U.S. urges WHO to start review of pandemic response, seeks reforms
The United States called on the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday to begin work immediately on investigating the source of the novel coronavirus, as well as its own handling of the response to the pandemic.
WHO has worked ‘day and night’ on pandemic, funding lags: Tedros tells board
The World Health Organization (WHO) has worked non-stop since the novel coronavirus emerged, informing its 194 member states of its evolution and providing technical advice, its director-general said on Friday.
Plane crashes in Pakistan with 99 on board, many feared dead
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane with 99 passengers and crew crashed into a residential area of the city of Karachi on Friday, with many feared dead, officials said.
Chechen leader Kadyrov in Moscow hospital with suspected coronavirus: Russian news agencies
Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s southern region of Chechnya, is suspected of having contracted the new coronavirus and is receiving treatment in a Moscow hospital, three Russian new agencies reported.
NATO to discuss Open Skies treaty after U.S. announces withdrawal
NATO envoys will discuss the future of the Open Skies treaty on Friday after the United States announced it would quit the 35-nation pact that allows unarmed surveillance flights over member countries, an official of the defence alliance said.
France says regrets U.S. decision to withdraw from Open Skies treaty
France said on Friday it regretted the decision of the United States to plan to withdraw from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries, even though it shared its concern over Russia’s implementation of…
Lebanon’s Berri tells government time for action not words
Lebanon’s powerful parliament speaker said on Friday it was time for government action to help citizens grappling with an economic crisis and this could not wait for the outcome of International Monetary Fund negotiations.
Factbox: China eyes tougher national security regime for Hong Kong
Beijing is set to impose a new national security law on Hong Kong following last year’s often violent anti-China unrest that plunged the city into its deepest turmoil since returning to Chinese rule in 1997.
Brazil’s biggest state brings forward holiday to contain coronavirus spread
Lawmakers in Brazil’s biggest state of Sao Paulo have decided to bring forward to Monday a holiday scheduled for July 9, in an attempt to strengthen social distancing and contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Khashoggi family forgive killers, clearing way to legal reprieve
The family of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Friday that they had forgiven the men who murdered their father, paving the way for a legal reprieve for five defendants sentenced to death for the October 2018 killing.
