Covid-19: Italy reports biggest daily jump in death toll

Churches have been fumigated in Naples  ROME, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The death toll from the new coronavirus in Italy has risen to 197 after the largest daily increase in fatalities there since the outbreak began. Officials said 49 people had died in 24 hours, while more than 4,600 cases have been…

Peru confirms first coronavirus case

LIMA, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Martin Vizcarra said Peru has detected its first case of the new coronavirus in a 25-year-old man who had traveled to Europe.The president called for calm and said Peru had taken “all the medical measures” to treat the patient, who had been in Spain,…

EU Brexit chief warns of ‘serious divergences’ with UK after first round of talks

BRUSSELS, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned that major differences remain between Britain and Europe after a first round of trade talks ended in Brussels.Barnier was speaking to reporters after four days of talks that launched months of intense closed-door negotiations involving more than…

Tunisia: Suicide bombers near US Embassy kill, injure police

Police and forensic experts inspect the scene of an explosion TUNIS, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two suicide bombers blew themselves up near the US Embassy in Tunisia on Friday, killing one police officer and wounding four others, the Interior Ministry said. Lawmaker Yosri Dali, head of the armed forces and…

Vatican reports its first coronavirus case

VATICAN CITY, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Vatican reported its first coronavirus case and closed some offices to protect hundreds of the micro-state’s priests and residents as the virus rages across surrounding Italy. The confirmed case prompted a sympathetic message from the Pope and all but emptied Saint Peter’s Square.…

Haiti’s new PM calls for help in tackling ‘precarious socio-economic situation’

Haiti’s new Prime Minister, Joseph Jouthe (centre) PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe said during his first public appearance since his appointment by presidential decree that he would focus on fighting insecurity and inequality while boosting the economy. Jouthe, a trained civil engineer, who was appointed…

US and Gabon unite against pirates

Pirates target oil tankers from Nigeria’s oil fields WASHINGTON, March 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US and Gabon have agreed to head up an international group which fights against piracy in the sea off the west coast of Africa. The US released a statement saying the two countries have assumed the…

US places $7 million bounty on Boko Haram leader

Abubakar Shekau is the leader of Nigeria’s extremist group Boko Haram ABUJA, March 6 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The US government has reiterated its reward of $7million (N2.5bn) for anyone with credible information that can lead to the arrest of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau. This came as Boko Haram insurgents in…

Eight footballers die in serious road accident in Guinea, 17 others injured

The country is in a state of mourning hearing the news CONAKRY, March 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guinean football is in mourning following a terrible road accident involving second-tier team Club Sportif Etoile de Guinee.The accident claimed the lives of eight players with 17 others seriously injured.Etoile were leaving for the…

Kenya, Somalia leaders agree to ease recent tensions

The border dispute case is set to be heard at the International Court of Justice in June. MOGADISHU, March 6 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The presidents of Somalia and Kenya have in a phone conversation agree to ease recent tensions following a heightened diplomatic row, that informed Kenya warning Somalia against threatening…