Somali governor killed in Al-Shabaab suicide blast

A destroyed car at the site where a car bomb exploded near the Somali parliament in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A governor in Somalia’s Puntland has been killed in a suicide bombing claimed by the al-Shabaab group, police and hospital sources said.Abdisalan Hassan Hersi, governor of Nugaal region,…

Covid-19: African governments increase help to poor as more cases reported in East Africa

Kenya is to distribute cereals to the poor NAIROBI, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in Africa, governments in some countries are taking measures to help poor people affected by lockdowns and other restrictions.In Rwanda, which has the highest number of confirmed cases…

Sierra Leone scraps ban on pregnant girls from going to school

FREETOWN, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The government of Sierra Leone has overturned a ban on pregnant girls from attending school. The Ministry of Education said it was committed to ensuring all children had the right to go to school, regardless of their status. In December, the West African regional bloc’s…

Botswana executes duo convicted of murder in 2014

GABORONE, March 31 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Botswana, one of the few democracies to still enforce the death penalty, executed two men convicted of murder on March 28. The latest executions bring to four the number of hangings since President Mokgweetsi Masisi was elected last October. 33-year-old Moabi Seabelo Mabiletsa, and his…

Hundreds flee militants in northern Mozambique

MAPUTO, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of people are arriving in the Mozamican city of Pemba, mostly by boat, from areas attacked by militants last week, reports the independent TV station STV. Residents’ houses were destroyed in attacks in Mocimboa da Praia and Quissinga town last week. Local leaders are…

Covid-19: Ugandan authorities charged pastor for denying coronavirus exists in Africa

 Fruit vendors are chased off the streets of Kampala KAMPALA, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ugandan authorities have charged a controversial pastor who is accused of telling his congregation that there is no coronavirus in Africa. Prosecutors accuse Augustine Yiga of making the comments to the Revival Christian Church congregation on…

Covid-19: Facebook offers $100 mn to help virus-hit news media

WASHINGTON, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Facebook said it was donating $100 million to support news organizations globally hurting from the coronavirus pandemic, citing the need for reliable information about the crisis. “The news industry is working under extraordinary conditions to keep people informed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Facebook’s news…

Covid-19: Europe’s death toll tops 25,000

Paramedic carries out a patient on a stretcher from an ambulance at the Henri Mondor Hospital in Creteil, near Paris PARIS, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 25,000 people in Europe, according to official sources. With a total of 25,037 deaths out of 399,381 officially…

Covid-19: Tunisia gets 250 mln euros from EU to tackle coronavirus impact

Tunisian riot police officers carry out disinfection works at streets within precautions against coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tunis TUNIS, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union has granted Tunisia 250 million euros in aid to help it cope with the economic and social effects of the coronavirus outbreak, EU ambassador Patrice…

Zimbabwe orders total lockdown from Monday to combat coronavirus

HARARE, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe will impose a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Monday to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, and security forces may be deployed to enforce it, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said. The decision is seen hurting an economy already struggling with a drought, shortages…