Uzbekistan asks rights groups to lift cotton boycott
Uzbekistan on Thursday asked a coalition of human rights groups, the Cotton Campaign, to end a boycott of Uzbek cotton and textiles so that the Central Asian nation could boost export revenue and create jobs at a time of a global recession.
Captain Tom, 99, raises $8 million with walk in his UK garden
A 99-year-old war veteran has become a celebrity by raising at least 6.4 million pounds ($8 million) for Britain’s health service with a walk around his garden in the coronavirus crisis.
Notre-Dame’s great bell tolls once more on anniversary of fire
A year on from the inferno that gutted Notre-Dame de Paris, the cathedral’s great bell rang out across the capital on Wednesday in a tribute to the Gothic landmark’s resilience and to the medics battling the coronavirus epidemic.
Outraged French lawmakers demand answers on ‘fake’ Chinese embassy accusations
A diplomatic spat between France and China widened on Wednesday as members of the French Senate demanded answers at a hearing with the foreign minister as to why an article they said was fake and cast them in a bad light was still up on the Chinese emb…
After Trump halt to WHO funds, U.S. could redirect money to aid groups: officials
The United States could redirect to other international aid groups some $400 million it would have paid the World Health Organization this year, senior Trump administration officials said on Wednesday after President Donald Trump halted funding for the…
UK virus outbreak ‘probably’ peaking, but too soon to ease lockdown
Britain’s coronavirus outbreak is probably peaking, but it is too early to start relaxing restrictions, officials said as critics warned that the country may end up with the worst death rate in Europe due to government failings.
Polish MPs debate tighter abortion rules, protests muted amid coronavirus
Polish lawmakers debated a citizens’ bill on Wednesday to tighten already restrictive abortion rules as rights activists protested on social media and in small clusters in front of parliament, with public gatherings restricted by the coronavirus.
French coronavirus death toll rises, intensive care numbers down
The number of people who died in France from the coronavirus infection in hospitals and nursing homes reached 17,167 on Wednesday, the head of the public health authority said.
‘It’s Covid! Stay away!’ Latin America’s health workers face rising hostility
Shoved to the ground, splashed with bleach or glared at on public transportation, health workers face a growing tide of hostility across Latin America for potentially spreading COVID-19.
Germany edges out of lockdown with partial opening of shops, schools
Germany has achieved a “fragile intermediate success” in its the fight against the coronavirus and will take small steps out of lockdown with the partial reopening of shops next week and schools from May 4, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.
