Covid-19: US economy shrinks at fastest rate since 2008

WASHINGTON, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US economy suffered its most severe contraction in more than a decade in the first quarter of the year, as the country introduced lockdowns to slow the spread of coronavirus. The world’s largest economy sank at an annual rate of 4.8%, according to official…

Covid-19: Uganda bans lorry drivers from sleeping at hotels

Lorries have been queuing on the Kenya-Uganda border so drivers can be tested for COVID-19 KAMPALA, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — All lorry drivers crossing over the border into Uganda will not be allowed to carry passengers in their vehicles or to sleep in hotels or other people’s homes as part…

Covid-19: Launch of Africa free trade deal postponed due to pandemic

ADDIS ABABA, April 30 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The implementation of a mammoth African free trade agreement will not begin on July 1 as planned due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak, a senior official said. “It is obviously not possible to commence trade as we had intended on 1 July…

Cuban doctors deployment in South Africa received mixed reactions

More than 200 Cuban medics are to be deployed around the country PRETORIA, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The arrival of more than 200 Cuban medics in South Africa to help battle coronavirus has received mixed reactions, with some of the sharpest criticism coming from the South African Medical Association (Sama).…

Rwanda’s internal security minister sacked; fifth member of cabinet to be fired in 2020

Gen Patrick Nyamvumba KIGALI, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, appointed Minister of Internal Security in November last year, has been sacked, becoming one of the shortest-serving ministers in Rwanda.He becomes the fifth minister sacked this year, following President Paul Kagame’s pledge to fire more officials for “lying, carelessness…

Covid-19: Riot rocks coronavirus-hit prison in Sierra Leone

FREETOWN, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A riot has broken out at the central prison in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, with smoke billowing from the facility after the confirmation of a coronavirus case there. Inmates at Pademba Road Prison had earlier on Wednesday set some buildings on fire in a protest that…

Covid-19: UN Security Council looks to 3-month ‘humanitarian pause’ in global conflicts

UNITED NATIONS, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council plans to call for a 90-day “humanitarian pause” in conflicts worldwide as part of the ongoing struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic. An initial draft resolution version last week — co-authored by France and Tunisia — only asked for a 30-day…

Covid-19: Torment in Ecuador – deads piled up in bathrooms

QUITO, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Front line medics in one of Latin America’s coronavirus epicenters are lifting the lid on the daily horrors they face in an Ecuadoran city Guayaquil, whose health system has collapsed. In one hospital overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients, staff have had to pile up bodies in…

Covid-19: Brazil deaths passes 5,000 – official

BRASILIA, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil, the South American country worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, has registered more than 5,000 deaths from COVID-19, the health ministry announced. A record 474 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, with the number of infections rising to 71,886, the ministry said. The…

Days after recovering from coronavirus, British PM Boris Johnson becomes a father again

File photo of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and partner Carrie Symonds at an event earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Yui Mok/PA Wire/dpa LONDON, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday became a father again when his partner Carrie Symonds gave birth to a healthy…