U.S. to push production of protective gear for coronavirus; new case confirmed in California
The United States will invoke a federal defense law to boost production of masks, gloves, gowns and other items to protect against the new coronavirus, the Trump administration said, as a new case was confirmed in California on Friday.
Global downturn looms as countries struggle to contain coronavirus outbreak
The coronavirus spread further on Friday, with cases reported for the first time in at least six countries across four continents, battering markets and leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise its impact risk alert to “very high.”
Slovaks poised to oust ruling Smer party in election clouded by graft
Voters look poised to oust the centre-left Smer party that has dominated Slovakia’s political landscape for more than a decade in a national election on Saturday overshadowed by anger over high-level graft.
Trump willing to meet leaders of Russia, China, Britain, France on arms control
U.S. President Donald Trump is willing to hold a summit with the leaders of Russia, China, Britain and France – the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council – to discuss arms control, a senior administration official said on Friday.
Guinea delays disputed referendum that could extend veteran Conde’s rule
Guinea’s President Alpha Conde has delayed Sunday’s constitutional referendum and legislative polls for two weeks because of concerns raised by international observers about the electoral roll, he told state television late on Friday.
Explainer: How long can coronavirus survive on surfaces?
As a new coronavirus spreads quickly around the world, U.S. health officials say they are “aggressively” assessing how long it can survive on surfaces to better understand the risk of transmission.
North Korea’s Kim guides military drills, warns ‘serious consequences’ if virus breaks out: KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills on Friday, state media KCNA said, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country.
Bombardment intensifies in Tripoli despite truce
Bombardment of the Libyan capital Tripoli intensified on Friday, residents said, as the United Nations envoy called for a return to a ceasefire agreed last month and eastern forces said they shot down several drones.
U.N. chief: Killing of Turkish troops one of ‘most alarming moments’ of Syria war
U.N. chief Antonio Guterres on Friday described an increase in fighting in northwest Syria that killed dozens of Turkish troops as “one of the most alarming moments” of the nine-year-old war and – along with most U.N. Security Council members – called …
Turkey says it will let refugees into Europe after its troops killed in Syria
Refugees in Turkey headed toward European frontiers on Friday after an official said the borders had been thrown open, a response to the escalating war in Syria where 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government troops.
