UK PM Johnson gives adviser Cummings his 'full support'

LONDON, May 23 (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given his full support to his senior adviser Dominic Cummings after he travelled 400 km (250 miles) to northern England while his wife showed COVID-19 symptoms.

“I can tell you that the PM provides Mr Cummings with his full support,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told reporters.

Afghanistan's Taleban announces three-day Eid ceasefire

KABUL (AFP) – The Taleban announced a three-day ceasefire starting on Sunday (May 24) during the Eid al-Fitr holiday after carrying out a series of deadly attacks against Afghan forces in recent months.

“The leadership instructs all the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate to take special measures for security for the countrymen, and conduct no offensive operation against the enemy anywhere,” a spokesman for the Taleban, Zabihullah Mujahid said.

Mali elections: Constitutional Court confirms results

Despite attacks from armed groups and the spread of coronavirus, the runoff vote was held in April.

Mali’s Constitutional Court has confirmed the results of the legislative election, the second round of which was held in April.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita’s party has won the most seats in parliament but not an outright majority.

The coronavirus pandemic and a threat from armed groups led to a record low turnout.

Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque reports.

Pedestrian killed during hit-and-run in Denver

A pedestrian was killed during a hit-and-run crash Friday night in Denver’s Valverde neighborhood, Denver police tweeted.

An adult male was hit near the intersection of West Alameda Avenue and South Yuma Street. The individual was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Authorities are still developing suspect info.

The intersection was closed to traffic Friday night after the incident.

COVID-19 crisis curbs oil demand: Nigeria braces for further cuts

Experts warn the current instability in the oil market may further damage the economy.

Africa’s largest oil producer Nigeria relies heavily on oil revenue for its economy but the huge surplus in global supply is causing further damage.

Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris reports from the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Ramadan in Jerusalem: New way of observing the holy month

Restrictions are beginning to ease and economic activity is gradually returning to the streets.

For the second Friday of Ramadan, Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque compound remains closed and the streets of the Old City are unusually quiet.

Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem are having to adjust to a new way of observing the holy month while dealing with the economic uncertainty of the lockdown.

Al Jazeera’s Harry Fawcett reports.

Montreal police investigate bodies of man, woman found near east end home

Montreal police say major crimes detectives have been dispatched to an east-end home where the bodies of two people have been found.

Const. Julien Lévesque says a call came in about 10 a.m. for police to go to a private home in the Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough on Saturday morning.

More than 90 countries request IMF bailout

International Monetary Fund has collected trillions from donors as COVID-19 fuels global economic crisis.

More than 90 countries have requested bailouts from the IMF, which has collected trillions of dollars from donors.

Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher looks at where the money is coming from and whether the borrowing countries will have the ability to repay it.

Coronavirus: La Liga can restart from 8 June, says Spanish prime minister

La Liga has been given the go-ahead to restart from 8 June, Spain’s prime minister has announced.

The Spanish top-flight was suspended on 12 March because of coronavirus.

With 11 rounds of fixtures still to play, the league stepped up its preparations for a resumption this week as group training of up to 10 players was allowed.

Oil production cuts: Agreement comes into effect on Friday

The International Energy Agency estimates global storage capacity could be full by mid-June.

An agreement among the world’s major oil producers to cut output comes into effect on Friday.

It follows a collapse in global oil prices, spurred by a slump in demand because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It seems the deal may have happened only because US President Donald Trump reportedly pressured Saudi Arabia, implying the United States may withdraw military support.

Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid reports.

eSwatini cuts rates further in response to virus

MBABANE, May 23 (Reuters) – The central bank of eSwatini has cut its main lending rate by 50 basis points to 4%, its latest reduction in recent months in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

In a statement on Friday, the bank cited the impact of the pandemic on its growth prospects, with the economy expected to shrink by 6.16% in 2020 under a pessimistic scenario.

Its rate decisions have also aligned with those in neighbouring South Africa, which also cut its main lending rate by 50 basis points on Thursday. eSwatini’s local currency is pegged to the South African rand. (Reporting by Lunga Masuku; editing by Emma Rumney and David Evans)

Winnipeg hotel fire sends one to hospital

One person was taken to the hospital in stable condition following a fire at a Winnipeg hotel.

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to a fire at the Windsor Hotel on Garry Street.

When crews arrived on scene, they saw smoke coming from the building but the fire had already been extinguished.