Nigerian soldiers kill 105 Boko Haram fighters in battle

The Nigerian Army says its soldiers have carried out an onslaught killing 105 Boko Haram insurgents in Yobe state, northeast of the country.

Correspondent Phil Ihaza, reports from Nigeria's capital Abuja.

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UK FURLOUGH SCHEME GOES LIVE

The UK government's Job Retention Scheme - designed to keep staff on payroll during the coronavirus crisis - has gone live.

The government will cover 80% of workers' wages up to a certain level.

It comes amid reports Prime Minister Boris Johnson is urging caution when it comes to easing Britain's lockdown restrictions in May.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says the government can't rush it.

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Foreign Nationals Working in Uganda Evacuated

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Over 1000 foreign nationals working in Uganda  have been evacuated since the government imposed a coronavirus lockdown.

The Ugandan government closed its airport and borders in March, a day after the country reported its first case of COVID-19.

Isabel Nakirya reports.

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Shops in Germany begin to reopen

Some shops in Germany are open again as the country begins loosening coronavirus restrictions. 

The country, which has had over one hundred thousand confirmed cases, has seen a steady decline in new cases although officials warn that the situation remains fragile.

Ira Spitzer has more from Berlin.

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Coronavirus cases in Japan exceed 10,500

Coronavirus cases in Japan have topped 10,000 - mainly driven by younger patients. This comes just days after a state of emergency was expanded nationwide in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. Grace Lee has more from Tokyo.

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S. Korea extends social distancing campaign but with eased guidelines

Fearful of a resurgence of Covid-19, South Korea's government has extended its social distancing campaign for the country. But the measures won't be as harsh as the number of new daily infections continues to shrink.

Bruce Harrison reports from Seoul. 

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Trump says Defence Production Act will be used to increase Swab production

US President Donald Trump has said he is invoking the Defence Production Act to increase the production of swabs.

Speaking at the daily coronavirus task force briefing, he once again said testing is expanding rapidly across the country.

Our Washington Correspondent Jagruti Dave reports.

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COVID-19 - Dar Produce Markets asked to self-regulate

The Dar es Salaam regional commissioner Paul Makonda has asked produce markets and businesses in the region to self-regulate and find the best means to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

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East Africa Community passenger planes advised to shift to cargo

Executives at the East African Business Council have advised the six East African Community partner states to convert passenger aircraft to be used for cargo-only operations and re-position air cargo flight crews due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Isaac Lukando has more from Dar es Salaam.

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Trump tells residents of 3 states to rise up against coronavirus lockdowns

President Trump is encouraging residents of several American states to resist lockdowns and stay at home orders.

In a series of messages on Twitter, the President called on people to "liberate" Virginia, Michigan and Minnesota….each state run by Democrats, and each state on lockdown.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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Parts of North America in Megadrought

A new study shows parts of North America are in a mega drought…..experiencing their driest spell in hundreds of years. 

The journal "Science" published the study.

US Correspondent Rachel Silverman has details. 

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WHO warns Africa could be next coronavirus hotspot

There's a warning Africa could become the next epicenter of the
coronavirus pandemic.

The World Health Organization says ten million people on the continent
could be infected in the next six months.

Sarah Walton reports

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Premier League clubs committed to completing season, but with no date set

Premier League football teams in England are still committed to finishing the 92 outstanding fixtures of the current season, despite the suspension of play since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

However, clubs insist that "all dates are tentative," and there isn't a firm deadline in place to resume games.

 

Benji Hyer reports from London. 

 

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New York expands face covering guidelines

The governor of New York Andrew Cuomo has signed an executive order
instructing the public to wear face coverings when out in public.

The measure is the latest step in the state's effort to stem the
spread of Covid-19.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Democrats criticize Trump reopening plan as deaths rise

Democrats have criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to reopen
the American economy calling the ideas "vague and inconsistent".

It comes as the U.S. death toll continues to rise, now topping 33,000
with around 640,000 confirmed cases.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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German Health Minister: Coronavirus crisis now ‘manageable’

German health minister Jens Spahn [YENS SHPAWN] called the coronavirus crisis "manageable" as the country prepares to relax some of its restrictions beginning Monday.

The rate of new infections has slowed over the past two weeks although German officials have cautioned that the situation could change quickly

Ira Spitzer has more from Berlin.

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DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE ANNOUNCE MENTAL HEALTH HELP

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are promoting a campaign with the UK's National Health Service, which encourages people to look after their mental health while in lockdown.

Prince William and Catherine say there's an ever-increasing need for people to know where to go for mental health support or find ways to help themselves.

Stuart Smith has more from London.

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EIGHT MORE COVID PATIENTS DISCHARGED IN UGANDA

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The number of people in Uganda who have recovered from coronavirus has increased to twenty, giving hope to those  dealing with the crisis. The East African country has so far registered fifty-five cases of the disease. Leon Solomon reports. 

 

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Russia postpones Victory Day parade

Vladimir Putin has announced the postponement of the biggest event of the Russian calendar - the Victory Day parade. With Russia's coronavirus cases exceeding 28,000, President Putin says the risks are too high to hold a big gathering. Julia Chapman reports from Moscow.

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China's Economy Declines for First Time in Decades

China's economy shrank by 6.8% in the first quarter, bringing an end to a near half-century of growth.

It follows unprecedented efforts to contain the outbreak since January.

Patrick Fok reports.

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