Lift sanctions on Iran, North Korea, Venezuela in coronavirus crisis: UN

GENEVA, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A UN human rights expert called for lifting international sanctions against countries ranging from Iran to North Korea and Venezuela to ensure that food supplies reach hungry populations during the coronavirus pandemic. Iran, under sweeping US sanctions for its nuclear and missile programmes, is among the hardest-hit…

Countries threaten jail for April Fools’ Day jokes about COVID-19

LONDON, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — From Thailand to India, countries have told people not to make April Fools’ Day pranks related to COVID-19, with some threatening jail time as they seek to prevent the spread of rumours which could put lives at risk. Tech giant Google, which is famous for its…

Covid-19: US deaths pass 4,000 – Johns Hopkins

Death toll from Covid-19 in the US is more than double compared to three days earlier, said expert WASHINGTON, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The total US death toll from the coronavirus pandemic topped 4,000 early Wednesday, more than double the number from three days earlier, according to a tally by Johns…

Covid-19: UN chief calls for global “solidarity” in fight against virus

UN Secretary-General António Guterres UNITED NATIONS, April 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for global “solidarity” and cooperation on socio-economic fronts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. “The world is facing an unprecedented test,” he said in a report on the socio-economic…

COVID-19: Brazil’s death toll tops 200

A field hospital is set up by Rio de Janeiro state government, amid coronavirus disease outbreak, next to the Maracana stadium RIO DE JANEIRO, April 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — The number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus in Brazil has hit 201 with a rise of 42 in 24 hours,…

Greek PM thanks donors for contribution to battle against COVID-19

President of the Onassis Foundation Antonis Papadimitriou (L), Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (C) and Greek Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias attend a ceremony at the Athens international airport in Athens, ATHENS, April 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his gratitude to all those who have helped in…

Covid-19: First batch of EU-funded medical supply delivered to BiH

SARAJEVO, April 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — A total of 2,500 coronavirus test kits, financed by the European Union (EU) and procured by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), have been delivered to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), according to the EU Delegation to BiH. “This is the first in a series of…

Covid-19: World’s busiest border falls quiet with millions of Mexicans barred from US

SAN DIEOGO, US: File photo of a section of double fencing that sits along the US/Mexico border near Border Field State Park . Photo courtesy of Denis Poroy/ZUMA Wire/dpa TIJUANA/CIUDAD JUAREZ (Mexico), April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The world’s busiest land border has fallen quiet as restrictions to contain the coronavirus…

Update Covid-19: Russia includes jail terms to enforce crackdown

Strict lockdowns in Moscow have been followed up by regions across the country MOSCOW, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The Russian parliament has approved an “anti-virus” package of laws including up to seven years in prison for serious violations of quarantine rules. The tough laws and amendments were rushed through in record time, as…

Covid-19: California to release 3,500 non-violent prison inmates

LOS ANGELES, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The prison system in the largest US state of California plans to release about 3,500 non-violent inmates early to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 illness, officials said. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said the first group of inmates released…