Italy’s coronavirus death toll climbs by 578, new cases continue to slow
Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy rose by 578 on Wednesday, down from 602 the day before, while the number of new cases slowed to 2,667 from a previous 2,972, continuing the recent downward trend.
Poland debates curbs to abortion rights, coronavirus limits protests
Polish lawmakers are to debate a proposal to tighten already restrictive abortion rules on Wednesday, while rights activists protested on social media as coronavirus limits public gatherings.
Trump’s halt to WHO funding prompts condemnation as coronavirus cases near 2 million
U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to halt funding to the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic prompted condemnation on Wednesday from world leaders as recorded global infections approached the 2 million mark.
CDC director says 19-20 U.S. states may be ready to reopen May 1
The director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday he believes 19 or 20 U.S. states have had limited impact from the new coronavirus and their governors believe they may be ready to reopen by President Donald Trump…
Pandemic could trigger social unrest in some countries: IMF
New waves of social unrest could erupt in some countries if government measures to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic are seen as insufficient or unfairly favoring the wealthy, the IMF said in a new report on Wednesday.
Norway PM tells children it will take time for life to return to normal
Prime Minister Erna Solberg told Norwegian children on Wednesday it would take time for life to return to normal with the country, like others in Europe, preparing to reopen parts of society shut down by the coronavirus outbreak.
Brazil health minister says Bolsonaro likely to fire him: sources
Brazilian Health Minister Henrique Mandetta told his team that President Jair Bolsonaro is likely to fire him this week, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, raising the prospect of turmoil in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak.
Kids aren’t coronavirus ‘guinea pigs’: Danish mums rebel as schools reopen
Denmark eased its coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday by reopening schools and day care centres, but concerns they might become breeding grounds for a second wave of cases convinced thousands of parents to keep their children at home.
Factbox: Latest on the spread of the coronavirus around the world
Reported cases of the coronavirus crossed 2 million globally and more than 131,100 people have died, according to a Reuters tally as of 1400 GMT on Wednesday.
Britain was too slow to act on COVID-19, opposition Labour leader says
The leader of Britain’s main opposition party on Wednesday accused the government of being too slow to impose a lockdown when the novel coronavirus first hit the country.
