Alberta to launch Canada’s first contact tracing app as economy slowly reopens
The Canadian province of Alberta said on Friday it would soon launch the country’s first phone app to trace contacts of people infected with the coronavirus, as the country slowly restarts its economy.
Islamic State claims responsibility for Egypt’s Sinai attack
Islamic State on Friday claimed responsibility for an attack on an Egyptian military vehicle in North Sinai province that killed and wounded several military personnel, the group’s Amaq news agency reported.
Ireland takes small first step in coronavirus escape plan
Ireland on Friday announced the first small steps to easing restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus and laid out a roadmap for a gradual re-opening of the economy from May 18 if the virus can be kept under control.
Second cargo of water trucks from Mexico arrives in Venezuela under oil swap
A vessel carrying water trucks and equipment bartered by two Mexican companies arrived in Venezuela on Thursday, the second shipment under an oil-for-food agreement signed with the OPEC nation’s government, one of the firms told Reuters.
Portuguese workers leave home to celebrate coronavirus-style Labour Day
Hundreds gathered in Portugal’s capital Lisbon on Friday to celebrate Labour Day, observing strict social distancing rules in a smaller-than-usual event to show solidarity with those left jobless due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Canada bans assault-style weapons in aftermath of mass shooting
Canada is banning the sale of military-grade assault weapons in the aftermath of the country’s deadliest mass shooting two weeks ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday.
UK did not change criteria to hit 100,000 tests-per-day goal, adviser says
Britain did not change its criteria for recording coronavirus tests to meet its goal to carry out 100,000 tests per day by the end of April, the adviser in charge of the operation said on Friday.
Britain hits coronavirus testing target as death toll leaps again
Britain has hit its target of carrying out 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day, health minister Matt Hancock said on Friday, stressing that the programme was crucial to helping ease a national lockdown.
WHO says COVID-19 emergency declaration gave world ‘enough time’
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave a robust defence on Friday of his and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “timely” actions in declaring the new coronavirus an international health emergency at the end of January.
Lebanon banking association rejects government rescue plan
Lebanon’s banking association said on Friday it can in “no way” endorse a government economic rescue plan it was not consulted on and which would destroy confidence in Lebanon, deter investment, and hurt any chance for recovery.
