Egypt presses on with new capital in the desert amid virus outbreak
While Egypt’s economy has stumbled due to the coronavirus outbreak, construction at a new capital taking shape east of Cairo is continuing at full throttle after a short pause to adjust working practices, officials say.
Exclusive: Fearing shortages, EU may deploy emergency funds in COVID-19 vaccine race
The European Commission is weighing using a $2.6 billion emergency fund to boost pharmaceutical labs’ capacity, fearing that even if a COVID-19 vaccine is developed the EU may not be able to produce enough shots, a document seen by Reuters shows.
Canada, U.S. appear likely to extend travel restrictions until June 21: Canadian sources
Canada and the United States appear likely to extend a ban on non-essential travel until June 21 amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, two Canadian government sources said on Wednesday.
Kazakhstan to reopen mosques, hotels, restaurants, passenger trains
Kazakhstan will reopen places of worship, hotels, and small cafes and restaurants from May 18, the government said on Wednesday, two months after the Central Asian nation began a coronavirus lockdown.
Swiss doctor taps his past to help Zurich meet PPE needs
Love led a young Swiss doctor to emigrate to South Africa, his wife’s home country. Years later, love for his disabled child brought him back to Switzerland.
Remote Lesotho becomes last country in Africa to record COVID-19 case
Lesotho recorded its first case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, the health ministry said, becoming the last country in Africa to be afflicted by the virus.
UK’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll rises by 494 to 33,186
A total of 33,186 people who tested positive for the new coronavirus have died in the United Kingdom, a rise of 494 in a 24-hour period, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
Alphabet’s Loon and S.Africa’s Vodacom to expand rural internet in Mozambique
Loon, a unit of Google’s owner Alphabet Inc , which uses high-altitude balloons to provide mobile internet to remote areas, has signed a deal with Vodacom to expand the South African mobile operator’s network in Mozambique.
Ignoring social distancing, protesters mock Hong Kong leader Lam on her birthday
Hundreds of protesters gathered in shopping malls across Hong Kong on Wednesday, flouting coronavirus-related social distancing rules to mock unpopular Chief Executive Carrie Lam on her birthday.
EU calls for European borders to reopen to save tourist season
The European Union pushed on Wednesday for a gradual reopening of borders within the bloc shut by the coronavirus, saying it was not too late to salvage some of the summer tourist season while keeping people safe.
