Sri Lanka Extends Curfew To Curb Spread Of COVID-19

COLOMBO, Mar 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – The Sri Lankan Police announced that, the nationwide curfew, imposed on Friday, will be extended in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 across the country. In a statement, the police said, Gampaha, on the outskirts and Puttalam district, in the north western province,…

Russian, Belarusian Prime Ministers Discuss Energy Cooperation

MOSCOW, Mar 22 (NNN-TASS) – Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin and his Belarusian counterpart, Sergei Rumas, held a phone conversation concerning energy issues, the Russian government said. “The heads of government noted the achievement of principle agreements on the parameters of cooperation in the oil sector, taking into account the…

COVID-19 Cases In Italy Reach 53,578, Death Toll At 4,825

ROME, Mar 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – Italy reported 6,557 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, raising the total to 53,578, since the pandemic first broke out in its north on Feb 21, according to the latest data, provided by the Civil Protection Department, managing the COVID-19 emergency. A further 793 people…

Three Killed In Uganda Prison Riot

KAMPALA, Mar 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – At least three prisoners were killed and six others injured, after riots occurred Saturday afternoon, in the northwestern Ugandan district of Arua, prison authorities said. Violent clashes took place after a prisoner, who tried to climb the perimeter of the prison to escape, was gunned…

Namibian President Sworn In For Second Term On Independence Day

WINDHOEK, Mar 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – Namibian President, Hage Geingob, was sworn in yesterday, for his second and last term, coinciding with the country’s 30th independence celebration. Geingob underscored the need for unity among Namibians, and also thanked the other presidents from other African countries, who attended the inauguration. “I am…

Turkey Steps Up COVID-19 Testing Amid Surging Cases

ISTANBUL, Mar 22 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkey stepped up COVID-19 testing as the number of infected cases increased exponentially in recent days. Turkey carried out more than 10,000 tests for COVID-19 so far, the country’s Health Minister, Fahrettin Koca, announced, voicing hope to increase the number of tests per day. So…

All 79 Cambodians Back From Mosque Event In Malaysia Already Tested For COVID-19

PHNOM PENH, Mar 22 (NNN-AKP) – A senior Cambodian official said, all 79 Cambodians, who returned home from a mass religious ceremony in Malaysia, had already been tested for COVID-19. Citing a health ministry statement, Othsman Hassan, a senior minister in charge of Islamic affairs, said, 25 of them tested…

Iran, France Swap Prisoners Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

TEHRAN, Mar 22 (NNN-TASNIM) – Iran and France swapped prisoners amid COVID-19 outbreak in both countries. France released the Iranian engineer, Jalal Ruhollahnejad, who had been detained at the airport in Nice, in 2019, over alleged violations of Washington sanctions against Tehran. As part of the swap, Iran also released…

Rwanda Closes Primate Conservation Parks Over COVID-19 Outbreak

KIGALI, Mar 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Rwanda announced that, it suspended tourism and research activities in three primate-dominated national parks effective immediately. Tourism and research activities have been temporarily suspended in and around three national parks of primates, namely, Volcanoes, Mukura-Gishwati and Nyungwe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rwanda Development…

Brazil Steps Up Measures As COVID-19 Cases Up 45 Percent In One Day

RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar 21 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brazil increased by 45 percent in one day, reaching 904 including 11 deaths, the Health Ministry announced. Sao Paulo state becomes the most infected state in Brazil, with 396 confirmed cases, including two deaths. Rio…