Soldiers kill 50 Boko Haram militants in Niger

NIAMEY, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The defence ministry of Niger says at least 50 Boko Haram militants have been killed in a clash with troops. Officials said the militants had launched an attack, using 20 vehicles, on an army outpost at the south-eastern village of Toummour on Sunday night, but…

Anti-government protests thwarted as Algeria bans street marches over coronavirus

ALGIERS, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Algeria has banned street protests over the coronavirus, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Tuesday, bringing to an end a year of unprecedented mass demonstrations that brought down the veteran president and convulsed the state.“The lives of citizens are above all considerations even if this requires…

Covid-19: Colombia orders senior citizens to self-isolate from March 20

People walk on the street, wearing protective masks as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota BOGOTA, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Colombia’s President Ivan Duque declared a state of emergency as the country steps up measures to stop the spread of coronavirus, including ordering…

Brazil recaptures inmates who escaped in COVID-19 row

Authorities in Brazil planned to end day-pass programmes, sparking riots and mass escapes SAO PAULO, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian authorities said they had recaptured 444 inmates who escaped from their minimum-security prisons after their right to leave on temporary furloughs was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. But an…

Covid-19: Swiss hospitals face collapse in 10 days if virus keeps spreading – govt official

Patients arrive at a medical screening tent for coronavirus testing outside the University Hospital of Geneva ZURICH, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Switzerland’s health care system could collapse by the end of the month if the new coronavirus keeps spreading at current rates, a government official warned. Swiss authorities estimated that…

Covid-19: Quarantine threatens to deepen Venezuelan coronavirus crisis

People queue in front of a supermarket during the first day of a national quarantine CARACAS, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Roadblocks across Venezuela snarled the transportation of goods and businesses in the capital Caracas reported that food deliveries failed to arrive, in signs that a national coronavirus quarantine could worsen…

Covid-19: US plans to turn back all asylum seekers at Mexican border

WASHINGTON, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States plans to turn back all asylum seekers and most other foreigners attempting to enter the United States from Mexico illegally, arguing the step is necessary to combat the fast-spreading coronavirus, according to U.S. media reports. The new rule, which is expected to…

Covid-19: Italy rushes new doctors into service as deaths rise above 2,500

Rome’s Town Hall is lit up with the colours of the Italian flag to show solidarity with the country as it continues to battle coronavirus ROME, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy will rush 10,000 student doctors into service, scrapping their final exams, in an effort to help the struggling health…

LatAm hunkers down amid rising caseload of COVID-19

A passenger arrives at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires MEXICO CITY, March 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases topped 100 in both Peru and Ecuador on Tuesday, and Ecuador’s government has begun implementing some of the harshest measures in Latin America. A total of 31 more…

Covid-19: Irish PM calls on public to be prepared for prolonged impact of coronavirus outbreak

Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar  DUBLIN, March 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar called on the public to be fully prepared for a prolonged impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the country and promised that his government will do whatever it requires to do in the battle against the…