US explores possibility that Coronavirus started in Chinese lab, not a market

By Josh Campbell, Kylie Atwood & Evan Perez, CNN US intelligence and national security officials say the United States government is looking into the possibility that the novel Coronavirus originated in a Chinese laboratory rather than a market, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter who caution it is premature to draw any conclusions. The theory is one of multiple being pursued by investigators as they attempt to determine the origin of the Coronavirus that has resulted in…

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Roger Milla: The oldest player to ever participate and score in a World Cup

  By Afeseh Apong, kick442.com The name Albert Roger Milla is certainly not new to football lovers, especially those who were opportune to watch football in the period between the early 1970 and the late 1990’s.  Born in Cameroon’s political capital on May 20, 1952, young Roger Milla would commence his football journey at the tender age of 13, when he joined the youths ranks Eclair de Douala. His rich football journey took him through 11 clubs both in…

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Dowa underfunded in the COVID-19 fight

By Tiyanjane Nandie Mambucha, MANA Minister of Trade and Industry, Salim Bagus has expressed worry over the budget that was allocated to Dowa District for efforts towards Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention, saying the district has high population and needs more resources. Dowa District was allocated K30 million and the Minister said comparing with other districts, the money was on the lower side. Briefing Dowa District Coronavirus response committee, the minister, who is a member of the Special Cabinet Committee on…

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Unfounded myth leads to Machinga villagers to vandalise K55m-worth solar powered irrigation scheme

  By Chimwemwe Mphande, MANA Police in Machinga have arrested 19 people for allegedly vandalising and stealing property worth K55 million at Ulongwe Solar Powered Irrigation Scheme last month in believing the system was causing children to unexpectedly faint. Angered with this misguided myth, the villagers from the Traditional Authority Nyambi in the district stormed the facility where they destroyed it and stole property from the K55 million-worth newly-constructed irrigation scheme. In an interview with MANA, Machinga Police deputy…

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Minister Ben Phiri applauds stakeholder collaboration in Kasungu’s COVID-19 response

By Vincent Khonje, MANA Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ben Phiri has applauded the relationship that exists between the District Council and its development partners in the response to the preventive measures against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The District Council’s partners include Plan International Malawi, Care Malawi and WaterAid that work in close association with traditional leaders, Members of Parliament and Councillors in playing different roles. Plan International and Care Malawi have and are still supporting…

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COVID-19 Lockdown: MCTU asks Government to increase PAYE free threshold from MK40,000 to MK100,000

By Duncan Mlanjira Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) has asked President Peter Mutharika that for the Lockdown to be effective, amongst other measures, to seriously consider cushioning workers’ disposable income by increasing Pay As You Earn (PAYE) free threshold from MK40,000 to MK100,000. This should be done until such a time that the carrying out of economic activities return to normal after the pandemic is over. Through a public statement, MCTU is also asking the Government to reduce…

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MEC suspends all the subsequent phases of the voter registration exercise due to COVID-19 Lockdown

  By Duncan Mlanjira Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announces that it has resolved to suspend all the subsequent voter registration exercise and all other related electoral activities for the fresh presidential elections scheduled for July 2 in view of the forthcoming 21-day National Lockdown which the government will execute from Saturday, April 18. The Lockdown that Government is set to execute is meant to suspend some of national services to restrict movements of people as new and stricter measures…

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COVID-19: Tanzania restricts travellers through Isongole Border to and from Chitipa

  By Bishop Witmos, MANA Tanzania government has restricted travellers entering its Ileje District through the Isongole Border post from Malawi’s Chitipa District. A letter dated April 9 from Ileje District Commissioner (DC), Joseph Mkude informs his neighbouring counterpart, DC for Chitipa Humphreys Gondwe that travellers into Tanzania through the said border will not be allowed unless they are quarantined for 14 days. Mkude says in the letter that only those with “grave reasons of coming to Isongole, communication…

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Botomani disputes Special Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 draws K600,000 allowance for each meeting

  By Fredrick Manda, MANA Minister of Information, Civic education and Communication Technology, Mark Botomani has disputed reports that the Special Cabinet Committee on COVID-19, in which he is a member, draws K600,000 as an allowance for each meeting. Botomani said this to underscore the Government’s calls asking the general public to stop spreading fake news about Coronavirus (COVID-19). He was speaking on Tuesday in Nkhotakota District when he visited the district to appreciate the level of preparedness in…

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COVID-19: Key economic shutdown household preparations

  By Duncan Mlanjira Following the decree made by President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday, April 14, through Minister of Health & Population, Jappie Mhango that the country will go on a 21-day nationwide lockdown — effective Saturday April 18 as new and stricter measures to contain the further spread of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some social commentators have outlined some key economic shutdown household preparations. They include stocking up household essentials in bulk to avoid being forced to…

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