Covid-19: US evacuates nationals caught up in Nigeria lockdown

ABUJA, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US is evacuating its nationals from Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos and the capital, Abuja, after the two cities were were placed on a two-week lockdown in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The US embassy has tweeted that multiple emergency flights will…

Covid-19: Kenya wants 50 MPs tested

NAIROBI, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s lower parliamentary chamber wants some 50 lawmakers to be tested for coronavirus amid fears they may have contracted the virus from a member who recently tested positive.Local media reports say the parliament has submitted the names of MPs and parliamentary staff it wants tested…

Covid-19: EU announces help for Balkans after criticism

BRUSSELS, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU announced nearly 40 million euros to help Western Balkan countries deal with the coronavirus, after Brussels came under fire for not doing enough for its neighbours. A further 140 million euros was announced for the European Union’s “eastern partner” countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,…

Covid-19: More countries reject Chinese-made equipment

The Netherlands has been among the countries reporting faulty Chinese-made equipment PARIS, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A number of European governments have rejected Chinese-made equipment designed to combat the coronavirus outbreak. Thousands of testing kits and medical masks are below standard or defective, according to authorities in Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands. Europe…

Covid-19: Panama to restrict movement by gender during virus quarantine

PANAMA CITY, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The government of Panama announced strict quarantine measures that separate citizens by gender in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. From Wednesday, men and women will only be able to leave their homes for two hours at a time, and…

Covid-19: Congo ex-president Yombi Opango dies in France

BRAZZAVILLE, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former Republic of Congo president Jacques Joaquim Yhombi Opango died in France on Monday of the new coronavirus, his family said. He was 81. Yhombi Opango, who led Congo-Brazzaville from 1977 until he was toppled in 1979, died at a Paris hospital of COVID-19, his…

Update: Global lockdown tightens as Covid-19 deaths mount

PARIS, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Harsh lockdowns aimed at halting themarch of the coronavirus pandemic extended worldwide Monday as the death toll soared past 37,600 amid new waves of US outbreaks. Despite slivers of hope in stricken Italy and Spain, the tough measuresthat have confined some two-fifths of the globe’s…

Covid-19: Major airlines urge US Treasury to disburse assistance quickly with American Airlines seeking $12bn bailout

NEW YORK, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Major US airlines asked the US Treasury to move quickly to release up to $58 billion in government grants and loans and recommended a formula to divide up the money.In a letter, carriers wrote that “given the urgent and immediate need, it is essential…

Covid-19: Prince Charles is out of self-isolation and ‘in good health’ after positive test

British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles LONDON, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, who had tested positive for coronavirus, is out of self-isolation after seven days and is in good health, his spokesman said. Last week, his Clarence House office revealed that Charles, 71, had been tested after displaying mild…

Covid-19: Belarus president says vodka and saunas can cure coronavirus as country refuses to lockdown

President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko MINSK, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Belarus’ President has claimed vodka and saunas can cure deadly coronavirus as he ignores global health advice amid the pandemic. President Alexander Lukashenko has shrugged off concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak and refused to order his citizens into lockdown. In…