Covid-19: Global death toll passes 425,000

PARIS, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIE) — The coronavirus pandemic has killed 425,000 people since it emerged in China late last year, according to a tally of official sources at 0130 GMT on Saturday. A total of 425,282 deaths have now been recorded from 7,632,517 cases. Europe has registered 186,843 deaths from…

Covid-19: UN warns of looming crisis as virus strands ship crews at sea

UNITED NATIONS, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for countries to relieve ship crews stranded at sea for long periods due to lockdowns imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic. “The Secretary-General calls on all countries to formally designate seafarers and other marine personnel as ‘key workers’ and…

US unrest: Minneapolis council agrees to replace police with community model

MINNEAPOLIS, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Minneapolis leaders voted unanimously Friday to disband the US city’s police force and replace it with a “community” safety department, a reaction to transformational changes demanded in mass protests against racial injustice. The plan comes three weeks after the death of African-American George Floyd while…

Covid-19: Pres Putin makes first public appearance in weeks of lockdown in Russia

MOSCOW, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first public appearance in weeks of coronavirus lockdown to celebrate the country’s national day. He used the Russia Day holiday to promote a controversial reform of the constitution which could keep him in office until 2036. Putin, 67,…

Racism: UK PM defends history in statue row

Authorities boarded up several statues, including one of World War II leader Winston Churchill. LONDON, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a wave of anti-racism protests across Britain had been “hijacked by extremists”, as fears mounted about clashes between activists and far-right groups.In London, authorities boarded up…

Covid-19: US companies sack 44.2 million workers

WASHINGTON, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Total US layoffs caused by the Coronavirus pandemic reached 44.2 million even as businesses try to reopen, and analysts warn of continuing damage to the world’s largest economy as COVID-19 shows few signs of abating.Wall Street stocks plunged Thursday, reversing recent momentum as traders became spooked by…

US unrest: Pres Trump says police choke holds should be banned in most instances

WASHINGTON, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Friday that he would like to see a ban on police choke holds in most instances, although he suggested their use would be understandable in some one-on-one situations. “I don’t like choke holds … (but)…

Nigeria: Governors declare state of emergency after spike in rape, violence against women and children

ABUJA, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian governors have declared a state of emergency over rape and violence against women and children in the country. This follows a spike in cases of gender-based violence during the recent lockdown imposed in some states to limit the spread of coronavirus. In a statement,…

Covid-19: South Africa police minister wants alcohol ban reinstated as crime cases rises

Alcohol sale was allowed from Monday to Thursday PRETORIA, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele has attributed rising crime in the country to the partial lifting of alcohol sales.Cele said he hoped the National Coronavirus Command Council would discuss the matter and “do the right thing”.Alcohol-fuelled violence is…

Poachers kill famous mountain gorilla in Uganda as 1,790 poaching suspects arrested in Namibia

Rafiki was the oldest to ever be habituated in the country KAMPALA/WINDHOEK, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four men are in police custody in Uganda suspected to have killed a well-known silverback mountain gorilla in the south-western Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Rafiki was the head of a 17-member group, the oldest…