Dakar, Senegal | AFP | A Senegal judge has granted Chad’s former dictator Hissene Habre two months’ leave from prison, where he is serving life for crimes against humanity, as the jail is being used to hold new detainees in coronavirus quarantine. Habre, who ruled Chad from 1982 to 1990, was …
Read More »World short of six million nurses, WHO says
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | As COVID-19 captures global headlines, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Tuesday that the world needs nearly six million nurses. The UN’s health agency along with partners Nursing Now and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) underscored in a report the crucial role played by nurses, …
Read More »US begins blood tests for coronavirus immunity: reports
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States has begun taking blood samples from across the country to determine the true number of people infected with the coronavirus, using a test that works retrospectively, according to reports. The new tests are based on serological surveys, which differ from the nasal swabs used to determine …
Read More »Trump, Biden finally bury hatchet to talk on coronavirus
Washington, United States | AFP | Democrat Joe Biden and President Donald Trump finally spoke by phone Monday, both sides confirmed, ending days of teasing and squabbling between the presidential election rivals to discuss the national coronavirus upheaval. The call marked a rare moment of unity for the country seven months before election day and …
Read More »Tale of two cities: How virus lockdown has exposed France’s class divide
Paris, France | AFP | When bestselling French novelist Leila Slimani — the author of “The Perfect Nanny” — admitted that she felt “a little like Sleeping Beauty” contemplating the coronavirus lockdown from the comfort of her country home, she hit a very raw nerve. Class tensions — never very far …
Read More »Spain says virus deaths down for 4th day
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Spain declared Monday a fourth consecutive drop in the number of coronavirus-related deaths with 637 over the past 24 hours, the lowest number in nearly two weeks. Fatalities, which were sharply down on the record 950 on Thursday, brought the total deaths in the country to 13,055, second only to …
Read More »Thousands sign French call for chloroquine in virus fight
Paris, France | AFP | More than 215,000 people have signed a petition urging French officials to let more doctors prescribe the anti-malaria drug chloroquine for coronavirus patients, a controversial proposal that has divided health experts worldwide. Support for the treatment has gained ground as doctors try to keep the COVID-19 …
Read More »Virus tide turns in Europe as US girds for ‘Pearl Harbor’ moment
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Europe’s hardest-hit nations saw some tentative signs of hope in the fight against the coronavirus Monday but the United States braced for its “Pearl Harbor moment” as the country’s death toll raced towards 10,000. The virus has infected virtually every corner of the planet, confining …
Read More »UK PM ‘still in charge’ while in hospital with coronavirus
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent the night in hospital after being admitted for tests following 10 days of persistent symptoms of coronavirus, but the government insisted Monday he remained in charge. The Conservative leader announced on March 27 that he had tested positive for COVID-19, and has been …
Read More »Oil prices fall as doubts grow over output cut deal
Singapore, Singapore | AFP | Oil prices fell sharply Monday after a meeting to discuss output cuts between OPEC and its allies was delayed, dimming hopes of swift action to support coronavirus-ravaged energy markets. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate plunged eight percent at the open in Asia but clawed back some ground and was trading …
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