Covid-19: US offers US$58 billion aid to airlines as governments seek to avert bankruptcies

Governments stepped up efforts to help airlines hammered by a virus-induced travel slump WASHINGTON, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Governments stepped up efforts on Thursday to help airlines hammered by a virus-induced travel slump, with the United States offering $58 billion in aid, Singapore promising to keep its carrier aloft, and…

Covid-19: Turkey’s death toll climbs to 75

ANKARA, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Turkey confirmed 16 more deaths from the novel coronavirus late on Thursday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 75. A total of 7,286 coronavirus tests have been conducted on Thursday on people suspected of contracting the virus, and 1,196 tested positive, bringing the tally…

Covid-19: Italy’s dead overwhelm morgues as virus toll tops 8,000

ROME, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An overwhelmed Italian city at the heart of the coronavirus pandemic sent more of its dead to nearby towns for cremation as the country’s world-leading toll topped 8,000. Officials in Rome reported 662 new deaths and 6,153 infections — largely in line with the figures…

Covid-19: US surpasses China with most coronavirus cases worldwide

US now has over 80,000 positive covid-19 patients WASHINGTON, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US now has more confirmed cases of coronavirus than any other country with at least 82,404 positive tests. According to the latest figures collated by Johns Hopkins University, the US overtook China (81,782 cases) and Italy…

Mozambique: Militants attack second town in gas-rich region

The militants attacked the town of Quissanga at dawn on Wednesday MAPUTO, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Insurgents have attacked a second town in the gas-rich northern province in Mozambique where foreign companies are working on a $60bn natural gas project. The militants attacked the town of Quissanga at dawn on…

Covid-19: Germany not paying for masks ‘stolen in Kenya’

NAIROBI, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The German authorities have said they do not have to pay for the six million face masks the government ordered but that went missing from an airport in Kenya. The shipment was due in Germany on March 20 but never arrived after disappearing at the…

Covid-19: South Africa lockdown starts as tally nears 1,000

South Africa’s president appears in full military uniform PRETORIA, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s president appeared in full military uniform for the first time since the end of apartheid and told troops to be a “force of kindness” as a three-week lockdown begins at midnight and they ensure that…

Covid-19: Kenya records first death

 Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe NAIROBI, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya has registered its first death from the coronavirus (Covid-19), the health ministry announced.In a statement, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said that the victim was a 66-year-old Kenyan man and had a long-term health condition.“We have received the sad…

Covid-19: WHO donates PPEs to Ghana’s Health Ministry

ACCRA, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organisation (WHO), on Thursday, presented about 21,080 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to Ghana’s Ministry of Health (MOH), to complement Government’s efforts to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The items were made up of 10,000 hand gloves, 9,000 medical masks,…

Covid-19: Ghana sends SOS cash requests to IMF

Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister WASHINGTON/ACCRA, March 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that the Ghana government, has sent a special request for money to help the country address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.A statement issued by the IMF’s Communications Department said “Last week, the…