World leaders launch WHO COVID-19 plan, but U.S. not involved
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.
Mortality rates drop sharply in parts of India, bucking coronavirus trend
Parts of India have recorded dramatic falls in the number of deaths at a time when funeral parlours were bracing for a surge amid the coronavirus crisis.
Islam’s holiest sites emptied by coronavirus crisis as Ramadan begins
The holy month of Ramadan began on Friday with Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem largely empty of worshippers as the coronavirus crisis forced authorities to impose unprecedented restrictions.
Lebanon advised to extend coronavirus lockdown to May 10
Lebanon’s government was advised to extend a coronavirus lockdown by two weeks until May 10 on Friday, but the country’s higher defence council said it should gradually restore certain parts of the economy in the coming weeks.
Journalists at Russian business newspaper complain of pro-Kremlin censorship
Journalists at Vedomosti, a prominent Russian business publication, on Thursday accused their editor of imposing pro-Kremlin censorship upon them and suggested the board of directors appoint someone else.
U.S. says will not take part in WHO global drugs, vaccine initiative launch
The United States will not take part in the launching of a global initiative on Friday to speed the development, production and distribution of drugs and vaccines against COVID-19, a spokesman for the U.S. mission in Geneva told Reuters.
Coronavirus can cause extra delirium, but ‘no catastrophe’ in Belgian psychiatric hospital
From serving more fries to patients to engaging them in sewing face masks, Belgian psychiatric hospitals have carefully adapted their routine to comply with coronavirus restrictions.
British PM Johnson still recovering at country residence: spokesman
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues his recovery from COVID-19 at his country residence and any decision to return to work in London will be taken on the advice of his doctors, his spokesman said on Friday.
Italian doctor’s cancer battle helps her bond with coronavirus patients
Marta Gravellone, a young doctor making house calls on coronavirus patients, knew what it was like to be ill and isolated long before the pandemic hit her home in northern Italy.
Britain has set tight deadline, not moving in talks: EU’s Barnier
The clock is ticking even more than before in talks on the future relationship between Britain and the European Union, but Britain is failing to move despite setting a tight timetable, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator said on Friday.
