Update: As Europe reels, US braces for staggering virus death toll

WASHINGTON, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Americans were told to bracefor “very painful” weeks ahead in a worsening coronavirus pandemic projected to claim up to a quarter million US lives, as fatalities spiked in European hotspots Spain, France and Britain. With more than 42,100 already killed by the disease barrelling around…

US: strong 6.5 magnitude quake hits state of Idaho

LOS ANGELES, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit the western US state of Idaho on Tuesday with no immediate reports of damage or fatalities. The strong quake, which was felt throughout the state, struck shortlybefore 6:00 pm local time and lasted between 20 and 30 seconds, residentsreported. “Yep…

Covid-19: US Army Corps to build hundreds of temporary hospitals for coronavirus crisis

NEW YORK, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US officials want to build hundreds of temporary hospitals across the country to cope with the thousands of new Coronavirus cases being diagnosed daily. The US Army Corps of Engineers, which converted a New York convention center into a 1,000-bed hospital in the space of a…

Covid-19: US, Turkish presidents agree on efforts to combat virus

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Donald Trump WASHINGTON/ANKARA, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The presidents of US and Turkey agreed that the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak could only be won through global solidarity and cooperation. US Pres Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan discussed the…

Covid-19: Russia’s top coronavirus doctor who met Pres Putin tests positive

Russian President, Vladimir Putin MOSCOW, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The head of Moscow’s main coronavirus hospital who met with President Vladimir Putin a week ago has tested positive, as the Kremlin announced the Russian leader’s health was fine. Last Tuesday Denis Protsenko met with the Russian leader who inspected the…

Covid-19: France’s death toll surges past 3,500

PARIS, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The new coronavirus killed an additional 499 people in France on Tuesday as it continues to take a devastating toll on the country, said the health authorities. The death toll surged to 3,523 and a total of 52,128 cases of infection were recorded, according to…

Covid-19: 13-year-old boy dies, youngest in UK – London hospital trust

LONDON, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 13-year-old boy who tested positive for coronavirus has died, a London hospital trust has said. Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, from Brixton in south London, died in King’s College Hospital early on Monday. He is thought to be the youngest person to have died with the…

Covid-19: Botswana leader announces ‘extreme lockdown’ from April 2

President Masisi also announced a relief fund and wage subsidies GABORONE, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has declared a state of emergency for 28 days to curb the spread of the coronavirus.He said there will be an “extreme lockdown” from Thursday April 2 when only those providing…

Covid-19: Westerners in East Africa face virus hostility

East African countries have banned all international arrivals in airports NAIROBI, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panic over the global coronavirus pandemic has led to discrimination of foreigners in East Africa. From Ethiopia, to Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Westerners have been verbally and physically abused over fears that…

Covid-19: African finance ministers seek $100b cushion against coronavirus

South African Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni PRETORIA, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — African finance ministers have appealed for a $100 billion bailout package from international lenders to cushion their economies from effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which has put the entire continent in virtual lockdown. In an appeal signed by…