Covid-19: Bulgaria declares state of emergency

Members of Sofia’s Municipality disinfects the biggest market for Chinese goods in Sofia SOFIA, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Bulgarian parliament voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency until April 13 to contain the spread of coronavirus. Bulgaria had 23 confirmed cases, including one fatality, according to the Health…

Guinea sets March 22 for controversial constitutional referendum

CONAKRY, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guinea’s President Alpha Conde has set March 22 for the constitutional referendum on his proposed reforms that opponents worry will allow him to bypass term limits and stay in power. The vote, originally set for March 1 but delayed over local andinternational concerns about its…

EU to give migrants in Greece €2,000 to go home

Migrants live in squalor in Moria camp on Lesbos  ATHENS, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU says it will pay €2,000 each to migrants in overcrowded camps on the Greek islands willing to go back to their home countries. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced the scheme in Athens.…

Covid-19: Mauritania confirms first case

NOUAKCHOTT, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mauritania has confirmed its first case of novel coronavirus, the country’s health minister said,adding to the growing number of cases in West Africa. In a televised statement, Health Minister Mohamed Nedhirou Ould Hamed said the case involved a foreigner who tested positive on Friday. “He…

Covid-19: Canadian PM Trudeau in two-week isolation after wife tests positive

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau OTTAWA, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in isolation for two weeks after his wife, Sophie, tested positive for coronavirus. Sophie Gregoire Trudeau recently returned from London and experienced flu-like symptoms, so she was…

Update: Spain declares state of emergency as virus cases pass 4,200

MADRID, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain has declared a state of emergency as coronavirus cases have surged beyond 4,200, with 120 deaths registered. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the administration Saturday will decide on the measures to be taken under the state of emergency, which gives the government more…

Pregnant teen dies after falling from US-Mexico border wall

HOUSTON (Texas, US), March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A pregnant 19-year-old migrant from Guatemala died after trying to climb over a border fence in Texas, authorities said. Doctors were not able to save her child.United States media, quoting a statement from Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that the woman, Miriam…

UN non-essential staff to work from home

UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — All United Nations staff at its headquarters in New York were told to work from home for at least three weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak unless it was essential for them to be present.Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the plan was “to reduce our…

Covid-19: US declares a national emergency

WASHINGTON, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Pres Donald Trump declared a “national emergency” on Friday due to the coronavirus pandemic. He said the action would “open up access to up to $50 billion,” which he described as “a large amount of money for states and territories and localities in our…

Zimbabwe gets back iconic bird statues stolen during colonialism

A carved bird in standstone in the Great Zimbabwe ruins, symbol of an African culture HARARE, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — They figure on Zimbabwe’s national flag, banknotes and official documents: stone statues representing birds taken away by the European colonialists more than a century ago.The eight original sculptures hold great…