Trump and Pakistan’s Khan discuss coordination against COVID-19
U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday discussed the global coronavirus pandemic and efforts to blunt its spread, the White House and the Pakistani leader’s office said.
Some UK social distancing likely for next year: chief medic
Restrictions on everyday life in Britain to slow the spread of COVID-19 are likely to be needed for the “next calendar year” due to the time needed to develop and roll out vaccines or find a cure, the country’s top medic said on Wednesday.
El Salvador student takes to treetops to pick up signal for online classes
When Alexander Contreras and his father planted a guava tree next to their house in rural El Salvador six years ago, he never dreamed that beyond providing shade and food, it would become key to his college education.
Tanzania’s president calls for debt forgiveness to help battle virus
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli called on international creditors on Wednesday to cancel debts owed by African nations to enable them use the savings to battle the coronavirus.
Muslim grouping OIC urges help for vulnerable states in coronavirus battle
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) urged member states on Wednesday to help struggling Muslim states combat the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in Africa.
Pompeo renews criticism of China over virus but welcomes supplies
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hit out at Beijing again on Wednesday over the coronavirus outbreak and accused it of taking advantage of the pandemic to bully neighbors, even as he welcomed China’s provision of essential medical supplies.
EU regrets U.S. refusal to allow economic aid for Iran to fight coronavirus
The European Union has urged the United States to ease its sanctions on Iran and approve economic aid to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic, but its calls were rejected, the EU’s top diplomat said on Wednesday.
Special Report: Peruvian coca farmers to Paris pushers, coronavirus upends global narcotics trade
Countries around the world have spent billions of dollars bailing out businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Peru’s coca farmers, who grow the bushy plant used to make cocaine, say they want help, too.
WHO chief urges U.S. to reconsider funding, says ‘virus will be with us for a long time’
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that he hoped the Trump administration would reconsider its suspension of funding, but that his main focus was on ending the pandemic and saving lives.
Iran reopens parks, further easing virus-linked curbs
Iran reopened parks and recreational areas on Wednesday, pressing ahead with measures to ease its coronavirus curbs despite one of the worst outbreaks of the disease in the Middle East.
