Covid-19: Zimbabwe raises salaries by 50% as inflation spikes

Civil servants wants their salaries to be paid in US dollars HARARE, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s government says it will increase civil servants’ wages in the light of economic challenges worsened by Covid-19. The finance minister said that with immediate effect, salaries and pensions would be increased by 50%.…

Covid-19: Japan to launch clinical trial of vaccine on June 30

TOKYO, June 18 (NNN-XINHUA) – A clinical trail of a potential vaccine for COVID-19 developed by a medical startup will start on June 30 in Japan, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura announced, saying it will be the first clinical test on humans in the country. In April this year, the prefectural…

Covid-19: Latest global developments

PARIS, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Here are some of the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis. INDIA: Official death toll leaps by more than 2,000 in 24 hours.Authorities say the sharp increase in fatalities to 11,903 is mainlydue to Mumbai and Delhi updating their figures. Germany urges its nationals in…

Covid-19: Extraordinary China-Africa Summit chairs by Chinese Pres Xi

BEIJING, June 18 (NNN-XINHUA) – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday chaired the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 in Beijing. The summit, held via video link, was jointly proposed by China, South Africa, the rotating chair of the African Union (AU), and Senegal, the co-chair of the Forum…

Covid-19: China battles to contain new cluster infections

BEIJING, June 18 (NNN-XINHUA) — China has upgraded its emergency response to COVID-19 from Level III to Level II, the second-highest of the four-tier system, as Beijing, the capital city, is battling to contain new clusters of COVID-19. From June 11 to 16, Beijing reported 137 domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases,…

Border clash: Indian PM Modi seeks peace but warns Beijing of befitting reply

NEW DELHI, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said New Delhi wants peace with China but the country is capable of giving a “befitting reply” following the border clashes that killed 20 Indian soldiers and reportedly claimed lives of a higher number of soldiers on Chinese side.…

DR Congo’s gold being smuggled out by the tonne, UN report finds

KINSHASA, June 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gold production in Democratic Republic of Congo continues to be systematically underreported while tonnes of the precious metal is smuggled into global supply chains through its eastern neighbours, a United Nations report has found. The countries along Congo’s eastern border have long been conduits for…

Burundi’s new president Ndayishimiye to be sworn in Thursday

Evariste Ndayishimiye is set to take over Burundi’s presidency from Pierre Nkurunziza BUJUMBURA, June 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Burundi’s newly-elected president Evariste Ndayishimiye will be sworn in on Thursday, the foreign ministry announced, in a ceremony fast-tracked by the sudden death of the incumbent, Pierre Nkurunziza. Nkurunziza died on June 8 aged…

Tanzania: Pres Magufuli pledges free and fair election in October vote

President John Magufuli will be seeking a second term DAR ES SALAAM, June 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzanian President John Magufuli has vowed to allow “free and fair” elections as he seeks a second term in October’s general election. He told politicians to “avoid insults and violence” while campaigning as he…

Honduran president, wife tests positive for COVID-19

TEGUCIGALPA, June 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez announced in a message to the nation that he and his wife Ana Garcia both tested positive for the novel coronavirus. “Today I was diagnosed as having been infected with COVID-19,” said Hernandez in a televised speech. “I have mild…