Libreville, Gabon | AFP | For years, African oil-exporting countries have vowed to wean themselves off crude — but for many, this uphill task may become mountainous after the coronavirus pandemic caused the energy market to collapse. Here is a snapshot of how sub-Saharan oil exporters are faring: – Who …
Read More »Expert cautions against use of masks among children
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr Rebecca Nantanda, a pediatrician based at the Makerere University Lung Institute has advised that the best protection against coronavirus disease for children younger than three years is staying at home. While the government has issued a directive to have everybody wear face masks …
Read More »Kazo DHO interdicted for failing to respond to COVID alerts
Kazo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr Samuel Tweheyo Kiroha, the District Health Officer-DHO of Kazo district has been interdicted for failing to respond to the coronavirus alerts from the community and frustrating the presidential directives on combating the pandemic. According to the letter authored by the District’s Chief Administrative Officer …
Read More »From opera to bread line: Italy’s surge in the ‘new poor’
Rome, Italy | AFP | For years, the Ronda della Solidarieta (Solidarity Patrol) charity has served up free dinners twice a week for Rome’s needy, passed out at twilight in the shadow of the city’s ancient ruins. But as Italy begins to feel the effects of its most punishing economic crisis …
Read More »COVID-19: Burundi expels top WHO team
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi has ordered the expulsion of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) expert team backing the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, just days before a presidential election. The foreign ministry, in a letter to WHO Africa headquarters and seen by AFP on Wednesday, said the …
Read More »Russian medics ask where Putin’s virus bonuses went
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Maria, a 24-year-old doctor working outside Moscow, expected to be paid extra if one of her patients tested positive for the coronavirus. Instead, her salary shrank. In a small town 200 kilometres (120 miles) from the capital, she visits patients at home and normally has around …
Read More »4.4 million Ugandans could lose jobs due to coronavirus-Report
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Four million Ugandans could lose their jobs if the Coronavirus pandemic persists for the next six months, according to the business climate index published by the Economic Policy Research Centre. EPRC conducted a survey, sending questionnaires electronically to 147 businesses which are a panel of …
Read More »US ‘army’ of virus contact tracers slow to mobilize
New York, United States | AFP | Contact tracing is supposed to be one of the key weapons in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, and for months authorities in the United States have touted the need for an “army” of tracers to allow the economy to reopen safely. But the …
Read More »In pandemic times, all the gaming world’s a (concert) stage
New York, United States | AFP | With concerts on hold to halt coronavirus spread, the gaming world is increasingly catering to music lovers, with artists becoming animated performers in virtual realms to the trippy delight of millions. The trend has gained momentum in recent weeks after the ultra-popular Fortnite morphed …
Read More »‘Optimism, excitement’ – Salzburg’s US coach Marsch looks forward to football returning
Paris, France | AFP | Having become the first American to coach a team in the Champions League and overseen the remarkable rise of Erling Braut Haaland, it was already an unforgettable season for Jesse Marsch before the coronavirus pandemic came along. Now the coach of Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg is …
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