Covid-19: Malawi VP candidate for July presidential elections urges supporters to hug

Candidates have been holding rallies in the run up to an election which is expected in July LILONGWE, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi Vice-President Saulos Chilima wants his supporters to literally embrace backers of other parties that he’s formed an alliance with. He has come under fire for his remarks…

Covid-19: South Africa army ‘begins setting up field hospitals’

The military has been mobilised to enforce a nationwide lockdown PRETORIA, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The South African army has begun to build four field hospitals as the country prepares for “the devastating impact” of Covid-19.“The army, which ordered all its staff back to work on May 1, is also…

Covid-19: Nigerian wedding guests flee coronavirus raid

The bride and groom fleeing the scene CALABAR (Nigeria), May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A pastor in Nigeria’s southern city of Calabar has been arrested for breaching lockdown rules by conducting a wedding in his church. In a video, guests can be seen fleeing as officials entered the building. The pastor,…

Somalia/Chad: Floods leave dozens dead, thousands displaced – UN

At least 24 have died so far by the floods MOGADISHU/N’DJAMENA, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dozens have been killed in flooding in SOMALIA that has affected nearly 1 million people and displaced over 400,000 from their homes, according to the United Nations.People struggled to wade through floodwater in the central…

Murder-suspect Thomas Thabane resigns as Lesotho prime minister; replacement to be sworn in Tuesday

The 80-year-old Thomas Thabane is one of Africa’s oldest leaders MASERU, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thomas Thabane has announced he will step down as prime minister of Lesotho following months of pressure after he was named as a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife. He did not say when…

Covid-19: First case detected in Ecuador Amazon tribe

The first case of the novel coronavirus has been detected in one of Ecuador’s indigenous Amazon tribes, the Waorani QUITO, May 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The first case of the novel coronavirus has been detected in one of Ecuador’s indigenous Amazon tribes, the health ministry said. Waorani organisations – speaking through…

Mexicans dying from adulterated alcohol as beer runs dry

A view of empty fridges following the shortage of beer, after the breweries countrywide closed their production due to Covid-19 MEXICO CITY, May 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Scores of Mexicans are dying from drinking adulterated liquor, a consequence of the shortage of mainstream alcoholic beverages during the coronavirus pandemic, authorities say.…

Covid-19: Nigeria impounds British plane for breaking flight ban rules – Aviation Minister

Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s Minister of State on Aviation ABUJA, May 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria impounded a plane operated by a British company for allegedly contravening a flight ban imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the aviation minister said. Passenger flights into the country, with the exception of ones…

Nearly 50 migrants plucked from waters off Spain’s Gran Canaria

Migrants rescued in the Atlantic Ocean disembark from a Spanish coast MADRID, May 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s coast guard rescued 49 African migrants from a dinghy drifting a few miles off the coast of Gran Canaria on Sunday, a spokesman for the organisation said, the latest arrivals in a months-long…

Covid-19: Tanzania President Magufuli says hospital numbers reducing

Some churches have stopped services, but some, like this one, have been packed DAR ES SALAAM, May 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) —There has been a “sharp decline” in the number of coronavirus patients in Tanzania’s hospitals, the president said, four days after the US embassy in the country reported that many hospitals had…