French and Russian leaders to hold video summit Friday

PARIS, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a videoconference with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, with the coronavirus pandemic and the crises in Libya and Syria on their agenda, France announced Wednesday. The situations in Iran and Ukraine will also be raised, as well as…

Covid-19: Millions of migrant workers face uncertainty amid coronavirus – ILO

GENEVA, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations’ International Labor Organization (ILO) called on governments to protect millions of migrant workers that are plunging into despair due to the COVID-19 crisis. The ILO warned that tens of millions of migrant workers have been left unemployed. It is estimated that 164 million migrant…

Libya: Eastern-based Parliament Speaker urges Egypt to intervene in battle against UN-backed government

BENGHAZI (Libya), June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The speaker of Libya’s eastern-based Parliament Aguila Saleh urged Egypt to intervene militarily if the forces from the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) attack the strategic city of Sirte. An Egyptian intervention in Libya would be “legitimate … if the terrorist and armed…

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…
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