Italy’s economy minister hopes ECB will support Rome’s anti-coronavirus measures
Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri on Wednesday said he expected the European Central Bank to support Italy as the government prepared a raft of measures to counter the impact of the coronavirus on businesses and citizens.
Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian teen during West Bank protest, Palestinian ministry says
Israeli troops killed a Palestinian teenager in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday during a protest against feared Israeli land confiscation, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
Malaysia tracking 5,000 people possibly exposed to coronavirus at religious event
Malaysian authorities are tracking around 5,000 citizens across the country believed to have been potentially exposed to the coronavirus at a religious event in the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
What you need to know about the coronavirus today
Here are today’s developments on the coronavirus epidemic:
Swiss keep border to Italy open, route traffic over main crossings
Switzerland is closing nine secondary border crossings to Italy and directing traffic over main routes to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus while still letting the region’s workers get to their jobs, the government said on Wednesday.
Most people will get the coronavirus, aim is to slow its spread: Merkel
Up to 70% of the population is likely to be infected with the coronavirus that is currently spreading around the world, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, adding that since there was currently no cure the focus had to be on slowing its spread.
Responding to U.S., Iran frets for jailed citizens amid coronavirus
Iran expressed concern on Wednesday about the health of imprisoned Iranians in the United States amid the coronavirus outbreak, a day after Washington called on Tehran to free detained Americans.
Iran’s coronavirus death toll rises to 354: ministry
Iran’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak reached 354, a rise of 63 in the past 24 hours, a health ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.
Italy to ramp up spending on coronavirus, further restrictions possible
Italy will ramp up spending to help the economy cope with the impact of the coronavirus, earmarking 25 billion euros ($28.3 billion) to tackle the growing crisis, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Wednesday.
U.S. farmers still dependent on trade aid after China deal
As U.S. President Donald Trump touted the signing of a U.S.-China trade deal in January, he told cash-strapped farmers they would soon need bigger tractors and “a little more land” to meet additional Chinese demand for U.S. agricultural goods.
