Update: ‘Pandemic of racism’ led to George Floyd’s death, memorial told

 MINNEAPOLIS, June 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A lawyer for George Floyd has told a memorial service that a “pandemic of racism” led to his death. Those gathered at Thursday’s tribute stood in silence for eight minutes, 46 seconds, the amount of time Floyd was alleged to be on the ground under the control…

Yemen aid operations at risk after fundraiser falls $1bn short: UN

UNITED NATIONS, June 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Donors have pledged $1.35bn in humanitarian aid for Yemen – $1bn short of what the UN said was required to stop programmes being reduced or shut. Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Mark Lowcock warned: “Without more money we face a horrific outcome.” Five years of civil war have devastated Yemen…

Covid-19: US plane with 150 donated ventilators lands in Russia

MOSCOW, June 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US military plane carrying 150donated ventilators to help coronavirus patients landed in Moscow onThursday in the second such delivery to Russia, the US embassy said. The plane brought the number of US-manufactured ventilators sent bythe United States to Russia to 200, after the first…

Lebanon to shelter abandoned Ethiopian workers

BEIRUT, June 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The ministry of labour in Lebanon says it will give shelter to Ethiopian domestic workers abandoned without pay by their employers. An initial group of 35 Ethiopian women camping outside their consulate in Beirut has been housed in a hotel by the Lebanese authorities after…

Lebanese Embassy suspends issuance of working visas to Nigerians

ABUJA, June 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Lebanese Government said it has suspended issuing working visas to Nigerians seeking to work in Lebanon, particularly for domestic work. Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Houssam Diab made this known when chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa paid him a courtesy…

Oman to establish investment body to manage sovereign wealth funds

MUSCAT, June 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Sultan of Oman ordered the establishment of a national investment body to manage the country’s sovereign wealth funds, Oman News Agency reported. “All allocations, assets and investments” of State General Reserve Fund and Oman Investment Fund will be transferred to the Oman Investment Institution,…

Cyclone Nisarga rains leave 13 dead in Yemen

SANAA, June 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Torrential rains brought by Cyclone Nisarga have left 13 people dead, dozens injured and washed away numerous homes in eastern Yemen, a government official said. The official said that five children were among the provisional death toll in the Hadramout province, which has been lashed…

Covid-19: India pledges 15 million USD to international vaccine alliance

NEW DELHI, June 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged 15 million U.S. dollars to “Gavi”, the international vaccine alliance, while participating in the virtual Global Vaccine Summit 2020, said an official statement issued by the PM office. Addressing the summit, Modi said India stands in solidarity with…

Pakistan adheres to one-China policy: foreign ministry

ISLAMABAD, June 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Pakistan reiterated its longstanding position that it adheres to one-China principle regarding a decision to make a national security laws for Hong Kong by the Chinese top legislation body. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aisha Farooqui was responding to a question when asked that China is…

Covid-19: China to allow limited US passenger flights

BEIJING, June 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China said it would allow foreign airlines currently blocked from operating in the country over coronavirus concerns to resume limited flights, lifting a de facto ban on US carriers. The move by China’s civil aviation authority comes after Washington ordered the suspension of all flights…