French lockdown helped slow coronavirus but too soon to lift it, PM says
France’s lockdown, in place for more than three weeks, has helped contain the spread of the new coronavirus but the time to lift the restrictions has not yet come, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Wednesday.
Syrian air force behind chemical attacks, investigation team finds
Syrian Arab Air Force pilots flying Sukhoi Su-22 military planes and a helicopter dropped bombs containing poisonous chlorine and sarin nerve gas on a village in the country’s western Hama region in March 2017, a new team at the global chemical weapons…
Ireland’s Fine Gael and Fianna Fail near deal, seek third ruling partner
Ireland’s Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will publish an agreement in the next day or so aimed at attracting enough additional support to form a government two months after an inconclusive election, senior members of both parties said on Wednesday.
Spain’s coronavirus deaths pass 14,500, but real toll may be bigger
Spain’s official coronavirus death toll edged higher again on Wednesday, but questions persisted over the veracity of numbers and the main business lobby warned the economy may slump up to 9% this year.
Somalia has registered first death from coronavirus: health minister
Somalia said on Wednesday it had registered its first death from coronavirus, the Horn of African country’s health minister said without giving details about the patient.
Refugees in eastern Germany sew coronavirus face masks for pensioners
Refugees in the eastern German town of Jueterbog are sewing face masks for pensioners in a retirement home that has a shortage of facial coverings for elderly residents at heightened risk of coronavirus infection.
For Brazil’s homeless, many risks, and now also the coronavirus
Despite the coronavirus outbreak in Brazil, Luiz Renato Ribeiro Júnior, who is homeless, still tries to sell candy every day in Sao Paulo, Latin America’s largest city. But lockdown policies put in place last month have made it harder for him to earn money.
Pope condemns those trying to make quick buck off coronavirus
Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned people he said were exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to turn a quick profit and decried the “hypocrisy” of how some politicians are dealing with the crisis.
EU must keep pressure on Hungary, Poland on rule of law: French official
The European Commission must keep putting political pressure on Hungary and Poland regarding the rule of law in both countries, a French official said on Wednesday, adding that financial pressure could be brought to bear on them as well.
Put holiday homes on hold, Irish police warn wannabe weekenders
Ireland’s police chief told people who broke coronavirus containment rules to travel to a holiday home that they must stay put until the restrictions are lifted, in a warning to others not to be tempted.
