Covid-19: Minibus drivers in South Africa strike over coronavirus funding

JOHANNESBURG, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Drivers of minibus taxis in South Africa’s financial hub Gauteng went on strike to demand more financial support from government, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Dozens of taxis blocked busy roads in Johannesburg and Pretoria, confronting police and soldiers. Many people were stuck at taxi…

Covid-19: Zambia approves $438 million economic stimulus package

Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of Zambia LUSAKA, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s cabinet approved a 8 billion kwacha economic stimulus package financed through a COVID-19 bond in an effort to alleviate the pandemic’s impact, the presidency said. Zambia, Africa’s second largest copper producer, has been wrestling with growing public debt…

ICC member states rally round court in the face of US action

THE HAGUE, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Member states of the International Criminal Court – including 13 from Africa – have come out in support of the Court in response to new US sanctions against the institution. On June 11, in retaliation for the ICC proceeding with investigations into war crimes…

Covid-19: EU considers barring Americans from travel list

BRUSSELS, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — EU ambassadors are meeting to plan reopening external borders on July 1, and travellers from the US could be among those not allowed in. A number of European countries are keen to open up to tourists but others are wary of the continued spread of…

Tanzania: Paper banned over ‘evil intent’ as opposition party leader arrested ahead of polls

Tanzania Daima was accused of failing to comply with warnings DAR ES SALAAM, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Tanzania Daima newspaper has lost its licence for repeatedly violating the country’s laws and “the ethics of journalism”, Tanzania’s information ministry says. From Wednesday, the privately owned paper is not allowed to…

Somalia push to get militias to disarm and join police

Militia groups have held sway in Galmudug for the last 20 years MOGADISHU, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Militias in central Somalia are being encouraged to disarm and join the police.Over the past two decades, the Galmudug region has been overrun by various militias, including pirates, al-Shabaab militants and the moderate…

Covid-19: South Africa’s govt to borrow $7 billion as debt rises

PRETORIA, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Finance Minister Tito Mboweni says government will need to borrow US$7 billion from international finance institutions as one of the measures to cover the budget hole brought about by South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Also, measures and reforms would need to be implemented to…

Mozambique uproar over TV panel’s drunk MP

Antonio Muchanga had to be asked to leave the studio MAPUTO, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mozambique’s main opposition party Renamo has apologised for the embarrassing behaviour of Antonio Muchanga, one of its most prominent MPs, who appeared drunk on a TV political discussion show.Muchanga was so inebriated when he was…

Zambia’s health minister arrested for corruption

Chitalu Chilufya has been health minister for nearly four years LUSAKA, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has been arrested on allegations of corruption.The 47-year-old doctor and politician was detained and then freed on bail by the police following an investigation by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).“Dr…

Gabon MPs vote to decriminalise homosexuality

Homosexuality is still broadly seen as a social taboo in Gabon LIBREVILLE, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Members of Gabon’s lower house of parliament have voted to decriminalise homosexuality, becoming one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa to reverse a law that punishes sexual relations between people of the same…
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