Swiss coronavirus cases top 10,000, restrictions held in ‘marathon’ fight
Switzerland’s confirmed coronavirus infections jumped to more than 10,000 cases on Thursday, as health officials warned it was too early to lift restrictions on gatherings and border controls aimed at slowing the epidemic.
Magnitude 6.0 earthquake hits 196 km SE of Budta, Philippines: EMSC
An earthquake of 6.0 magnitude struck 196 kilometres southeast of Budta, Philippines, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said on Thursday.
Canada feels U.S. border should remain demilitarized: PM Trudeau
Canada feels that its long undefended border with the United States should remain demilitarized, even as cases of the coronavirus grow rapidly in both nations, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.
Venezuela’s Maduro to face U.S. drug trafficking charges: source
The U.S. government is expected to bring criminal charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and at least a half-dozen other Venezuelan officials on Thursday, accusing them of involvement in drug trafficking, a person familiar with the matter …
UAE orders overnight curfew for deep clean, Gulf coronavirus cases rise
The United Arab Emirates directed most of the public and private sectors to have the majority of staff work from home, and imposed overnight curfews as a temporary measure this weekend for a nationwide disinfection to combat the coronavirus.
Spain extends coronavirus lockdown, in ‘war’ to buy medical supplies
Spain extended its coronavirus lockdown on Thursday and said it was fighting a “real war” over medical supplies to contain the world’s second-highest virus death toll, turning to China for many critical products, where officials reported fraud and mass…
Tehran says missing former U.S. agent left Iran years ago
Tehran said on Thursday that a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran 13 years ago had left the country a long time ago, despite his family saying a day earlier that he had died in Iranian custody.
Armenia reports first death related to coronavirus
A 72-year-old man diagnosed with the coronavirus died in Armenia on Thursday, the Health Ministry’s spokeswoman said, reporting the country’s first death related to the virus.
U.S. imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian individuals, companies: Treasury
The United States has imposed sanctions on 15 Iranian individuals and five companies in Iran under a counter-terrorism program, according to a post on the Treasury web site on Thursday.
Lebanon to impose overnight shutdown to confront coronavirus: minister
Lebanon will begin an overnight shutdown from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., with some exceptions to be announced later, as it steps up measures to combat coronavirus, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad said on Thursday.
