medical materials to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the anti-graft agency said. He was being held at a Harare police station. “I can confirm that the minister of health and child…

US judge allows release of ex-Trump aide Bolton’s book

WASHINGTON, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US judge refused toblock the release of a tell-all book in which President Donald Trump’sformer national security advisor describes him as corrupt andincompetent. With the book already shipped to stores for sale next week, JudgeRoyce Lambert wrote that John Bolton appeared to have failed…

UN condemns systemic racism – without naming US

GENEVA, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN’s top human rights body condemned discriminatory police brutality and demanded a report on “systemic racism”, but rights groups accused Washington of wielding pressure to strip out any mention of the United States in the resolution. The UN Human Rights Council’s 47 members approved…

Covid-19: Latest global developments

PARIS, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Here are some of the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis. With some 2,500,091 cases including 192,158 deaths, Europe is the worst affected continent while Latin America now has the fastest growing outbreak. Europe chalks up more than 2.5 million cases, making it the worst-affected…

Covid-19: UK unveils £ 1 billion schools ‘catch-up’ plan after lockdown

LONDON, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said English schools would receive £1 billion in funding to help pupils catch up after missing months of classes due to the coronavirus. The financial boost comes as his government faces withering criticism over its broken pledge to have all…

Covid-19: US travel industry to see 40% drop in spending – study

WASHINGTON, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Domestic US travel spending is expected to collapse this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, suffering a 40 percent decline compared to 2019, while international spending will plunge 75 percent, according to new research. The report, commissioned by the US Travel Association, showed spending by US…