Pandemic could trigger social unrest in some countries: IMF
New waves of social unrest could erupt in some countries if government measures to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic are seen as insufficient or unfairly favoring the wealthy, the IMF said in a new report on Wednesday.
Norway PM tells children it will take time for life to return to normal
Prime Minister Erna Solberg told Norwegian children on Wednesday it would take time for life to return to normal with the country, like others in Europe, preparing to reopen parts of society shut down by the coronavirus outbreak.
Brazil health minister says Bolsonaro likely to fire him: sources
Brazilian Health Minister Henrique Mandetta told his team that President Jair Bolsonaro is likely to fire him this week, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, raising the prospect of turmoil in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak.
Kids aren’t coronavirus ‘guinea pigs’: Danish mums rebel as schools reopen
Denmark eased its coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday by reopening schools and day care centres, but concerns they might become breeding grounds for a second wave of cases convinced thousands of parents to keep their children at home.
Britain was too slow to act on COVID-19, opposition Labour leader says
The leader of Britain’s main opposition party on Wednesday accused the government of being too slow to impose a lockdown when the novel coronavirus first hit the country.
Factbox: Latest on the spread of the coronavirus around the world
Reported cases of the coronavirus crossed 2 million globally and more than 131,100 people have died, according to a Reuters tally as of 1400 GMT on Wednesday.
Dutch coronavirus cases rise by 734 to 28,153: authorities
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 734 to 28,153, health authorities said on Wednesday, with 189 new deaths.
Vietnam to extend coronavirus lockdown in 12 provinces for seven days
Vietnam will extend its coronavirus lockdown in 12 provinces, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, for seven days, although restrictions will be lifted in some areas outside of the Southeast Asian country’s main cities, the government said on Wednesda…
Germany to extend coronavirus lockdown until May 3 with some easing: sources
Germany will consider relaxing restrictions next week on shops introduced last month to slow the spread of the coronavirus but extend limits on movement until May 3, several participants in talks between regional and central government said on Wednesda…
Mekong river groups urge China to show transparency after dam report
Groups working to protect the Mekong River have called for greater transparency and cooperation from China after a report that Chinese dams held back water during a damaging drought in downstream countries last year.
