Covid-19: UK ramps up measures as more cases reported

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson  LONDON, March 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a series of measures that aim to restrict social contact in the United Kingdom, so as to curb the spread of COVID-19. Johnson made the Monday announcement during a TV address to the nation.…

Covid-19: Panic buying triggers price hikes for essentials in Zimbabwe as virus claims first life

HARARE, March 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — With demand far outstripping supply, prices for essential products needed to contain the spread of COVID-19 are on the rise as the virus takes its first life in Zimbabwe. In most supermarkets at the capital Harare, face masks and sanitizers were in acute short supply,…

Covid-19: Germany loses six million face masks in Kenya

BERLIN, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German customs officials are attempting to track down about 6 million face masks ordered to protect health workers from the coronavirus which went missing at an airport in Kenya. “The authorities are trying to find out what happened,” said a defence ministry spokeswoman, confirming a…

Covid-19: South Africa’s cases surge to 554 amid imminent national lockdown

SOUTH AFRICAN PRES CYRIL RAMAPHOSA CAPE TOWN, March 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — South Africa’s coronavirus cases surged to 554 on Tuesday amid an imminent national lockdown, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said. This was an increase of 152 from Monday’s announcement, the highest rise in a single day since the country reported…

Guinea’s opposition says 10 killed in protests

The opposition alleges the referendum is a ploy by President Alpha Conde to remain in power  CONAKRY, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Opposition activists in Guinea say at least 10 people have been killed in street clashes during Sunday’s controversial referendum on a new constitution. Critics said the vote was a…

Covid-19: Manu Dibango – African saxophone legend dies of virus

PARIS, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The African saxophone legend Manu Dibango has died in Paris after catching coronavirus. Dibango – best known for his 1972 hit Soul Makossa – is one of the first global stars to die from Covid-19. The 86-year-old fused jazz and funk music with traditional sounds from his home…

Mozambique: Government soldiers battling jihadists to reclaim lost key town in Cabo Delgado

Troops have been battling to defeat the militants in Mozambique  MAPUTO, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Islamist insurgents have seized control of a key town in northern Mozambique, close to where foreign companies are working on a $60bn (£52bn) natural gas project. The militants staged an overnight attack on Mocimboa de…

Update: Spain’s Covid-19 death toll jumps 514 in 24 hours

 MADRID, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The coronavirus death toll in Spain has jumped by 514 in a single day, as the situation in the country quickly worsens. Official figures show that 2,696 people have now died in the country and close to 40,000 are infected. About 5,400 health care workers are among…

Covid-19: Cuba to quarantine tourists, close borders for month

HAVANA, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cuba quarantined foreign tourists from Tuesday when it seals its borders to guard against the spread of the new coronavirus, the prime minister said, in a move cutting one of the communist country’s few revenue sources. “All tourists still in hotels will be placed in…

Covid-19: First known US child virus death was teen ‘in good health’

LOS ANGELES, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The first known death of a child due to the novel coronavirus in the United States was a teenager in previously good health, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. The death of the youth from Lancaster, just north of Los Angeles, was reported hours…