Covid-19: The different approaches to lockdowns in Africa

ACCRA, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) —African countries have fewer coronavirus cases than much of the world, but weaker healthcare systems do put the continent at risk. Lockdown measures can help prevent the virus spreading, yet governments have taken very different approaches to imposing restrictions on their populations. Some, like Ghana, are now…

Mideast genocide trial: Daesh suspect in court in Germany

Taha al-J hid his face as he entered the courtroom in Frankfurt  FRANKFURT, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 37-year-old man suspected of being a member of Daesh militant group has gone on trial in Frankfurt accused of genocide and murdering a young Yazidi girl. Taha al-J is accused of enslaving the five year…

Covid-19: Algeria allows more businesses to-reopen

ALGIERS, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Algeria has taken further steps to ease restrictions over the novel coronavirus by allowing several businesses to reopen “to reduce the economic and social impact of the health crisis” caused by the pandemic, the prime minister’s office said. It said shops to be reopened including…

Covid-19: UK PM Boris Johnson confirmed to return to work Monday April 27

People wearing face masks cross Millennium Bridge, in London LONDON, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be back at work on Monday April 27, a Downing Street spokeswoman said, after having recovered from a case of coronavirus that sent him to intensive care for three nights in early April.…

Covid-19: French PM set to present plan to unwind lockdown on Tuesday

PARIS, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will present the government’s plan to unwind the country’s coronavirus lockdown to parliament on Tuesday, followed by a debate and vote, his office said in a statement. The lockdown ordered by President Emmanuel Macron to slow the spread of the virus has…

DR Congo police arrest sect leader after deadly raid

KINSHASA, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The self-styled prophet of aseparatist sect blamed for deadly attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been arrested in a raid on his home in Kinshasa involving hundreds of security forces. “Mission accomplished,” a police tweet said, after troops stormed the homeof former MP…

Brazil’s justice minister resigns over ‘political interference’

BRASÍLIA, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sergio Moro, Brazil’s justice andsecurity minister, resigned after clashing with President JairBolsonaro over the sacking of the federal police chief. Moro, a former anti-corruption judge, hit out at “political interference”with the federal police, saying he could not do his job without “autonomy” for the force.…

Covid-19: US death toll tops 50,000 as some Georgia businesses reopen

ATLANTA, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gyms, hair salons and tattoo parlors reopened in the state of Georgia as the United States surpassed the grim milestone of 50,000 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic. As the southern state lifted restrictions on a list of businesses that also included nail salons and bowling…

Covid-19: Political row hits UK govt as virus death toll nears 20,000

LONDON, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government was embroiled in a political row after it emerged his chief advisor attended meetings of the main scientific group advising ministers on the coronavirus pandemic in Britain. Earlier, Downing Street was forced to deny that Dominic Cummings and another advisor,…

Covid-19: Belgium to gradually reopen schools, businesses from mid-May

BRUSSELS, April 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Schools and businesses in Belgium will gradually reopen from the middle of May, easing a lockdown imposed in mid-March to curb the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes said. Schools from May 18 and businesses will restart from May 11, Wilmes said, adding the spread…