Paris, France | AFP | Over a 24-hour period, in a world where a third of humanity is now under orders to stay home, AFP photographers have captured snapshots of daily life during the coronavirus pandemic. From Paris to Santa Monica, Dhaka to Panama, life has shuddered to a halt in …
Read More »US joblessness set to spike as virus takes toll on businesses
Washington, United States | AFP | With streets in major cities barren, and shops and restaurants forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, economists warn of a record explosion of Americans filing for unemployment benefits. The Labor Department on Thursday will release its weekly data on first-time applications for jobless …
Read More »COVID-19: World bank, IMF call for debt relief for poorer countries
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have called for the suspension of debt repayments for poorer countries as many of them turn to focus on battling the Coronavirus (COVID -19). In a joint statement on Wednesday night, the two multi-lateral lenders said the Coronavirus …
Read More »Pastor, followers arrested for defying presidential directive on gatherings
Kamwenge, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kamwenge Police are holding members of Kamwenge Life Pentecostal Church led by Pastor Augustine Byaruhanga for defying the presidential directive against public gatherings. He was picked up together with Eliab Ampumuza, Scolah Kyomukama, Enid Kyomugisha while other members are still at large. The group was …
Read More »$2 trillion rescue package passes US Senate, heads to House
Washington, United States | AFP | The US Senate unanimously passed the nation’s largest-ever rescue package late Wednesday, a $2 trillion lifeline to suffering Americans, critically depleted hospitals and an economy all ravaged by a rapidly spreading coronavirus crisis. The measure cleared the Senate 96-0 after days of tumultuous, sometimes bitter …
Read More »Entebbe hospital overwhelmed by huge numbers seeking to test
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital is overwhelmed by the huge number of people seeking to test for the coronavirus disease-COVD-19. The Hospital Director, Dr. Moses Muwanga, says that several people have shown up seeking to test ever since the Health Ministry asked people who have traveled in …
Read More »Ban on public transport leaves hundreds of travelers stranded in Gulu
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hundreds of travelers were left left stranded in Gulu Town on Wednesday night following a 14-day ban on public transport by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. On Wednesday President Museveni announced the 14-day Government’s travel ban on public transport in order to curtail the spread the …
Read More »COVID-19: Couples frustrated over ban on large public gatherings
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The ban on public gatherings announced by President, Yoweri Museveni as a preventive measure against the Corona virus pandemic has taken a huge toll on several couples who had scheduled their weddings this season. On Wednesday last week, President, Museveni banned all kinds of public …
Read More »These Icelanders skip the hot springs for ice baths
Grindavik, Iceland | AFP | Using slow, deliberate movements and deep breathing, bathers immerse themselves in the waters of an ice-covered lake in southwestern Iceland. While others might opt for the soothing hot springs for which the country is famous, this hardy group prefers an ice bath, all in the name …
Read More »Industry races to meet demand for ventilators
Paris, France | AFP | Manufacturers are on a mission to produce desperately needed medical ventilators for the coronavirus pandemic, even if it means converting assembly lines now making auto parts. Along with a shortage of masks and gloves, the spread of COVID-19 to almost every corner of the globe has …
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