Trump declares U.S. emergency as coronavirus chaos spreads
U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the quickly spreading coronavirus on Friday, opening the door to more federal aid to combat a disease that has infected over 138,000 people worldwide and left more than 5,000 dead.
Kisses, hugs of greeting endure in Mexico despite virus fears
Mexicans are finding it difficult to shake the habit of greeting friends, family and even strangers with a handshake, hug or kiss on the cheek despite warnings they could spread coronavirus, with the practice on display at a major banking conference.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro, who met with Trump last week, tests negative for coronavirus
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was recently in the United States and met with U.S. President Donald Trump, has tested negative for coronavirus, according to a post on his Facebook page on Friday.
Italy’s coronavirus deaths surge as Lombardy seeks tougher curbs
The death toll from coronavirus in Italy has jumped by 250 in the last 24 hours, the biggest daily increase ever recorded by any country, as the worst-affected Lombardy region asked for a complete shutdown of factories and offices.
Spain declares emergency as coronavirus shuts down parades, schools, shops
Major Spanish regions shut shops, bars and restaurants, car plants ground to a halt and Easter parades were canceled as Spain prepared to enter a 15-day state of emergency on Friday, in a sharp escalation of its fight against the coronavirus.
Embattled Malawi president dissolves cabinet
Malawi President Peter Mutharika dissolved his cabinet on Friday ahead of a possible presidential election in May.
Section of Transandino pipeline destroyed in attack with explosives
An explosion destroyed a section of pipeline in southern Colombia but did not cause an oil spill, Ecopetrol subsidiary Cenit said on Friday.
Denmark shuts its borders for one month to curb spread of coronavirus
Denmark announced on Friday it would shut its borders to most foreign visitors for a month from Saturday, in a move unprecedented in peacetime as part of efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus.
U.S. summoned Chinese ambassador over Beijing’s coronavirus comments, U.S. official says
The U.S. State Department on Friday summoned the Chinese ambassador to the United States to protest against comments by a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman who had suggested the U.S. military might have brought the coronavirus to Wuhan.
China’s coronavirus epicenter reports just five cases; Beijing tomb-sweepers urged to stay back
The Chinese city of Wuhan, ground zero of the coronavirus outbreak, reported just five new cases on Friday, the second day in a row the tally has been less than 10, while no locally transmitted infections were reported in the rest of the country.
