Covid-19: South Africa postpones reopening of schools after teachers unions defy return-to-work order

Teachers Union officials say schools do not yet have personal protective equipment PRETORIA, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa has pushed back Monday’s reopening of schools by a week, the Department of Basic Education said, saying that a substantial number are not ready to welcome back pupils.The plan for grades…

Russia denies US claim that Libyan banknotes seized in Malta are counterfeit, says for distribution by rival east-based government

MOSCOW/WASHINGTON, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libyan currency worth over $1 billion which was printed in Moscow and seized by Malta is not counterfeit, Russia’s foreign ministry said in response to US claims. The US State Department said on Friday that it “commends” the seizure of $1.1 billion of “counterfeit Libyan…

Covid-19: Rwanda reports its first death from the new coronavirus

KIGALI, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rwanda’s ministry of health on Sunday reported the East African nation’s first death caused by the new coronavirus.The victim was a 65-year-old driver who opted to return home from a neighbouring country, where he resided, after falling severely ill, the ministry said in a statement.He…

Covid-19: China to give Africa 30 million test kits monthly – South African Pres Ramaphosa

South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa PRETORIA, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China will give Africa 30 million test kits per month, as well as 10,000 ventilators and 80 million masks, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa disclosed on Sunday during a virtual meeting with top editors in the country. He did not…

Mozambique: Heavy fighting to retake town seized by militants – Pres Nyusi

MAPUTO, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi has said government forces engaged in extensive fighting against militants who overran a town in the north of the country on Thursday.It’s the first time the government has acknowledged the attack on Macomia – the third town to be seized by…

Militants target Burkina Faso market, aid convoy in deadly attacks

Government soldiers on patrol OUAGADOUGOU, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Militants in Burkina Faso attacked a cattle market and a humanitarian convoy on Saturday, killing at least 35 people, the government said.The latest violence underscores deep instability in parts of Burkina Faso, which has been battling armed groups with links to…

US unrest: Man’s body found near burning car in Minneapolis – police

MINNEAPOLIS, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The body of an unidentifiedman was found early Sunday near a burning vehicle in Minneapolis,police in the protest-rocked northern US city said. Police spokesman John Elder said the body showed obvious signs oftrauma, and the death was under investigation by the city’s homicideunit. It was…

Covid-19: Brazil virus death toll hits 28,834, surpassing hard-hit France

BRASILIA, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil has reached 28,834coronavirus fatalities, authorities said, surpassing hard-hit France andbecoming the country with the world’s fourth-highest death toll. At the epicenter of South America’s coronavirus outbreak, Brazil also sawan increase of 33,274 cases in the past 24 hours — a new daily record, theHealth…

Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem reopens after two months

JERUSALEM, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound — the third holiest site in Islam after Makkah and Medina in Saudi Arabia — reopened on Sunday after being closed for more than two months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Worshippers in protective masks were allowed to enter the compound…

Egypt says 19 suspected militants killed in restive Sinai

CAIRO, June 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Egypt’s military said it killed 19suspected militants in targeted ground and air operations as part of itsbattle to quell a long-running insurgency in north Sinai. In a video statement replete with a dramatic score released on its socialmedia, the army said troops killed three “extremely…