South African union takes government to court over COVID-19 gear shortage
South Africa’s main health workers’ union planned to challenge the government in court on Tuesday over shortages of protective gear for frontline staff as the country braced for a surge in new coronavirus cases.
Norway to ease curbs ‘little by little’ after coronavirus lockdown: PM
Norway, one of the first European countries to curb activities to rein in the spread of the coronavirus, will relax restrictions “little by little”, the prime minister said on Tuesday.
Indonesian capital Jakarta to close schools, workplaces to curb coronavirus outbreak
Authorities in the Indonesian capital Jakarta will impose large-scale social restrictions including closures of schools and workplaces to curb the spread of the new coronavirus in the hardest hit area of the country.
Pompeo says Afghanistan peace progress made since his March 23 Kabul visit
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday said a U.S.-led Afghanistan peacemaking drive has seen progress since he visited Kabul last month to persuade the Afghan president and his main political foe to end their leadership feud.
Israel seeks immediate resumption of talks on citizens held in Gaza
Israel called on Tuesday for the immediate resumption of indirect talks on the return of two Israeli civilians and the remains of two soldiers held for years in Gaza, but the territory’s Islamist rulers Hamas dismissed the overture.
Impossible dilemma? World watches Italy as businesses plead to return to work
Many Italian companies and academics are pressing the government to reopen factories to prevent an economic catastrophe, as the world watches how the first Western country to impose a lockdown can extricate itself from the unprecedented measures.
Notre-Dame Cathedral to hold small Good Friday mass amid France’s coronavirus lockdown
A small congregation of worshippers will celebrate Good Friday mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a year after it was devastated by fire, but attendance will be limited because of a lockdown during the coronavirus outbreak.
Spain’s coronavirus deaths near 14,000 as pace ticks up again
The pace of coronavirus deaths in Spain ticked up for the first time in five days on Tuesday, with 743 people succumbing overnight, but there was still hope the national lockdown might be eased soon.
France’s Macron to address nation on Thursday on coronavirus crisis: French radio
French President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation regarding the new coronavirus situation on Thursday evening, French Europe 1 radio reported on Tuesday.
Swiss urge public to stick to anti-virus measures over Easter
Switzerland’s president called on the public to stick with emergency measures designed to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, saying on Tuesday the country remains “very far from normal” ahead of the long Easter weekend.
