Russian church leader tours Moscow with holy icon to halt coronavirus
Patriarch Kirill, the head of Russia’s influential Orthodox Church, drove a holy icon around the streets of Moscow in a procession of cars on Friday, as the country fights to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro turns to prayer in coronavirus crisis
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, agreeing to a request from evangelical Christians, said on Friday that he was calling for a national day of fasting and prayer this Sunday to “free Brazil from this evil” coronavirus epidemic.
With over a million coronavirus cases, economic freefall looms
Global cases of the new coronavirus have shot past 1 million with more than 53,000 fatalities, a Reuters tally showed on Friday, as death tolls soared in the United States and western Europe while the world economy nosedived.
French coronavirus cases jump above China’s after including nursing home tally
The number of people who have died from the COVID-19 illness in France jumped by 61% to 6,507 over two days after data from nursing homes were included, and confirmed cases jumped by 44% to 82,165, the health ministry reported on Friday, making France …
U.S. coronavirus supply spree sparks outrage among allies
From Europe to South America, U.S. allies are complaining about the superpower’s “Wild West” tactics in outbidding or blocking shipments to buyers who have already signed deals for vital medical supplies.
Brazilians scorn Bolsonaro’s coronavirus efforts, back health officials: polls
Brazilians increasingly disapprove of President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak, and overwhelmingly support governors and health officials he has attacked for advocating social-distancing measures, two polls showed on Friday.
Falkland Islands reports first case of the coronavirus
Falkland Islands has confirmed the island territory’s first case of the coronavirus, the government said in a statement https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1246169936105541632 on Friday.
In Communist-run Cuba, the private sector helps the needy as coronavirus spreads
Upmarket restaurants are delivering free meals to the elderly, while a fashion firm donates face masks. A business consultancy calls on its clients to donate hygiene products and artisanal soap shops gift their wares to low income households.
African migrants in Morocco wait for aid as coronavirus bites
Thousands of African migrants without revenue during Morocco’s coronavirus lockdown could run out of money for food and essentials, and rights groups have urged the government to offer them the same cash help it has promised to citizens.
Jordan’s nationwide curfew brings country to standstill
Jordan confined its 10 million inhabitants to their homes in a sweeping one-day curfew on Friday that brought public life to a complete stop in a stepped-up bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus, witnesses and officials said.
