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Zimbabwe: Medical team hails local laboratory tests

The visiting Chinese anti-Covid-19 medical delegation has given the thumbs up to Zimbabwe’s National Microbiology Reference Laboratory in Harare. Chinese laboratory scientist Dr Zhang Di said the facility was at par with the laboratory he works for back in China. “I am very impressed with the equipment and the arrangement of this laboratory, I think […]

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KRA urges Kenyans to file their returns

The Kenya Revenue Authority has urged Kenyans to file their 2019 annual tax returns before the June 30 deadline, the coronavirus pandemic notwithstanding. “As we continue to stay at home so as to avert the spread of Covid-19, it is an opportune time to reflect on the past year of income (2019) and file our […]

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Egypt set to step up crackdown on journalists as world celebrates press freedom

UNESCO launched a global campaign this year called “Journalism without fear or favor” to celebrate journalists on World Press Freedom Day on May 3. But in Egypt, the celebration had a different taste with more restrictions inflicted on journalists. On May 12, the Egyptian Supreme Council for Media Regulation banned journalists and contributors to any […]

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Sudan and Egypt set to resume talks on Nile dam project

Sudan and Egypt have resumed talks on pending issues over the Nile dam project in Ethiopia, the Sudanese Council of Ministers said Tuesday. The council said in a statement that the meeting was attended by Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his Egyptian counterpart Mustafa Madbouli along with the ministers of foreign affairs and water […]

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UAE develops rapid laser testing technology for coronavirus

QuantLase Imaging Lab, the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange-listed medical research arm of the International Holdings Company, IHC, announced that it has developed novel equipment that allows for much faster mass screening, with test results available in seconds and allowing testing on a wider scale. The technology will improve the role of the UAE as a […]

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NNPC set to build hospitals in 14 states

To strengthen the nation’s health sector, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, is set to build robust medical facilities in 14 states. He made the disclosure in Abuja during the hand over of the 20 ventilators donated by Ocea S.A through Mystrose Defence Systems Limited to the Federal […]

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East African truck drivers face COVID-19 backlash

Kenya’s Namanga border has been classified as a high-risk area by the government after recording a high number of COVID-19 infections in the area, especially among truck drivers. Drivers who transport essential goods to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan say they are harassed and attacked because of rumors […]

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‘I feel blessed,’ says the latest Muslim who marks first Ramadan in the UAE

The 23-year-old Ugandan barista became a Muslim just four days before the UAE fasting month began on April 24. His first ever Ramadan is filled with prayer and fasting, and ample free time to learn more about Islam. In 2018, Ssentongo came from his native district of Mityana to Dubai in search of jobs. But […]

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Nigeria: Electricity workers threaten strike over sack of labour leader

The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has threatened to resume its pending strike, if a purported letter sacking its President, Mr Chris Okonkwo, was not withdrawn immediately. The association General Secretary, Mr Abubakar Dubagari, made this known in a statement on Friday. The Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr […]

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Limpopo farmer fights municipality for compensation

An 85-year-old farmer has accused a Limpopo local municipality of refusing to compensate him for fire damages after municipal workers allegedly torched his farm while burning rubbish. Harold Ramahala of Mohlaka Mosoma village in Bolobedu, near Modjadjiskloof, said four years ago refuse collectors burnt rubbish close to his 21-hectares vegetable farm and the fire spread […]

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Egypt presses on with new capital in the desert

While Egypt’s economy has stumbled due to the coronavirus outbreak, construction at a new capital taking shape east of Cairo is continuing at full throttle after a short pause to adjust working practices, officials say. The level of activity at the desert site reflects the new city’s political importance even as the government grapples with […]

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Prisons capacity enhanced as virus claims three more lives

The Health ministry in partnership with county governments has begun enhancing capacity in prisons to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The ministry has identified prisons as one of the high-risk areas after some inmates in Industrial Area Prison tested positive. “We are concerned about the prison environment. It is one of those high-risk areas […]

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S. Africa deports 900 undocumented migrants

More than 900 undocumented migrants from Southern African countries were deported to their original nations last week, said a South African official on Monday. Bongani Bongo, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs of Parliament, revealed this during a visit to the Lindela Repatriation Center for undocumented migrants in Gauteng. The visit came after […]

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Zimbabwe Records ZERO New COVID-19 Cases On 10 May 2020

The Ministry of Health and Child Care didi not a single COVID-19 positive case on all 270 rapid screening tests and 279 PCR tests conducted in Harare on Sunday. Therefore, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remain at 36 including 9 recoveries and 4 deaths. In its coronavirus (COVID-19) update for 10 May 2020 […]

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Ethiopia admits shooting down Kenyan plane

Ethiopia has admitted that they shot down on Monday a Kenyan plane carrying humanitarian and medical supplies, killing all six people onboard. In a statement to the African Union, the Ethiopian military said they interpreted the plane’s “unusual flight” as a “potential suicide mission,” adding the crew did not inform authorities of any aircraft flying […]

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BREAKING: Nigeria’s Coronavirus cases hit 4,151, with 239 new cases

Nigeria recorded 239 fresh cases of Coronavirus on Saturday, taking its overall total to 4,151 infections. Lagos leads the pack with 97 new cases, while Bauchi recorded 44 new infections and Kano, ramping up 29 fresh cases. In the figures released by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC , on Saturday, Katsina recorded 19 […]

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Street beggars in South Africa struggle under lockdown

The homeless in Johannesburg South Africa are the most affected by containment measures that have been in place in the country for more than a month. With these restrictive measures, this very disadvantaged section of the population can no longer count on the generosity of motorists, shopkeepers or pedestrians. Without any social safety net, the […]