U.S. not at Geneva meet, but says it will lead on ‘global health matters’
The U.S. mission in Geneva said on Friday that although the United States did not participate in a meeting of world leaders on the coronavirus outbreak there was “no doubt about our continuing determination to lead on global health matters”.
Dancing in the streets: Ballet stars perform in empty Amsterdam
Six dancers from the Dutch National Ballet headed out into the empty streets of Amsterdam this week to perform their parts in a piece of choreography inspired by the coronavirus lockdown.
Honeymoon over, Spain’s fragile coalition tested by pandemic politics
Spain’s Socialist-led government marked its first 100 days in power this week by passing an emergency decree with the help of its eternal adversary the conservative People’s Party.
‘Toughest over’: Spain’s daily coronavirus deaths lowest in a month
Spain’s daily coronavirus deaths fell to the lowest in more than a month on Friday, prompting the government to declare the most acute phase of the epidemic was over as it prepared criteria to ease one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns.
Factbox: Global reaction to WHO coronavirus initiative
Global leaders joined the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday to launch an initiative to accelerate work on drugs, tests and vaccines against COVID-19 and to share them around the world.
World must ensure equal access for all to COVID-19 vaccines, drugs: WHO
All new vaccines, diagnostics and treatments against the new coronavirus must be made equally available to everyone worldwide, the World Health Organization said on Friday as it outlined a plan to accelerate work to fight COVID-19.
Sweden to shut bars and restaurants that ignore coronavirus restrictions
Sweden warned on Friday it would shut restaurants and bars in the capital that did not comply with guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus, amid signs Stockholm residents were beginning to ignore the rules.
U.S. sending ventilators to Ecuador, Indonesia: Trump
The United States will send ventilators to Ecuador and Indonesia, President Donald Trump said on Twitter on Friday after he spoke to the leaders of both countries.
French public to get reusable textile masks for coronavirus protection
The French public will be provided millions of washable face masks from early May, the government said on Friday amid a row over its flip-flopping on the value of masks in protecting against coronavirus infection.
Britain set tight EU talks limit but is not moving: Barnier
Britain is failing to move in talks on its future relationship with the European Union despite setting a tight timetable, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator said on Friday.
