New coronavirus spread swiftly around world from late 2019, study finds
A genetic study of samples from more than 7,500 people infected with COVID-19 suggests the new coronavirus spread quickly around the world after it emerged in China sometime between October and December last year, scientists said on Wednesday.
Canada’s British Columbia the latest province to unveil restart plan
The Canadian province of British Columbia will begin reopening its economy as early as mid-May, the premier said on Wednesday, as new coronavirus cases dwindle and other parts of the country, including Quebec and Manitoba, begin to loosen their restric…
UAE calls for de-escalation in region to focus on coronavirus recovery
A senior United Arab Emirates official on Wednesday stressed the need for de-escalation in the region to allow countries to focus on “the hurricane” caused by the coronavirus pandemic and review development models.
Russia’s Lavrov, UK’s Raab agree on need to improve cooperation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his British counterpart Dominic Raab discussed relations between Moscow and London and voiced intention to improve cooperations, the Russian foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
U.S. announces $225 million in emergency aid to Yemen
The United States on Wednesday announced it will provide $225 million in emergency aid to Yemen to support food programs, and called on the Houthis to do more to allow aid operations to operate “independently and neutrally”.
Pompeo delays Hong Kong report to see if China acts to ‘further undermine’ autonomy
The U.S. State Department is delaying a report to Congress assessing whether Hong Kong enjoys sufficient autonomy from China to continue receiving special treatment from the United States, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday.
Dutch to begin easing lockdown measures next week, government says
The Netherlands has joined several European countries in announcing the easing of its coronavirus lockdown, outlining a four-month plan to phase out social restrictions if the virus remains under control.
Turkey starting new phase in coronavirus battle, government says
Turkey said on Wednesday it has brought the coronavirus outbreak under control, two months after it first erupted across the country, and will set out new social guidelines and business practices to prevent any resurgence.
Pompeo blames China for hundreds of thousands of virus deaths, denies inconsistency
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday renewed his aggressive criticism of China, blaming it for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people from the coronavirus and demanding again that it share information about the outbreak.
Netherlands to begin phased easing of lockdown Monday: broadcaster
The Netherlands will begin a phased easing of its almost two-month-old coronavirus lockdown on Monday, according to a report by the national broadcaster NOS.
