Syria War: New US sanctions target Assad’s wife, foreign backers

WASHINGTON/DAMASCUS, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US has imposed tough new economic sanctions aimed at deterring foreign business activity with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The measures in the Caesar Act seek to compel the government to “halt its murderous attacks” on civilians and accept a peaceful political transition. For the first time,…

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s car involved in crash involving protesters outside Parliament

UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson LONDON, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s car was involved in a minor accident as he left the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday. As Johnson’s car left Parliament to drive the short distance to Downing Street following the weekly session of Prime…

Covid-19: World Bank provides $400 million to boost health insurance in Egypt

WASHINGTON, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank said it would provide $400 million to support universal health coverage in Egypt as the country struggles with rising numbers of new Coronavirus cases.The funding will help Egypt increase the reach of its universal health insurance system in six governorates and offer temporary financial…

Egypt passes electoral changes that could bolster Pres Sisi supporters

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt CAIRO, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Egypt’s parliament approved amendments which critics say will help supporters of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extend their dominance over the chamber in elections expected this year. All of those currently elected on the closed-list system belong to a pro-Sisi coalition.…

Nigeria: Two children die as building collapses following mudslide after heavy downpour

‘The building collapsed due to mudslide resulting from a downpour ABUJA, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two children lost their lives after being trapped beneath the rubble of a single-storey building which collapsed in the Gafari Balogun area of Ogudu, Lagos State. Confirming the incident, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management…

Mozambique to pay ‘danger money’ to health workers, soldiers

A sculpture commemorates the massacre of unarmed Mozambicans in Mueda MAPUTO, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Health workers and soldiers in Mozambique are to be given “danger money” for putting their lives on the line to protect people, the president has said. Filipe Nyusi made the announcement at an event to…

New South Africa Airways restructuring plan announced, costing government $600m

The airline has consistently under-performed for the best part of the decade PRETORIA, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After months of wrangling and internal disputes, cash-strapped South African Airways (SAA) finally has a business rescue plan, but it’s going to cost the state nearly $600m for the plan to work. The…

Covid-19: About 9% of Guinea-Bissau health workers infected as coronavirus spread – WHO

BISSAU, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 170 of Guinea-Bissau’s 2,000 health workers have contracted COVID-19, a World Health Organization expert said, warning that hospitals were close to being overwhelmed. The tiny West African nation’s under-equipped healthcare system has been struggling to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, which…

US freezes assets of Nigerians over romance scams

The majority of victims are women and the elderly WASHINGTON, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US authorities say they have frozen the assets of six Nigerian nationals for cyber fraud amounting to about $6m. The fraudsters targeted American individuals and small businesses in an “elaborate scheme’’ of romantic fraud or…

Nigeria: Pres Buhari calls for patience to tackle bandits as violence spike

ABUJA, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has urged for patience in the military’s fight against bandits in north-western states.Last week in Katsina state 150 gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on residents, looting shops and stealing cattle in the village of Kadisau.In a statement tweeted by his spokesperson,…