Bavarians defy coronavirus with drive-thru ‘Dult’ fair
May is the month for the first of the annual Bavarian “Dults,” Germany’s folk festivals where locals gather in beer tents to feast and drink on regional specialties.
Colombia readies new state of emergency to ease pain of virus lockdown
Colombia’s government on Wednesday said it was preparing to declare a second state of emergency to support sectors of the economy that will remain shut down for an extended period to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
U.S.’ Khalilzad to meet Taliban in Qatar, visit India, Pakistan
The U.S. special representative for Afghanistan will call for a reduction in Afghan violence, the start of intra-Afghan peace talks and cooperation against the new coronavirus on a trip to Qatar, India and Pakistan, the U.S. State Department said on We…
Up to 1,200 deployed in Libya by Russian military group: U.N. report
Russian private military contractor Wagner Group has up to 1,200 people deployed in Libya, strengthening the forces of eastern-based military leader Khalifa Haftar, according to a confidential United Nations report seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
Detained American tells Venezuela state TV he plotted Maduro’s capture
Venezuelan state television broadcast on Wednesday a video of captured American Luke Denman, in which he said he was instructed to seize control of Caracas’ airport and bring in a plane to fly President Nicolas Maduro to the United States.
Germany eases lockdown, with ’emergency brake’ on hand if needed
Chancellor Angela Merkel announced steps on Wednesday to ease the coronavirus lockdown in Germany but at the same time launched an “emergency brake” mechanism allowing for renewed restrictions in case infections pick up again.
Iceland close to full recovery from coronavirus: govt
Iceland has all but eliminated the coronavirus outbreak as 97% of infected patients have recovered and only two new cases have been confirmed in the last week, the government said in a statement on Wednesday.
Pentagon blasts FCC decision to approve Ligado spectrum plan
The U.S. Defense Department on Wednesday blasted a decision by the Federal Communications Commission last month to allow Ligado Networks [MOSAV.UL] to deploy a low-power nationwide mobile broadband network, saying it could pose severe risks to global p…
Amazon indigenous groups launch international fund to fight coronavirus
Indigenous groups from nine countries in the Amazon basin called on Wednesday for donations to help protect 3 million rainforest inhabitants who are vulnerable to the spread of the novel coronavirus because they lack adequate access to healthcare.
EU offers more aid, membership to Balkans in riposte to China, Russia
The European Union’s 27 leaders on Wednesday gave their “unequivocal support” for the six Balkan countries to eventually become members of the bloc and offered them more financial support as Brussels seeks to check Chinese largesse.
