WORLD

Houston, United States | AFP |  All it took was one little call to spur Tom Banning into action, undertaking a giant mission across a very large state — distributing 525,000 masks to health care providers around Texas, a sprawling landmass roughly the size of France. In mid-March, amid the emerging …

Washington, United States | AFP | The world’s governments on Tuesday grappled with how and when to lift sweeping coronavirus lockdowns that have saved lives but crippled their economies, as experts warned of a dire once-in-a-century global recession. The deadly pandemic has already killed more than 120,000 people and infected close …

Washington, United States | AFP | Barack Obama endorsed Joe Biden’s White House bid on Tuesday, saying his longtime vice president can unify and “heal” a nation struggling through some of its darkest moments. The formal backing by perhaps the most popular politician in America is the latest boost for Biden’s …

Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump was accused Tuesday of seeking king-like powers ahead of unveiling a task force for reopening the US economy despite fears in hard-hit states that he will rush the decision. Facing a tough reelection in November, the Republican president is eager to …

Brasília, Brazil | AFP | A 99-year-old World War II veteran in Brazil was released from hospital with military honors Tuesday after recovering from COVID-19. Second Lieutenant Ermando Piveta, who served in the Brazilian artillery in Africa during World War II, was brought out of the Armed Forces Hospital in Brasilia to a burst of …

  Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump announced Tuesday a suspension of US funding to the World Health Organization because he said it had covered up the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak in China before it spread around the world. Trump told a press conference he was …

Washington, United States | AFP | The coronavirus pandemic is pushing the global economy into its deepest recession in a century, cutting world output by three percent this year, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday. If the virus is contained and economies can begin operating again, 2021 should see a rebound …

Beijing, China | AFP | US chain McDonald’s has apologised after a sign telling black people they were banned from entering a branch in southern China prompted outrage online, following reports of discriminatory treatment towards Africans in the city. Tensions have flared between police and Africans in the southern metropolis of …

Sydney, Australia | AFP | Australian Cardinal George Pell, released from prison last week after a court overturned his child sex conviction, was warned by police Tuesday of online threats against him, as new abuse allegations also emerged. Pell walked free last week after the Australian High Court cleared him …

Just after 1230 GMT, gold rallied to $1,731.25 an ounce on the London Bullion Market, striking a peak last seen in November 2012. The dollar slid against main rivals Tuesday in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s ongoing stimulus policies that are aimed at cushioning the blow to the world’s …