Hundreds flee militants in northern Mozambique

MAPUTO, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of people are arriving in the Mozamican city of Pemba, mostly by boat, from areas attacked by militants last week, reports the independent TV station STV. Residents’ houses were destroyed in attacks in Mocimboa da Praia and Quissinga town last week. Local leaders are…

Covid-19: Ugandan authorities charged pastor for denying coronavirus exists in Africa

 Fruit vendors are chased off the streets of Kampala KAMPALA, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ugandan authorities have charged a controversial pastor who is accused of telling his congregation that there is no coronavirus in Africa. Prosecutors accuse Augustine Yiga of making the comments to the Revival Christian Church congregation on…

Covid-19: Facebook offers $100 mn to help virus-hit news media

WASHINGTON, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Facebook said it was donating $100 million to support news organizations globally hurting from the coronavirus pandemic, citing the need for reliable information about the crisis. “The news industry is working under extraordinary conditions to keep people informed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Facebook’s news…

Covid-19: Europe’s death toll tops 25,000

Paramedic carries out a patient on a stretcher from an ambulance at the Henri Mondor Hospital in Creteil, near Paris PARIS, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 25,000 people in Europe, according to official sources. With a total of 25,037 deaths out of 399,381 officially…

Covid-19: Tunisia gets 250 mln euros from EU to tackle coronavirus impact

Tunisian riot police officers carry out disinfection works at streets within precautions against coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tunis TUNIS, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union has granted Tunisia 250 million euros in aid to help it cope with the economic and social effects of the coronavirus outbreak, EU ambassador Patrice…

Zimbabwe orders total lockdown from Monday to combat coronavirus

HARARE, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe will impose a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Monday to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, and security forces may be deployed to enforce it, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said. The decision is seen hurting an economy already struggling with a drought, shortages…

Guinea referendum backs constitutional changes that may extend president’s rule

Conde has not denied that he might use the proposed constitutional changes to seek another term CONAKRY, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guinea has voted overwhelmingly for a change in the constitution, according to provisional results of a referendum, an outcome which the opposition fears will allow President Alpha Conde to…

Covid-19: Angola announces first two deaths

LUANDA, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Angola has recorded its first two deaths from coronavirus, out of the seven confirmed cases in the southwestern African country, health minister said.“We now have seven confirmed cases and unfortunately two people lost their lives between last night and this morning,” Health Minister Silvia Lutucuta…

Three soldiers killed in Burkina Faso bomb attack

Rebels have in the past used bombs to target patrol vehicles OUAGADOUGOU, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A homemade bomb killed three soldiers in north-west Burkina Faso on Sunday. The attack happened after a patrol vehicle drove over a mine in Gomboro in the Sourou province, according to Le Faso news website.…

Polls close in Mali amid coronavirus threat, security fears

Voters stand in queue at a polling station in Gao, Mali BAMAKO, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Polls have closed in Mali’s long-delayed parliamentary elections which were held despite concerns about security and the coronavirus pandemic. Sunday’s vote came hours after the violence-hit West African country announced its first coronavirus death…