Saudi-led ceasefire in Yemen begins, lifting hopes for peace
A nationwide ceasefire in response to the global coronavirus outbreak went into effect in Yemen on Thursday, raising hope for an end to the five-year-old war that has pushed millions to the brink of famine.
Some African countries heading for coronavirus peak in weeks: WHO
Some African countries could see a peak in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks and testing should be urgently increased in the region, World Health Organization officials said on Thursday.
Canada expects coronavirus deaths to soar; job losses hit 1 million
Canada’s coronavirus death toll is set to soar from more than 500 currently to as high as 22,000 by the end of the pandemic, health officials said on Thursday, while the economy lost a record 1 million jobs last month.
India says lockdown has spared it from overwhelming number of coronavirus cases
The Indian government on Thursday claimed initial success in its fight against the coronavirus epidemic, saying it would have been hit with 820,000 cases by next week had it not imposed a nationwide lockdown.
Belgian doctor feels coronavirus lows and highs as neighbours step away, but then applaud
Belgian doctor Elisabeth Lenoir is always careful to respect social distancing rules when she goes jogging after work in the village where she lives.
Italy government wins Senate confidence vote on decree to help virus-hit economy
The Italian government on Thursday won a confidence vote in the Senate on an emergency decree that lays out measures worth 25 billion euros ($28 billion) to support the economy battered by a severe COVID-19 outbreak.
Spanish lockdown likely into May, though coronavirus deaths slow
Spain’s prime minister warned on Thursday that nationwide confinement would likely last until May even though he said the worst should soon be over as the death toll slowed from one of the world’s most devastating coronavirus’ outbreaks.
Europe could fall, Italy warns as divided EU seeks coronavirus rescue deal
The European Union faces an existential threat if it cannot come together to combat the coronavirus crisis, Italy said on Thursday as the divided bloc sought to salvage talks on a rescue package to aid battered economies.
Turkey’s fight against coronavirus fails to heal divisions, opponents say
President Tayyip Erdogan has evoked Turkey’s war of independence in calls for unity against the coronavirus, but opposition parties say their exclusion from fund-raising efforts and the detention of government critics is instead fuelling division.
Passover in Israel looks like Yom Kippur – roads empty due to coronavirus
Israel’s highways, intersections and back streets were deserted during Passover on Thursday, as coronavirus restrictions and a holiday curfew left the country looking more like Yom Kippur, when almost all road traffic stops.
