Covid-19: Pres Trump says US will gradually reopen economy

WASHINGTON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump said he is recommending a gradual reopening of the US economy from the catastrophic shutdown ordered to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “Based on the latest data, our team of experts now agree that we can begin the next front in…

Drug smugglers hide $1.3 million worth of cocaine in UK face mask consignment

LONDON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British customs officers have seized 14 kg of cocaine worth more than 1 million pounds that smugglers had hidden in a consignment of face masks in the UK customs zone of the Channel Tunnel. The cocaine, wrapped in 15 packages, was found in boxes full…

Covid-19: Brazil’s Pres Bolsonaro fires health minister after dispute over coronavirus

Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro BRASILIA, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro fired his health minister on Thursday after a series of disagreements over government efforts to contain the new coronavirus. “I just heard from the President Jair Bolsonaro the news of my dismissal from the health ministry,” Luiz…

Covid-19: US police find 17 bodies at New Jersey nursing home after anonymous tip

Paramedics load a patient into an ambulance TRENTON (New Jersey, US), April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New Jersey police found 17 bodies in one of the state’s largest nursing homes after an anonymous tip said a body was being stored in a shed. A total of 68 people associated with the…

Covid-19: Africa may see millions of cases, tentative WHO forecast shows

BRAZZAVILLE, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Coronavirus cases in Africa could shoot up from thousands now to 10 million within three to six months according to very provisional modelling, a regional World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Thursday. But Michel Yao, head of emergency operations for WHO Africa, said that…

Covid-19: Minister to be charged for buying alcohol during lockdown

MASERU, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in Lesotho say they will charge a minister caught on CCTV allegedly buying alcoholic drinks during a nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. Lesotho – like its bigger neighbour South Africa – has banned the sale of alcohol during the lockdown.…

More than two dozen killed in DR Congo armed attack

KINSHASA, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than two dozen people were killed in two separate attacks in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a region in the grip of militia violence, officials said. “CODECO assailants attacked the people of the village of Koli while they were asleep, killing 22 civilians,”…

Covid-19: Libya to impose 10-day curfew to combat coronavirus

TRIPOLI, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has declared a 10-day curfew starting Friday to fight the novel coronavirus.At a press conference, the Supreme Committee for Combating COVID-19 said all vegetable and meat markets will be closed, but bakeries and some shops will remain open to meet…

Covid-19: Tanzanian govt cancels its national holiday celebration as coronavirus rate rises

DAR ES SALAAM, April 17 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Tanzania has canceled this year’s April 26 national holiday celebration commemorating the 1964 merger of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to become Tanzania as the country’s coronavirus tally rises.Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said the Union Day observance was called off because of the pandemic.Majaliwa said…

Covid-19: No Spanish child to fail the year because of virus – education minister

MADRID, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — No Spanish youngster will fail the school year over the coronavirus crisis, and only in “very exceptional” circumstances will anyone have to repeat the year, the education minister said. All educational establishments in Spain have been shuttered since mid-March when the government imposed a national…