EU nears deal on coronavirus package as Germany puts its foot down
Prospects for a European Union deal on a package to support its coronavirus-battered economies brightened on Thursday as Germany put its foot down to end opposition from the Netherlands and to reassure Italy that the EU would show it solidarity.
France more than doubles crisis package cost to 100 billion euros
The French government on Thursday more than doubled the expected cost of its coronavirus crisis measures to cope with the worst recession since at least World War Two, pushing the budget deficit and national debt to record levels.
Belgian doctor feels coronavirus lows and highs as neighbors step away, but then applaud
Belgian doctor Elisabeth Lenoir is always careful to respect social distancing rules when she goes jogging after work in the village where she lives.
Thais queue for booze before 10-day alcohol ban in Bangkok
People queued to buy wine, beer and spirits in Bangkok on Thursday after the Thai capital announced a 10-day ban on alcohol sales to try to limit social activities before the traditional new year and curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Saudi-led ceasefire in Yemen begins, lifting hopes for peace
A nationwide ceasefire in response to the global coronavirus outbreak went into effect in Yemen on Thursday, raising hope for an end to the five-year-old war that has pushed millions to the brink of famine.
Some African countries heading for coronavirus peak in weeks: WHO
Some African countries could see a peak in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks and testing should be urgently increased in the region, World Health Organization officials said on Thursday.
Canada expects coronavirus deaths to soar; job losses hit 1 million
Canada’s coronavirus death toll is set to soar from more than 500 currently to as high as 22,000 by the end of the pandemic, health officials said on Thursday, while the economy lost a record 1 million jobs last month.
India says lockdown has spared it from overwhelming number of coronavirus cases
The Indian government on Thursday claimed initial success in its fight against the coronavirus epidemic, saying it would have been hit with 820,000 cases by next week had it not imposed a nationwide lockdown.
Belgian doctor feels coronavirus lows and highs as neighbours step away, but then applaud
Belgian doctor Elisabeth Lenoir is always careful to respect social distancing rules when she goes jogging after work in the village where she lives.
Italy government wins Senate confidence vote on decree to help virus-hit economy
The Italian government on Thursday won a confidence vote in the Senate on an emergency decree that lays out measures worth 25 billion euros ($28 billion) to support the economy battered by a severe COVID-19 outbreak.
