Factbox: Highlights of Canada’s C$27 billion aid to fight coronavirus outbreak
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday said his government would provide C$27 billion ($18.6 billion) in support directly to families and businesses struggling because of the coronavirus outbreak, and stands ready to do more.
Panic buying forces British supermarkets to ration food
Britain’s biggest supermarkets, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, limited purchases of all food products on Wednesday after frantic shoppers stripped shelves to prepare for possible isolation during the coronavirus outbreak.
Pakistan confirms first death from coronavirus – minister
Pakistan on Wednesday confirmed its first death from coronavirus as the total number of infected patients in the country climbed to 260, the health minister said on Twitter.
U.S. blacklists Chinese, South African companies over Iran oil trade
The United States on Wednesday identified seven companies that it has blacklisted for trade in Iranian petrochemicals – three based in mainland China, three in Hong Kong and one in South Africa – the State Department said in a statement.
North Macedonia declares state of emergency over coronavirus outbreak
North Macedonia has declared a state of emergency as it tries to contain the coronavirus, President Stevo Pendarovski said on Wednesday after meeting top government and health officials.
UK workers hit by school closures will need help: CBI
British workers who are unable to keep their jobs due to nationwide school closures announced on Wednesday will need extra help from the government, the Confederation of British Industry said.
Erdogan advises Turks to stay home, acts to boost economy against coronavirus
President Tayyip Erdogan advised Turks on Wednesday not to leave home unless necessary for three weeks and to minimise social contact until the threat of the coronavirus recedes, but he did not tell them to stay away from work.
WHO says testing, tracing must be ‘backbone’ of COVID-19 response
Countries across the world must take a comprehensive approach to fighting the pandemic of COVID-19 disease caused by the new coronavirus and isolate, test and trace as many cases as possible, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
Chile´s Pinera declares 90-day state of catastrophe over coronavirus outbreak
Chilean President Sebastian Pinera on Wednesday declared a 90-day state of catastrophe as cases of the new coronavirus mounted in the nation, giving the government extraordinary powers to restrict freedom of movement and assure food supply and basic se…
Rattled world ‘at war’ with coronavirus as cases pass 200,000
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide were adjusting on Wednesday to unprecedented measures undertaken to battle the coronavirus crisis that is not only killing the old and vulnerable but also threatening prolonged economic misery.
