African Union envoy says virus outbreak would be a disaster for Africa
African Union (AU) special envoy Tidjane Thiam on Thursday said a widespread outbreak of the new coronavirus in Africa would be a disaster for the continent.
Spain sorry for mix-up over kids as study sheds lights on virus spread
Spain’s government apologised for causing confusion over new lockdown rules for children on Thursday, while a scientific study suggested the new coronavirus may have been circulating among the population longer than previously thought.
Iranian satellite launch inconsistent with civilian uses: U.S. official
The United States believes an Iranian military satellite launch this week was overseen by a high-ranking commander involved in past attacks on American targets, a senior administration official said on Thursday.
European firms step up COVID-19 vaccines work, UK team starts human trials
Scientists in Britain began clinical trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday as other vaccine developers across Europe also stepped up work on experimental shots against the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Lisbon zoo animals feel keepers’ love while public away
Wearing a mask and other protective gear, a zookeeper at Portugal’s biggest zoo feeds a mob of energetic meerkats, including a few newborns – but the usual excited onlookers are nowhere to be seen.
Fourteen Congo separatists killed in clashes with police, locals
Fourteen members of a religious sect aiming to revive the pre-colonial Kongo kingdom died during clashes with the police and locals in western Democratic Republic of Congo, the interior ministry said on Thursday.
Austrian ski resort tainted by coronavirus wants less ‘party tourism’
The Alpine ski resort of Ischgl, at the centre of Austria’s biggest cluster of coronavirus infections, said on Thursday it wants to move away from “party tourism” as it emerged from more than a month under quarantine.
‘Don’t give up’, French virus survivor tells others fighting disease
On April 5, 61-year-old Mang Phother felt his breathing getting worse and worse. Two days later he was rushed to a hospital in Paris’ northern suburbs and found himself battling COVID-19 from an intensive care bed.
U.S. extends economic aid to Greenland to counter China, Russia in Arctic
The United States announced a $12.1 million economic aid package for Greenland on Thursday aimed at strengthening mutual ties and boost a renewed U.S. push for a greater military presence in the Arctic.
Fearing new virus wave, France refines end of lockdown plans
France offered retailers some relief on Thursday, saying it wanted them to reopen when a nationwide lockdown ends on May 11, though some curbs could remain in certain areas to delay a new wave of the coronavirus.
