Uruguay to repatriate Australians and New Zealanders from coronavirus-hit cruise ship
Uruguay on Saturday will repatriate 112 Australians and New Zealanders from a cruise ship that has been stranded in the La Plata River near capital Montevideo since March 27, the government of the small South American country said.
Italy PM extends virus lockdown, says euro zone rescue plan inadequate
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday extended a nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus until May 3, though he said a few types of shops would be allowed to re-open next week.
Two-day lockdown imposed in much of Turkey, death toll tops 1,000
Istanbul, Ankara and other major Turkish cities will be locked down for two days from midnight to combat the spread of COVID-19, the Interior Ministry said on Friday, as the country’s death toll from the epidemic rose above 1,000.
Portugal’s Costa criticises Netherlands over commitment to EU
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Friday that the Netherlands’ attempt to block economic support to fight the coronavirus raised questions about the future of the European Union.
Fire breaks out at Siberian prison after violence
A fire broke out at a prison in the Siberian region of Irkutsk after a riot by inmates late on Thursday, the Interfax news agency reported.
Moroccan companies begin ventilator production
Morocco has started manufacturing its own ventilators with oxygen masks, with 500 expected to be ready by mid-April to help meet demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Industry Ministry said.
Nigeria rejects U.S. senator’s query over $300 million Abacha loot repatriation
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has criticised a letter from a powerful U.S. senator questioning the return to Nigeria of more than $300 million in funds looted by former military ruler General Sani Abacha.
Ireland extends coronavirus lockdown to May 5
Ireland on Friday extended its stay-at-home coronavirus restrictions until May 5, as Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the curbs had significantly slowed the spread of the outbreak but more work was required to end it.
Ebola patient dies in Congo, first case in 50 days
The first person to contract Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo in more than 50 days has died, the government said on Friday, ending hopes that the second worst outbreak of the disease in history might be over.
Ireland’s Fianna Fail, Fine Gael extend government talks
Ireland’s Fianna Fail and Fine Gael parties hope to reach an agreement by early next week aimed at attracting enough additional support to form a government, two months after an inconclusive election, a senior member of the Fianna Fail team said on Fri…
