Brexit talks can still be done within agreed timescale, UK minister says

British Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove LONDON, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Talks to strike a deal on a post-Brexit relationship between Britain and the European Union can still be concluded within the agreed timescale, British Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said. Last week, EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said discussions…

Covid-19: Russia overtakes China with cases at 87,000

MOSCOW, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia overtook China in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases when its tally climbed above 87,000. Russia, the world’s largest country by territory, has been on lockdown since President Vladimir Putin announced the closure of most public spaces on March 25. These measures are due…

Covid-19: 44 oilmen test positive in Equatorial Guinea and Congo Republic

MALABO/BRAZZAVILLE, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thirty workers at an offshore oil platform in Equatorial Guinea, operated by ExxonMobil, and another 14 at oil giant Total in Congo Republic have tested positive for the new coronavirus. It highlights the risk coronavirus poses to offshore oil installations, where people typically work, sleep…

Campaigning starts in Burundi ahead of May 20 polls

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza BUJUMBURA, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The campaign for the May 20 presidential, legislative and municipal elections in Burundi began on Monday amid the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign will last until May 17, according to a presidential decree. It begins at 6 am and ends at 6 pm…

Covid-18: Liberia’s justice minister tests positive

MONROVIA, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The health authorities in Liberia have announced that Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean has tested positive for Covid-19 and was receiving treatment at a hospital outside the capital, Monrovia.Late Sunday night, he had been informed by Dr Musoko Fallah, head of the National Public Health…

Covid-19: South Africa police apologise for remarks in mosque raid

Muslims have been urged to pray at home during Ramadan PRETORIA, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s police spokesperson has apologised for remarks made by an officer during the arrest of Muslims who had congregated in a mosque against orders banning gatherings. The incident, on Saturday in the Mpumalanga province…

South Africa Airways liquidation postponed

PRETORIA, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The “immediate threat” of the liquidation of South African Airways (SAA) has been averted, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) announced. Employees of SAA have also been granted an extension of the deadline by which they have to sign a section 189 termination of employment…

Covid-19: French police seize 140,000 black market face masks

PARIS, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French police have seized 140,000 face masks intended for the black market in a record haul since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. It is the largest seizure since the French government banned the resale of protective masks to prioritise their distribution to health workers…

Covid-19: ‘World should have listened to WHO’ – director

GENEVA, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization chief said that the agency had sounded the highest level of alarm over the novel coronavirus early on, but lamented that not all countries had heeded its advice. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that the WHO warned the COVID-19 outbreak constituted…

Covid-19: Latest global developments

PARIS, April 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– Here are the latest developments in thecoronavirus crisis: Death toll: A total of 206,567 people have died worldwide since the epidemic surfaced among the more than 2.9 million cases reported in 193 countries or territories. The United States has the most deaths of any country…