Covid-19: UN chief praises Africa’s ‘swift’ response

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary General António Guterres has praised Africa’s “swift” response to the coronavirus pandemic, with reported cases much lower than initially feared. He said in a statement, “Most [African countries] have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health…

Voting begins in Burundi elections; results expected on May 25

Seven candidates are seeking to replace President Pierre Nkurunzinza BUJUMBURA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Polling stations in Burundi opened at 06:00 local time (04:00GMT) Wednesday with around five million voters expected to participate in the elections.Voters will be electing their president, members of parliament and communal council members.Polling stations will…

More than 200 killed in South Sudan inter-communal violence

JUBA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 200 people were killed and at least 300 others wounded in inter-communal clashes last weekend in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, according to local leaders. Local officials say armed youth suspected of being from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area carried out attacks in four…

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…

Africa’s COVID-19 Cases Rise To 88,172

ADDIS ABABA, May 20 (NNN-ENA) – The number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases across Africa rose from 84,634 Monday afternoon, to 88,172 as of Tuesday afternoon, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The continental disease control and prevention agency, which noted that the virus has…

13,000 Turkey-Backed Syria Rebels Reach Libya Since Dec, 2019

DAMASCUS, May 20 (NNN-SANA) – With the help of Turkey, as many as 13,000 rebels from Syria, have so far reached Libya, to fight against the east-based army, led by Khalifa Haftar, a war monitor reported, on Tuesday. A total of 300 of the rebels have been killed in battles…

Over 250,000 children in Libya at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases: UNICEF, WHO

Libyan children play in the Libyan capital Tripoli, controlled by the UN-recognised Government of National Accord TRIPOLI, May 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said that more than 250,000 children in war-torn Libya face the risk of developing vaccine-preventable diseases. “The…

Covid-19: Malawi VP candidate for July presidential elections urges supporters to hug

Candidates have been holding rallies in the run up to an election which is expected in July LILONGWE, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi Vice-President Saulos Chilima wants his supporters to literally embrace backers of other parties that he’s formed an alliance with. He has come under fire for his remarks…
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