Washington, United States | AFP | The Trump administration on Monday sent out the first payments meant to help save airline jobs as the industry is ravaged by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The US Treasury sent the first $2.9 billion of the plan — agreed upon last week after …
Read More »Main market in Burkina capital reopens as virus lockdown lifts
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | AFP | It was back to business at the sprawling central market of Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, on Monday after a closure of nearly a month in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s a joy to see the market reopen its doors,” said fabric dealer …
Read More »Hungry, jobless Americans turning to food banks to survive pandemic
New York, United States | AFP | American families slammed by the coronavirus pandemic are turning more and more to food banks to get by, waiting hours for donations in lines of cars stretching as far as the eye can see. And with 22 million people out of work seemingly overnight …
Read More »Lesotho’s army withdraws as calls mount for PM to resign
Maseru, Lesotho | AFP | Lesotho troops deployed by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane withdrew from the capital’s streets on Sunday in a showdown between the octogenerian leader and opponents demanding his resignation. Thabane faces mounting calls to step down from rivals within his ruling party and opposition groups over suspicions he …
Read More »War-weary Libyans view virus lockdown as another inconvenience
Tripoli, Libya | AFP | Already tired of the tribulations of war, Libyans in the capital Tripoli are reluctant to respect intensified lockdown measures introduced on Friday to forestall coronavirus. The round-the-clock curfew was flagged by the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) on Wednesday night and will apply for 10 …
Read More »Truck drivers in Kasese raise concerns over state of quarantine centre
Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Truck drivers in Kasese District have raised concerns over the state of quarantine centres in the district. Drivers arriving from Democratic Republic Congo-DRC in recent days have been put under the mandatory 14-days quarantine at Bwera Secondary School as a measure to control the spread …
Read More »S.African writer Deon Meyer looks back at his 2016 virus thriller
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African novelist Deon Meyer wished the deadly virus wrecking havoc in his 2016 thriller “Fever” had not turned into an eerily accurate depiction of the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world. “I find no pleasure in it,” said the crime fiction author and screenwriter. “I …
Read More »Cuba’s private sector suffering from a lack of tourists
Havana, Cuba | AFP | Havana is a ghost town. The American convertibles swooned over by tourists are back in the garage, while most restaurants and cafes are closed. Cuba’s private sector has been suffering since the island nation closed its borders over the coronavirus pandemic. In the charming old building …
Read More »NRM donates UGX 380 million towards COVID-19 response
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Resistance Movement- NRM Party has donated 380 million Shillings towards the provision of relief support to persons affected by measures to control the spread of Coronavirus Disease-COVID-19. The cheque containing these details was presented to the Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda on Sunday …
Read More »Katakwi residents drinking from bushes to beat COVID-19 restrictions
Katakwi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Katakwi District is fighting another battle with residents who have resorted to drinking local brew, popularly known as Ajon in the bushes. Since the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease – COVID-19, drinking of Ajon, a common brew that draws families, friends and other people together has …
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