Covid-19: Nearly 9,000 Britons fined over lockdown breaches

LONDON, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 9,000 people have received fines for flouting lockdown restrictions in England and Wales, new figures show. Police have had powers to issue fixed penalty notices (rather than on-the-spot fines) for alleged breaches since March 26. Figures released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)…

Covid-19: France offers subsidy to tempt people to cycle after lockdown end

French President, Emmanuel Macron PARIS, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France is encouraging people to cycle to keep pollution levels low once lockdown restrictions end. Under the €20 million scheme, everyone will be eligible for bike repairs of up to €50 at registered mechanics. The funding will also help pay for…

Covid-19: Russian PM Mishustin tests positive for virus

File photo of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during a government meeting in Moscow in January. His announcement of being tested positive for the Covid-19 virus was made during a televised video-call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. File photo courtesy of Dmitry ASTAKHOV / SPUTNIK / AFP) The diagnosis was…

Covid-19: Experts reveal African trial details

Experts said there are comparatively fewer trials happening in Africa ABUJA, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has outlined some of the trials going on for Covid-19 treatment and vaccination in Africa. Fifty-two countries have currently reported having positive cases of the virus, with more…

Mozambique forces ‘push back militant attack’ as lockdown extended by a month

MAPUTO, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Mozambican defence and security forces have pushed back an attack by militants against the village of Nacoba, in Metuge district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, reports Carta de Moçambique. The newspaper says that the raiders burnt down a tourist camp used by…

Covid-19: Guinea Bissau PM and three ministers tests positive for coronavirus

Nuno Gomes Nabiam BISSAU, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guinea Bissau’s Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam has tested positive for coronavirus, the health ministry has said. Interior Minister Botche Cande and two other ministers also have Covid-19. Nabiam said that several members of an interministerial coronavirus committee had the disease. Guinea…

Sudan makes female genital cutting a crime in ‘new era’ for women’s rights

KHARTOUM, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan has criminalised female genital mutilation (FGM), making it punishable by three years in jail, a move campaigners said ushered in a “new era” for women’s rights in the African nation. Almost nine out of 10 women and girls in predominately Muslim Sudan have undergone…

Covid-19: First four positive cases confirmed in DR Congo prison; many inmates quarantined

KINSHASA, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed its first cases of COVID-19 in a prison. At least four inmates have tested positive and many more are quarantined in Ndolo prison in the capital city, Kinshasa. The overcrowded prison is hosting inmates at nearly four times…

Covid-19: ADB approves $100m for Bangladesh to meet urgent public health needs

DHAKA, May 1 (NNN-BSS) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $100 million loan to support Bangladesh in its efforts to address the immediate public health requirements of combating the novel coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic. “ADB stands with Bangladesh in this difficult time when the COVID-19pandemic challenges the country’s recent successes…

Covid-19: India’s death toll rises to 1,074; cases 33,050

NEW DELHI, May 1 (NNN-PTI) — The death toll due to the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 1,074 after 66 more fatalities and the number of cases climbed to 33,050 in India, according to the Union Health Ministry. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 23,651, while 8,324 people…