Covid-19: Virus deaths top 250,000 as billions raised for vaccine push

WASHINGTON, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Global deaths from the coronavirus pandemic topped a quarter-million on Monday, mostly in the US and Europe even as both regions slowly moved away from lockdown and world leaders raised billions towards a vaccine. Official figures showed that Europe is the hardest-hit continent with around…

Update: Tanzanian coronavirus laboratory boss suspended

A committee has been forced to investigate the conduct of the laboratory DAR ES SALAAM, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Director of Tanzania’s National Health Laboratory and its quality manager have both been suspended pending investigation over coronavirus testing kits credibility. The suspension of the top officials comes a day…

Covid-19: WHO says has no proof from US on ‘speculative’ Wuhan lab claims

GENEVA, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization said that Washington had provided no evidence to support “speculative” claims by the US president that the new coronavirus originated in a Chinese lab. “We have not received any data or specific evidence from the United States government relating to the…

Covid-19: US aviation sector cuts more jobs amid travel meltdown

U.S. airlines are slashing hundreds of thousands of flights, cutting schedules by 80% WASHINGTON, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The ongoing US travel crisis is causing thousands of job cuts as the aviation sector waits for passengers to return to the skies but braces for years of lower demand because of…

Covid-19: US processes over $500 billion in small business loans to stem virus fallout

US made over $500 billion in loans to small businesses hit hard by the pandemic WASHINGTON, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States has made over $500 billion in loans to small businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and about $145 billion remains in the congressionally approved fund, the…

Covid-19: Tanzania orders probe into imported test kits after goat, fruit test positive

Tanzania President Magufuli DAR ES SALAAM, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzanian president, John Magufuli, has ordered a probe on the country’s coronavirus testing kits after samples taken from a goat and papaya tested positive. Speaking at an event in Chato in the northwest of Tanzania on Sunday, the President said…

Covid-19: Zimbabwe pleads with foreign lenders to prevent coronavirus ‘catastrophe’

Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe HARARE, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe is headed for a health and economic catastrophe from the coronavirus pandemic because its debt arrears mean it cannot access foreign lenders, the finance minister warned in a letter to the IMF. Mthuli Ncube said in the letter dated…

Covid-19: Nigerian govt to evacuate over 700 citizens from US

NEW YORK, May 5 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Evacuation of Nigerians stranded in the US due to the novel coronavirus pandemic is to begin on May 10, according to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York. The Consulate-General disclosed this in a notice signed by the Consul-General, Benaoyagha Okoyen, on behalf of…

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…