Update: US Congress, negotiators reach deal on US$2 trillion COVID-19 aid package

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin WASHINGTON, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US senators and Trump administration officials have reached an agreement on a massive economic stimulus bill to alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, the negotiators said on Wednesday. The Senate will vote on the US$2-trillion package later…

Covid-19: Canada’s coronavirus economic aid package delayed

OTTAWA, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Billions in economic aid announced last week by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to help Canadians deal with the coronavirus pandemic hit a snag when opposition parties rejected giving his minority government unprecedented spending powers. Thirty-two members of Parliament, proportionally representing each party instead of the…

7.5-magnitude quake hits off Russia’s Kuril Islands: USGS

MOSCOW, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 7.5-magnitude quake hit off Russia’s Kuril Islands on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said. The quake hit at a depth of 59 kilometres, around 1,400kilometres northeast of the Japanese city of Sapporo, USGSadded. The US National Tsunami Warning Center said it was “analyzing the…

Covid-19: UK ramps up measures as more cases reported

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson  LONDON, March 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a series of measures that aim to restrict social contact in the United Kingdom, so as to curb the spread of COVID-19. Johnson made the Monday announcement during a TV address to the nation.…

Covid-19: Panic buying triggers price hikes for essentials in Zimbabwe as virus claims first life

HARARE, March 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — With demand far outstripping supply, prices for essential products needed to contain the spread of COVID-19 are on the rise as the virus takes its first life in Zimbabwe. In most supermarkets at the capital Harare, face masks and sanitizers were in acute short supply,…

Covid-19: Germany loses six million face masks in Kenya

BERLIN, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German customs officials are attempting to track down about 6 million face masks ordered to protect health workers from the coronavirus which went missing at an airport in Kenya. “The authorities are trying to find out what happened,” said a defence ministry spokeswoman, confirming a…

Covid-19: South Africa’s cases surge to 554 amid imminent national lockdown

SOUTH AFRICAN PRES CYRIL RAMAPHOSA CAPE TOWN, March 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — South Africa’s coronavirus cases surged to 554 on Tuesday amid an imminent national lockdown, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said. This was an increase of 152 from Monday’s announcement, the highest rise in a single day since the country reported…

Guinea’s opposition says 10 killed in protests

The opposition alleges the referendum is a ploy by President Alpha Conde to remain in power  CONAKRY, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Opposition activists in Guinea say at least 10 people have been killed in street clashes during Sunday’s controversial referendum on a new constitution. Critics said the vote was a…

Covid-19: Manu Dibango – African saxophone legend dies of virus

PARIS, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The African saxophone legend Manu Dibango has died in Paris after catching coronavirus. Dibango – best known for his 1972 hit Soul Makossa – is one of the first global stars to die from Covid-19. The 86-year-old fused jazz and funk music with traditional sounds from his home…

Mozambique: Government soldiers battling jihadists to reclaim lost key town in Cabo Delgado

Troops have been battling to defeat the militants in Mozambique  MAPUTO, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Islamist insurgents have seized control of a key town in northern Mozambique, close to where foreign companies are working on a $60bn (£52bn) natural gas project. The militants staged an overnight attack on Mocimboa de…