UN-backed Libyan govt says indiscriminate shelling kills 3 children in Tripoli

TRIPOLI, March 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — Indiscriminate shelling killed three children in the south of the Libyan capital, said a local official. “Three children of one family were killed by indiscriminate shelling in Ain Zara, southern Tripoli,” said Amin Hashem, information adviser of the UN-backed government’s Ministry of Health. Both the…

Chile’s 2019 economic growth lowest in decade: central bank

SANTIAGO, March 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Chilean economy grew 1.1 percent in 2019, the poorest performance in a decade mainly due to social upheaval that disrupted productivity in the fourth quarter, the Central Bank of Chile said. The figure failed to meet the 3-percent economic growth forecast for 2019. According…

Covid-19: Chile declares state of catastrophe

Local workers clean the streets as a precautionary measure in Vina del Mar, Chile SANTIAGO, March 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chilean President Sebastian Pinera declared a 90-day state of catastrophe to step up the government’s action to combat the COVID-19 epidemic that has so far infected 238 people. At a press…

Covid-19: US Pres Trump plans to invoke Defense Production Act to combat coronavirus outbreak

WASHINGTON, March 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — US President Donald Trump said he will invoke the Defense Production Act, which allows the administration to force American industry to ramp up production of medical supplies, to combat the coronavirus pandemic. “It can do a lot of good things if we need it,” Trump…

UK PM denies intention to extend Brexit transition period

British Prime Minster Boris Johnson LONDON, March 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — British Prime Minister indicated that he is sticking to the timetable that will see Britain and European Union (EU) end the Brexit transition period at the end of this year. Currently, Britain and the EU are involved in talks to…

Covid-19: 1 mln China-donated masks arrive in Belgium en route to France

Medical materials from China arrive at the Liege airport in Belgium en route to France. The medical supply was mobilized by two Chinese charities to help combat the spread of COVID-19 LIEGE (Belgium), March 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — A batch of 1 million face masks arrived in Belgium on Wednesday en…

Covid-19: South African rivals unite to fight coronavirus

PRETORIA, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has met leaders of the country’s main political parties and has appealed for solidarity in the fight against coronavirus.At a news conference, opposition politicians confirmed they were backing the government’s efforts.But the interim leader of the Democratic Alliance, John Steenhuisen,…

Covid-19: Gambia suspends parliament after first case of coronavirus reported

BANJUL, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gambia’s National Assembly said that it is suspending sessions until further notice, a day after news of the country’s first case of the novel coronavirus was disclosed. Health Minister Ahmadou Lamin Samateh announced that officials had confirmed the virus in a 20-year-old woman who arrived…

Covid-19-free Niger announces coronavirus preventive measures

NIAMEY, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Niger’s president Mahamadou Issoufou has announced the closure of the country’s land borders, Niamey airport and its educational institutions to prevent the entry into the territory of coronavirus. There are currently no confirmed cases of the virus in the landlocked African country. The measures follow…

Malawi’s president sacks army commander

 President of Malawi Peter Mutharika LILONGWE, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika has fired Army Commander Vincent Nundwe for allowing his men to protect demonstrators protesting the results of last year’s elections. Nundwe has been replaced with Major General Andrew Lapken Namathanga, according to local media reports. Protests…