Covid-19: No mandatory jab for Copa America players in Brazil

BRASILIA, June 10 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazil’s Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga announced players taking part in the upcoming Copa América shall not be required to be vaccinated, contrary to what had been announced last week. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) made a last-minute decision to reschedule the event from Colombia…

US provides over US$181 million to avert famine in Tigray, Ethiopia

WASHINGTON, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is providing more than US$181 million to deliver food, water and aid to feed more than three million people it said were facing famine in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where thousands have been killed since conflict erupted in November. The aid,…

Russian court brands Navalny political organisations ‘extremist’

MOSCOW, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A court in Moscow branded the political organisations of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny as “extremist” and barred them from working in Russia, a further blow to the embattled opposition ahead of parliamentary elections. The ruling could spell the end for Navalny’s anti-corruption organisation, which…

US asks Mexico to investigate second case of union busting

WASHINGTON, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — For the second time in a month, the United States demanded Mexico look into a case of a company in the auto industry blocking worker efforts to unionize. US President Joe Biden ran for office as a champion of American workers, and pledged to take…

Covid-19: South Africa’s health minister put on leave over graft allegations

Zweli Mkhize, South Africa’s health minister PRETORIA, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s health minister was placed on special leave over a corruption scandal involving an irregular government contract where $11 million was paid to a company connected to two people who used to work for him.Zweli Mkhize has been…

Somalia: Blast kills at least 61 al-Shabaab fighters in a warehouse

Al – Shabaab militants blasted to death MOGADISHU, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 61 Al-Shabaab militants and foreign nationals were killed in an explosion at a village in southern Somalia, the national army said in a statement.The blast went off inside a house at Ala-Futow village, located some 285…

Nigeria now has 211 million people – UNFPA report

Nigeria’s population grew by 2.6 percent between 2015 and 2020 ABUJA, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in a report has set Nigeria’s population to 211 million while the country’s life expectancy for men and women was retained at 54 and 56 respectively.The UNFPA’s latest ‘State…

Campaign ends in Algeria ahead of June 12 legislative polls

Algerians are gearing up for the June 12 elections ALGIERS, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Political campaigns for Algeria’s impending legislative elections ended Tuesday as Algerians gear up for the June 12 elections to elect members of parliament.Supporters of Algeria’s MSP party rally ahead of the civic exercise.“Be it our way,…

UN: Two aid workers killed in an ambush in South Sudan

Two aid workers were ambushed and murdered JUBA, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN condemned the murder of two aid workers in South Sudan and called on authorities to bring their killers to justice following a spate of similar attacks.The victims were ambushed Monday evening as their convoy returned from…

Uganda president appoints women as Vice-President, Prime Minister

L – R: Uganda VP Jessica Alupo and PM Robinah Nabbanja KAMPALA, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni has appointed two women to top government positions of Vice-President and Prime Minister.The development was contained in a new cabinet list released Tuesday.Museveni named Jessica Alupo, a former Education minister…