France’s Macron offers bailout for culture workers
French president Emmanuel Macron promised guaranteed stipends for out-of-work actors and money for filmmakers whose productions have been cancelled, as part of a bailout for an arts industry shut down by the coronavirus.
Pompeo again blasts China over coronavirus, denies inconsistency
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday renewed his aggressive criticism of China over its handling of the coronavirus, saying it could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives and spared the world an economic downturn if it had been more tra…
Strong Indonesia undersea quake causes panic, no tsunami risk
A powerful earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Wednesday, causing some residents to flee their homes, but there were no immediate reports of damage and the country’s meteorology agency ruled out the risk of a tsunami.
Bahrain eases coronavirus restrictions, Saudis announce hefty fines
Shops and industrial enterprises in Bahrain can open from Thursday while restaurants will stay closed to in-house diners, the Health Ministry said, as the Gulf state eases restrictions designed to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
Belgium to open shops and allow Mother’s Day meetings
Belgian shops will be allowed to open from Monday and people will be able to host others at their homes from Sunday, opening the door for Mother’s Day celebrations, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes said on Wednesday.
Switzerland seeks medical furlough extension of American detained by Iran: Pompeo
Switzerland, which represents the United States in Iran, has asked Tehran to extend the medical furlough from detention of U.S. Navy veteran Michael White, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday, as the coronavirus continues spreading.
Israel plans thousands of new settler homes ahead of Pompeo visit
Israel announced a plan for thousands of new Jewish settlement homes in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday as Washington voiced readiness to back de facto Israeli annexations there.
Yemen reports first three coronavirus cases, one death in Lahaj province
Yemen on Wednesday reported the first three cases of the novel coronavirus in the southern province of Lahaj, one of whom has died, and another infection in the southern port of Aden.
Denmark to ease curbs on restaurants, retail business in second reopening phase: PM
Denmark’s government hopes to be able allow retail businesses, restaurants and cafes to open in the second phase of the Nordic country’s reopening strategy, the Danish prime minister said on Wednesday according to the Ritzau news agency.
Staff from coronavirus-hit Russian Novatek site to live on cruise ship
A cruise ship has arrived in Russia’s northwesterly Murmansk region to accommodate healthy staff from a construction site run by the gas company Novatek, one of Russia’s coronavirus hotspots, a local crisis centre said.
