WHO eyes hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses before 2021

GENEVA, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization said that a few hundred million COVID-19 vaccine doses could be produced by the end of the year — and be targeted at those most vulnerable to the virus. The UN health agency said it was working on that assumption, with…

Covid-19: US sees nearly 700 more deaths in 24 hours

WASHINGTON, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States lost another 687 people to the new coronavirus in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 pm (0030 GMT) Thursday, according a tally by Johns Hopkins University. It marks the eighth day in which the daily toll from the virus has been…

US has cut troops in Afghanistan to agreed level: general

WASHINGTON, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said. “What I would tell you now is we have met our part of the agreement,” General Kenneth…

Covid-19: China finds heavy coronavirus traces in seafood, meat sections of Beijing food market

Traces of the coronavirus were discovered on a chopping board for imported salmon at Xinfadi market BEIJING, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China has found the trading sections for meat and seafood in Beijing’s wholesale food market to be severely contaminated with the new coronavirus and suspects the area’s low temperature…

Covid-19: Blacks in Atlanta more likely to be hospitalized – CDC

ATLANTA, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A study of coronovirus patients in Atlanta has found that black patients are more likely to be hospitalized than white patients, highlighting racial disparities in the U.S. healthcare system, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. About 79% of patients hospitalized…

Update: Indians hold funerals for soldiers killed at China border, burn portraits of Chinese Pres Xi

Soldiers carry the coffin of Colonel B.Santosh Babu on a truck during his funeral ceremony at his hometown in Suryapet NEW DELHI, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Indians burned portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday as families cremated the remains of some of the 20 soldiers killed in brutal…

Namibia faces red locust invasion

WINDHOEK, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Namibia’s Ministry of Agriculture said it had detected an outbreak of red locusts in central regions of the southern African country and had sent pest control teams to the affected areas. The large grasshopper species, which is marked by bright red wings, is common to…

Covid-19: West African ministers propose phased re-opening of borders

A security guard pours hand sanitising gel into a shopper’s hands as he enters the Tejuoso shopping complex at the Yaba market, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Lagos, Nigeria March 23, 2020.  ABIDJAN, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — West African government ministers have proposed re-opening borders between their countries in the…

Australia cyber attack: PM Morrison warns of ‘sophisticated’ state hack

CANBERRA, June 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Australia’s government and institutions are being targeted by an ongoing sophisticated state-based cyber hack, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says. Morrison said the cyber attacks were widespread, covering “all levels of government” as well as essential service providers and businesses. He declined to identify a specific state actor,…

Covid-19: Chancellor Merkel says tackling coronavirus to be “leitmotif” for Germany’s EU presidency

BERLIN, June 19 (NNN-XINHUA) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday presented a basic outline and goals of Germany’s presidency of the EU Council starting in July, setting tackling COVID-19 as the “leitmotif” for its term. “Europe needs us as much as we need Europe,” said Merkel in a speech…