In Syria, puppets show displaced children how to deal with coronavirus
Standing in colourful hula hoops carefully spaced to illustrate social distancing, young children in a camp in war-torn Syria give an enthusiastic welcome to a puppet show staged to teach them about the coronavirus.
WHO chief regrets U.S. move to halt funding, urges unity against pandemic
The head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday that he regretted U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pull funding for the agency and called for global unity to fight the new coronavirus pandemic.
Portugal flattens coronavirus curve, but too early to reopen economy
Portugal’s coronavirus curve has flattened but the good news is still not enough for the country to lift lockdown measures and reopen its tourism-dependent, export-oriented economy, government ministers said on Wednesday.
Hard to say why COVID-19 cases not levelling off at same rate across Britain: science adviser
It is hard to say why the number of people in hospital beds with COVID-19 is dropping faster in London than elsewhere in Britain, a government science adviser said on Wednesday.
Police boss says nowhere in northern Mozambique under insurgent control
No parts of Mozambique’s troubled northernmost province are under the control of insurgents, national police commander Bernardino Rafael said on Wednesday.
Jordan will ease lockdown by allowing more businesses to open: PM
Jordan’s Prime Minister Omar al Razzaz said on Wednesday the government would soon ease a tight lockdown imposed to stem the spread of new coronavirus by allowing more businesses and industries to return to work.
Supplies for coronavirus field hospital held up at U.S.-Mexico border
Red tape and rules on importing medical gear have delayed work on a field hospital for migrants in an asylum camp near Mexico’s border with Texas, undercutting efforts to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic, according to organizers of the project.
Moscow hit by queues and jams as coronavirus travel permits brought in
Moscow introduced a travel permit system on Wednesday to help it police a lockdown meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, a move that initially created traffic jams and long queues of people wanting to use the metro.
Germany to extend lockdown until May 3 with some easing: draft
Germany will consider relaxing restrictions next week on shops introduced last month to slow the spread of the coronavirus while keeping social distancing rules in place until May 3, according to a government proposal seen by Reuters.
Brazil health official quits, Bolsonaro expected to fire minister
A senior Brazilian health official resigned on Wednesday as expectations mounted that President Jair Bolsonaro would soon fire his health minister over disagreements on how to handle the coronavirus outbreak spreading across the country.
