Covid-19: South African rivals unite to fight coronavirus

PRETORIA, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has met leaders of the country’s main political parties and has appealed for solidarity in the fight against coronavirus.At a news conference, opposition politicians confirmed they were backing the government’s efforts.But the interim leader of the Democratic Alliance, John Steenhuisen,…

Covid-19: Gambia suspends parliament after first case of coronavirus reported

BANJUL, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gambia’s National Assembly said that it is suspending sessions until further notice, a day after news of the country’s first case of the novel coronavirus was disclosed. Health Minister Ahmadou Lamin Samateh announced that officials had confirmed the virus in a 20-year-old woman who arrived…

Covid-19-free Niger announces coronavirus preventive measures

NIAMEY, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Niger’s president Mahamadou Issoufou has announced the closure of the country’s land borders, Niamey airport and its educational institutions to prevent the entry into the territory of coronavirus. There are currently no confirmed cases of the virus in the landlocked African country. The measures follow…

Malawi’s president sacks army commander

 President of Malawi Peter Mutharika LILONGWE, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika has fired Army Commander Vincent Nundwe for allowing his men to protect demonstrators protesting the results of last year’s elections. Nundwe has been replaced with Major General Andrew Lapken Namathanga, according to local media reports. Protests…

Malawi compensates Mozambique for stolen charcoal by its soldiers

MAPUTO, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mozambique has urged Malawi to respect its borders so that the two nations can “healthily co-exist” after a border incursion involving looting soldiers. The comments come after last week’s raid of Calómuè, a border village in Mozambique’s district of Angónia, by Malawian soldiers who violently…

Covid-19: US-Canada border to close amid virus crisis

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the US-Canada border to all non-essential travel in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus. “We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our northern border with Canada,” Trump tweeted. He said…

Covid-19: UK deaths jump to 104 – health authorities

LONDON, March 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – A total of 104 people have now died from COVID-19 in Britain, the health authorities said on Wednesday, increasing nearly a third from previous figures. A further 32 people in England have died after testing positive for the virus, state-run National Health Service England said, while…

Covid-19: South Africa bans cruise ships over coronavirus

CAPE TOWN, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa on Wednesday imposed a blanket ban on cruise ships entering its ports, the country’s latest step to curb the spread of coronavirus, a minister said. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula spoke as more than 1,700 people were stranded on a ship, docked in…

Covid-19: Italy reports 475 new virus deaths, highest one-day toll of any nation

ROME, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy reported 475 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, the highest one-day official toll of any nation since the first case was detected in China late last year. Total deaths in Italy have reached 2,978, more than half of all the cases recorded outside China,…

Covid-19: IMF rejects crisis-hit Venezuela’s request for $5 bn virus aid over Pres Maduro legality

WASHINGTON, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday rejected economically devastated Venezuela’s request for a $5 billion loan to help it cope with the onslaught of coronavirus on the country. President Nicolas Maduro made the request earlier Tuesday but, in a statement hours later, the Washington-based institution…