Covid-19: Egypt’s infections rise to 4,534 with 317 deaths – ministry

A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks on a street in Cairo CAIRO, April 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — Egypt confirmed 215 new cases and 10 deaths of COVID-19, raising the total number of cases registered in the country to 4,534, including 317 deaths, said the Egyptian Health Ministry. Meanwhile, 62 COVID-19…

Covid-19: Spain records lowest daily death toll as lockdown eases

Spanish children under the age of 14 allowed outside one hour per day  MADRID, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Spain, which has been one of the countries worst hit in the coronavirus pandemic, has reported its lowest daily death toll in more than a month. Its health ministry said that 288 more people…

Covid-19: More US states begin lifting lockdown orders

WASHINGTON, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) —More US states are beginning to lift lockdown orders even as US leaders say social distancing guidelines will be necessary throughout the summer. But governors warn that life will not quickly return to normal, and that restrictions will remain in some places to keep the virus from resurging.…

North Korea’s Kim ‘alive and well’: South Korea security adviser

SEOUL, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is “alive and well”, said a top security adviser to the South’s President Moon Jae-in, downplaying rumours over Kim’s health following his absence from a key anniversary. “Our government position is firm,” said Moon’s special adviser on national security…

Covid-19: New Zealand has won battle against virus transmission, says PM

WELLINGTON, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday claimed New Zealand had scored a significant victory against the spread of the coronavirus, as the country began a phased exit from lockdown. “There is no widespread, undetected community transmission in New Zealand,” Ardern declared. “We have won that…

Update: Covid-19 cases top 2.9 million with 204,696 deaths

PARIS, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The new coronavirus has claimed at least 204,696 lives since its outbreak in China in December, according to a tally from official sources as at 1900 GMT on Sunday. More than 2,929,630 cases were registered in 193 countries and territories. Of these cases, at least…

Covid-19: PM Johnson back to work as UK virus problems mount

LONDON, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work on Monday more than three weeks after being hospitalised for the coronavirus and spending three days in intensive care. Johnson, one of the highest-profile people to have contracted the virus, returned to 10 Downing Street on Sunday…

Covid-19: Pres Trump backs US health secretary, lashes media

WASHINGTON, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump dismissed reports he was considering sacking health secretary Alex Azar as criticism mounts over the US response to the coronavirus pandemic. Trump, who risks losing public support ahead of the November election due to the climbing death toll, lashed out over stories…

Saudi Arabia eliminates death penalty for minors

RIYADH, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Saudi Arabia ended the death penalty for crimes committed by minors after effectively abolishing floggings as the kingdom seeks to blunt criticism over its human rights record. The reforms underscore a push by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to modernise the kingdom long associated with…

Covid-19 in the US: Latest case counts

WASHINGTON, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The U.S. has now confirmed 939,249 cases of COVID-19 and at least 53,934 related deaths. At least 22,009 of those COVID-19 deaths occurred in New York, 5,938 in New Jersey, 3,274 in Michigan, 2,730 in Massachusetts, 1,875 in Illinois and 1,698 related deaths reported in California. The United States…