Covid-19: Europe now ‘epicentre’ of pandemic, says WHO

GENEVA, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization said that Europe was now the “epicentre” for the global coronavirus pandemic, and warned it was impossible to know when the outbreak would peak. “Europe has now become the epicentre of the pandemic,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a…

Latin America steps up measures against coronavirus spread

MONTEVIDEO, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Latin American countries stepped up measures to slow the advance of COVID-19, announcing a slew of restrictions on travellers from the worst-affected countries and shutting down major sports events. Argentina, Colombia and Peru announced that travellers from China, Italy, Spain and France would be isolated…

Captain on trial in Hungary over South Korean tour boat disaster

BUDAPEST, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Ukrainian cruise captain went on trial in Hungary over a collision on the river Danube last year that left 27 people dead, mostly South Korean tourists. The Mermaid sightseeing boat carrying a tour group sank within seconds after colliding with the Swiss-registered Viking Sigyn…

Covid-19: US House leaders unveil coronavirus Bill; Capitol tours suspended

 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi WASHINGTON, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Democrats in the US House of Representatives unveiled a broad package of proposals to help Americans affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The legislation would grant workers 14 days of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical…

Iran agrees to hand over downed jet’s black boxes to Ukraine

This handout photograph taken and released on Jan 11 by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, shows the remains of the Ukraine International Airlines plane Boeing 737-800 that crashed outside Tehran on Jan 8 MONTREAL, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Iran pledged at a meeting of UN civil aviation…

Covid-19: Cuba confirms first 3 cases

HAVANA, March 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Cuban Ministry of Public Health confirmed here that three Italian tourists have tested positive for COVID-19, the first confirmed cases reported in the country. In a brief note released on Cuban state television, the ministry said that out of four Italian tourists transferred on…

Covid-19: African Union warns against lack of emergency medical equipment

Headquarters of the AFRICAN UNION in Ethiopia. Photo: Clemente Dos Santos ADDIS ABABA, March 12 (NNN-ANGOP) — The African Union (AU) warned of the need to buy more tests and other emergency medical supplies to respond to the Covid-19 epidemic, at a time when the continent has reported more than…

Update: Italy shuts stores across country to fight virus

ROME, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy shut all stores except for pharmacies and food shops in a desperate bid to halt the spread of a coronavirus that has killed 827 in the the country in just over two weeks. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the latest wave of restrictions in…

Covid-19: Oil prices fall around 6% after US Pres Trump virus address

WASHINGTON, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Oil prices plunged about six percent Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a 30-day ban on all travel from Europe to the United States over the coronavirus pandemic. West Texas Intermediate slipped 6.2 percent to $31 a barrel while Brent crude was off 5.8…

Covid-19: US Pres Trump announces steps to combat coronavirus’ economic fallout

WASHINGTON, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump announced measures meant to shore up the economy reeling from the coronavirus outbreak, while simultaneously downplaying the situation. He also announced a travel ban for Europe for 30 days, that he indicated would include halting trade. While he touted the strong…