Saudi Arabia widens travel ban; Kuwait reassures citizens
Saudi Arabia has extended flight bans to the European Union and other countries and Kuwait tried to reassured citizens panicked by its own virtual lockdown, after the number of coronavirus infections shot up in the region.
Eight weeks’ worth of food – but let’s not go crazy, says Sydney resident
Sydney resident Dianne Regan has stockpiled enough food to last her household for eight weeks should the authorities impose a lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
New Zealand attack survivor: slain wife drives with me on road to forgiveness
A year after New Zealand’s deadliest mass shooting, a survivor who became a worldwide symbol of forgiveness says he still feels no anger about the attack, but misses his wife so much he forgets she is gone.
Airline stocks plunge as U.S. puts Europe in coronavirus quarantine
European airline stocks already battered by the coronavirus plunged again on Thursday, as a U.S. travel ban on much of continental Europe deepened the sector’s misery and piled pressure on governments to offer emergency support.
China coronavirus adviser expects global pandemic to be over by June
The global coronavirus pandemic is likely to be over by June, Zhong Nanshan, the Chinese government’s senior medical adviser, said on Thursday.
China says ‘immoral and irresponsible’ U.S. officials shift coronavirus blame
China criticized U.S. officials for “immoral and irresponsible” comments that blamed Beijing’s response to the coronavirus for worsening the global impact of the pandemic.
South Africa reports first case of local transmission of coronavirus
South Africa reported the first case of local transmission of the coronavirus on Thursday, fuelling concerns that sub-Saharan African health systems could be overwhelmed if local transmission accelerates.
Slovenia to close all schools from Monday due to coronavirus
Slovenia plans to close all schools from Monday in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Marjan Sarec said on Thursday.
Iran says it has asked IMF for $5 billion emergency funding to fight coronavirus
Iran has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for emergency funding to help it fight the coronavirus outbreak, which has hit the Islamic Republic hard, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet on Thursday.
Norway may shut several airports, operator says
Norway is considering whether to close down several airports as part of its effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, airport operator Avinor told the public broadcaster NRK on Thursday.
