Africa 54 - July 23, 2020

You are watching Africa 54, your daily news and feature magazine-style program, from the Voice of America. Host Esther Githui-Ewart and a team of correspondents zero in on the big stories making news on the continent and around the world with context and analysis. Top Stories: The United States reached another grim milestone by recording more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths for the second straight day. California topped its own milestone surpassing New York state with the most confirmed coronavirus infections with over 422,000. The U.S. continues to lead the world in coronavirus deaths with more than 143,000 and in overall infections with nearly four million of the world’s 15 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data. In Africa, the spread of COVID-19 is lagging behind much of the world, but it’s gaining momentum. Health authorities say the highly infectious virus is a heightened threat to countries with weak healthcare systems and especially to vulnerable populations of refugees, migrants and forcibly displaced people. The African continent passed 750,000 coronavirus infections Wednesday, with almost 16,000 deaths. But over 407,000 people on the continent have recovered from the disease, according to Reuters. The Kenya Private School Association is lobbying the government to help sustain their schools and teachers after authorities announced that, due to COVID-19, schools cannot open until January. Kenya's ministry of education is supporting public schools and teachers, but many private educators are turning to turn to other jobs to survive. In Ivory Coast, a former foreign minister has announced his candidacy for the October presidential election. Marcel Amon-Tanoh, once a partner of President Alassane Ouattara said that he wants to be a unifier of all Ivorians. He served as President Ouattara’s foreign minister from 2016 until March when he resigned. Sources close to Amon-Tanoh says he plans to form his own political party in coming days. New Lesotho Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro is under fire. The Lesotho Times is reporting that two principal secretaries are refusing to honor Majoro’s directives to vacate their offices so that newly appointed permanent secretaries can take over. Now, supporters of former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane are threatening to expose what they call Majoro’s “dirty secrets” if he does not give in to their demands to drop murder charges against Thabane. China is threatening to retaliate after the U.S. ordered the closure of its consulate in Houston, Texas, accusing Beijing of massive illegal spying and theft of American intellectual property. A54 Business: While many small businesses are continuing to struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a few are finding ways to keep going and even thrive. VOA's Gabrielle Weiss profiles a hair salon owner in Garrett Park, Maryland who has adapted to the changes. #Coronavirus #COVID19 #UnitedStates #Africa #Kenya #PrivateSchools #IvoryCoast #AlassaneOuattara #MarcelAmonTanoh #Lesotho #MoeketsiMajoro #China #Consulate #Houston #Texas #Business