Lesotho’s new PM sworn in but faces task of uniting fractious elite

Moeketsi Majoro MASERU, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Moeketsi Majoro was sworn in as Lesotho’s new prime minister on Wednesday, a day after his predecessor resigned under pressure over a scandal involving the killing of his wife. Majoro, who was previously finance minister, took the oath at the king’s palace in front…

Covid-19: Africa reports 91,413 cases; 2,907 deaths; 35,828 recoveries – WHO, CDC

ABUJA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There are now over 90,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the African continent, with a number of countries imposing a range of prevention and containment measures against the spread of the pandemic. According to the latest data by the “John Hopkins University” and Africa Center…

World Bank approves $1 billion funding for Kenya budget support

Kenya’s Finance Minister Ukur Yatani WASHINGTON, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank has approved a $1 billion loan for Kenya to help it close a gaping budget deficit and tackle the economic shocks from the coronavirus pandemic.The loan, initiated before the health crisis started, is the second ever such…

Roundup: WHO to review virus response as Trump renews attack

GENEVA, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization said it would launch an independent review of its response to the coronavirus pandemic as US President Donald Trump renewed his attack on the global body, branding it a “puppet of China”. Washington is locked in an increasingly bitter spat with…

Covid-19: Half of Chile senate, four ministers in quarantine

SANTIAGO, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Around half of Chile’s 50-member senate and four ministers have been placed in quarantine after coming into contact with at least three colleagues infected with the novel coronavirus, officials said. Finance Minister Ignacio Briones and Chief of Staff Felipe Ward both wrote on Twitter that…

Covid-19: UK jobless claims jump to highest since 1996 as virus crisis hits

Britain’s economy shrank two percent in the first three months of the year, rocked by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic LONDON, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Britain soared to its highest level since 1996 in April, the first full month of the…

Covid-19: India’s infections surge past 100,000, deaths top 3,000

A woman and her baby wait for a bus to take them to a railway station to board a train to their home state of Uttar Pradesh NEW DELHI, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Coronavirus cases in India reached 100,000 on Tuesday, matching the number of intensive care unit beds in…

Covid-19: Chile’s poor clash with police amid concerns over food shortages

A woman is detained after shouting slogans against riot police at a poor neighborhood SANTIAGO, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police and protesters clashed in Santiago amid a city-wide lockdown meant to stem the spread of the coronavirus as local officials warned that food shortages had hit one of the Chilean…

Covid-19: Qatar confirms virus in jail, denies widespread outbreak

Qatar has confirmed 12 Covid-19 cases in prison DOHA, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Qatar confirmed 12 cases of COVID-19 at a jail as campaign group Human Rights Watch warned other prisoners could be at risk of contracting the disease. Two inmates were acutely ill but none had succumbed to the respiratory…

Covid-19 deadliest in New York City’s black and Latino neighbourhoods, data shows

NEW YORK, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Some New York City neighbourhoods have seen death rates from the novel coronavirus nearly 15 times higher than others, according to data released by New York City’s health department showing the disproportionate toll taken on poor communities. The data shows for the first time…