Covid-19: Mauritania confirms first case

NOUAKCHOTT, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mauritania has confirmed its first case of novel coronavirus, the country’s health minister said,adding to the growing number of cases in West Africa. In a televised statement, Health Minister Mohamed Nedhirou Ould Hamed said the case involved a foreigner who tested positive on Friday. “He…

Covid-19: Canadian PM Trudeau in two-week isolation after wife tests positive

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau OTTAWA, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in isolation for two weeks after his wife, Sophie, tested positive for coronavirus. Sophie Gregoire Trudeau recently returned from London and experienced flu-like symptoms, so she was…

Update: Spain declares state of emergency as virus cases pass 4,200

MADRID, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain has declared a state of emergency as coronavirus cases have surged beyond 4,200, with 120 deaths registered. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the administration Saturday will decide on the measures to be taken under the state of emergency, which gives the government more…

Pregnant teen dies after falling from US-Mexico border wall

HOUSTON (Texas, US), March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A pregnant 19-year-old migrant from Guatemala died after trying to climb over a border fence in Texas, authorities said. Doctors were not able to save her child.United States media, quoting a statement from Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that the woman, Miriam…

UN non-essential staff to work from home

UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — All United Nations staff at its headquarters in New York were told to work from home for at least three weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak unless it was essential for them to be present.Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the plan was “to reduce our…

Covid-19: US declares a national emergency

WASHINGTON, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Pres Donald Trump declared a “national emergency” on Friday due to the coronavirus pandemic. He said the action would “open up access to up to $50 billion,” which he described as “a large amount of money for states and territories and localities in our…

Zimbabwe gets back iconic bird statues stolen during colonialism

A carved bird in standstone in the Great Zimbabwe ruins, symbol of an African culture HARARE, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — They figure on Zimbabwe’s national flag, banknotes and official documents: stone statues representing birds taken away by the European colonialists more than a century ago.The eight original sculptures hold great…

Thirteen die in Central African Republic clashes: UN

BANGUI, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) —  At least 13 people have been killed during clashes between rival armed groups in the Central African Republic.A UN official said the fighting began on Wednesday morning after a faction of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central Africa (FPRC) attacked the town of…

Covid-19: AU calls for continent-wide response to contain virus in Africa

ADDIS ABABA, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union (AU) has stressed the crucial importance of fostering a continent-wide collective response in containing the spread of COVID-19 across the African continent. The urgent call was made by the Peace and Security Council of the 55-member pan-African bloc in a statement,…

Covid-19: Norwegian Embassy in Ghana shuts down after staff tested positive

The Norwegian Embassy in Ghana has shut down after a key staff tested positive for Coronavirus. ACCRA, Ma5rch 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Norwegian Embassy in Ghana has shut down after a key staff tested positive for Coronavirus. All staff of the Embassy have been quarantined while contact tracing is being…