Covid-19: Curfews as US shuts down to fight coronavirus

NEW YORK, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States began restricting citizens’ movements in a major escalation of attempts to contain the deadly coronavirus pandemic, as President Donald Trump warned the crisis could last well into the summer. New Jersey state and San Francisco announced curfews and Trump asked Americans…

Covid-19: Copa America postponed from 2020 to 2021 – official

ASUNCION, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — This summer’s Copa America in Argentina and Colombia was postponed by a year to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, organisers CONMEBOL said. The announcement came quick on the heels of UEFA’s similar decision to also push back Euro 2020 by 12 months. The Copa,…

Covid-19: France deploys 100,000 security forces for coronavirus

PARIS, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France deployed 100,000 police and gendarmerie forces Tuesday to control people’s movements because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the country’s interior minister. Christophe Castaner said those who do not respect the new rules, would be fined up to 135 euros ($151). President Emmanuel Macron…

African nations impose restrictions as coronavirus crisis looms

PRETORIA, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The coronavirus has now been confirmed in at least 30 of Africa’s 54 countries, officials said, as regional power South Africa warned of a new crisis once the virus begins to spread at home and into crowded low-income communities. The most alarming confirmation of a…

Six Nigerian soldiers killed in Boko Haram ambush

ABUJA, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Suspected members of the Boko Haram ambushed Nigerian troops in Banki area of Borno State, killing six soldiers. Military sources confirmed that the Sunday attack occurred close to Banki junction. The victims, members of the 151 task force battalion, include two sergeants, two lance corporals…

Covid-19: UN Security Council halts meetings due to coronavirus epidemic

UNITED NATIONS, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN SecurityCouncil called off its two remaining meetings for the week due tothe coronavirus crisis. After the earlier cancellation of the meeting planned for Tuesday, theSecurity Council was planning to discuss the situation in Sudan’s Darfurregion and hold a multilateralism meeting on Thursday.…

Covid-19: US, China accuse each other of fear-mongering

WASHINGTON/BEIJING, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and China on each demanded that the other stop smearing its reputation over the novel coronavirus as Pres Donald Trump referred to the pathogen as the “Chinese Virus.” “The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, likeAirlines and others, that are…

Covid-19 could bankrupt most airlines by end of May, consultant warns

A Delta flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport flies nearly empty to JFK on March 15 SYDNEY, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The coronavirus pandemic will bankrupt most airlines worldwide by the end of May unless governments and the industry take coordinated steps to avoid such a situation, an aviation consultant warned. Many…

Covid-19: US airports in disarray over screening

Passengers arriving at Chicago O’Hare airport faced lengthy waits  NEW YORK, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) —US airports have been thrown into chaos as new coronavirus health screening measures for people returning from Europe come into force. Long queues formed as travellers waited for hours for the screenings before passing through customs. The US…

Covid-19: EU states record highest one-day death toll

The area near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was quiet on Sunday  PARIS, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The three states bearing the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe have all recorded their highest death tolls for a single day. Italy saw 368 deaths bring its total to 1,809, Spain recorded 97…