Togo: Pres Gnassingbé sworn in for fourth term

President Gnassingbé has been in power since 2005 LOME, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé has been sworn for a fourth term at a subdued ceremony in the capital, Lome. About 200 guests – government officials and diplomats – attended the ceremony. They all wore face masks and…

Nigeria: 50 passengers found hidden inside trailer loaded with fruits

Fifty passengers were hidden inside the lorry ABUJA, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fifty persons from Zamfara state hidden inside Lorry loads of fruits were intercepted in Ilorin by officers of Kwara state police command. They were intercepted at the Oyun area in the state capital after the trailer developed mechanical…

Covid-19: Ireland pledges €18 million to vaccine alliance Gavi

A researcher works on the development of a vaccine against Covid-19 BRUSSELS, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ireland has pledged €18 million to Gavi, the vaccine alliance, as part of an international effort that raised €7.3 billion to fund the search for a vaccine against Covid-19. The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made the announcement…

UK pledges £1.6bn to fund global vaccine alliance

GENEVA, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK government has pledged £330 million a year over the next five years to the global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) to help fund immunisation of 75 million children in the world’s poorest countries. The funding makes the UK the largest supporter of GAVI, which vaccinates…

Covid-19: African nations see some easing of lockdowns

Nigeria is one of the nations starting to ease restrictions ABUJA, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A number of countries in Africa are beginning to ease lockdown restrictions. In Nigeria, businesses have reopened to try to restart the continent’s largest economy. Rwanda has loosened restrictions after 45 days of lockdown, even…

Covid-19: Kenyan nurses threaten to go on strike over risk allowance demand

NAIROBI, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenyan nurses have threatened to strike over a coronavirus risk allowance. Union leaders gave a two-week warning to the government that health workers could take industrial action if their demands for those on the frontline are not met. Some of the issues that union officials…

Sudan sets up bourse for gold as the country opens up market

KHARTOUM, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan, Africa’s third biggest gold producer, is setting up a bourse for the precious metal and will standardize the price in accordance with the global rate, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said. In January, Sudan started allowing private traders to export gold, a measure designed…

Covid-19: Canada invests in online mental health care amid coronavirus crisis

OTTAWA, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada will invest CAN$240 million to develop virtual care and mental health tools for residents to better cope with the consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. The funds will be used mainly to create new digital platforms and applications to…

Covid-19: Portugal emerges from lockdown

LISBON, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Portugal eases its coronavirus lockdown on Monday, with small shops, hair salons and car dealers resuming operations as a state of emergency was lifted after more than six weeks. The wearing of face masks or visors in stores and on public transport is compulsory under…

Covid-19: UK PM Boris Johnson readies plan to ease lockdown with new office guidance

LONDON, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out his plan to ease a nationwide coronavirus lockdown next Sunday, media reports said, as new guidance emerged on how to maintain social distancing in workplaces. Stay-at-home orders imposed in late March are up for review on Thursday…