Update: Global lockdown tightens as Covid-19 deaths mount

PARIS, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Harsh lockdowns aimed at halting themarch of the coronavirus pandemic extended worldwide Monday as the death toll soared past 37,600 amid new waves of US outbreaks. Despite slivers of hope in stricken Italy and Spain, the tough measuresthat have confined some two-fifths of the globe’s…

Covid-19: Major airlines urge US Treasury to disburse assistance quickly with American Airlines seeking $12bn bailout

NEW YORK, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Major US airlines asked the US Treasury to move quickly to release up to $58 billion in government grants and loans and recommended a formula to divide up the money.In a letter, carriers wrote that “given the urgent and immediate need, it is essential…

Covid-19: Prince Charles is out of self-isolation and ‘in good health’ after positive test

British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles LONDON, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, who had tested positive for coronavirus, is out of self-isolation after seven days and is in good health, his spokesman said. Last week, his Clarence House office revealed that Charles, 71, had been tested after displaying mild…

Covid-19: Belarus president says vodka and saunas can cure coronavirus as country refuses to lockdown

President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko MINSK, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Belarus’ President has claimed vodka and saunas can cure deadly coronavirus as he ignores global health advice amid the pandemic. President Alexander Lukashenko has shrugged off concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak and refused to order his citizens into lockdown. In…

US: Pres Trump says British Royalties Harry and Meghan must pay for security while in the country

Harry and Meghan have reportedly relocated from Canada to California WASHINGTON, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump says the US will not foot the bill for Prince Harry and Meghan’s security amid reports that the pair have moved to the US from Canada. Trump tweeted he was “a great…

Covid-19: US in good shape to meet virus ‘peak’ – Pres Trump

WASHINGTON, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pres Donald Trump has said the US will be in “a very good shape” in terms of the number of ventilators available by the time the coronavirus outbreak peaks. The president said at least 10 US companies were now making the medical devices, and some…

Covid-19: Spanish princess becomes first royal in the world to die from coronavirus

Princess Maria Teresa MADRID, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma has become the first royal in the world to die from coronavirus, according to a statement from her brother, Prince Sixto Enrique. The princess, a distant cousin of King Felipe VI, was 86 and died in…

Covid-19: South Africa may seek IMF loan to fight coronavirus; announces tax relief for businesses

A soldier stands guard as police members check vehicles at the start of a 21 day nationwide lockdown PRETORIA, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa has considered approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other institutions as a last resort for emergency funding to fight the coronavirus that has brought…

Covid-19: Germany to fly out 7,000 tourists stuck in South Africa

South African Airways will provide the repatriation flights PRETORIA, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The German embassy in South Africa is making plans to repatriate some 7,000 of its nationals who are stuck in the country. Already, 47 German tourists are under quarantine in the country after one of them tested…

Covid-19: Drone monitoring curfew shot down by mistake in Sudan

The streets of Sudan’s capital Khartoum are empty during the curfew KHARTOUM, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan’s presidential guards shot down a drone that turned out to be monitoring a curfew put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus , according to al-Sahya newspaper. The guards shot down the…