International

Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 09:37 UTC
South Korea “breaks” lockdown and goes to the polls for parliamentary election

Temperature checks on voters, separate booths for those with fever, special polling stations for the quarantined: South Koreans headed to the polls on Wednesday with a big turnout expected despite the coronavirus threat.
Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 09:31 UTC
Trump halts funding of WHO over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday halted funding to the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, drawing condemnation from infectious disease experts as the global death toll continued to mount.
Tuesday, April 14th 2020 - 08:20 UTC
“UK not past the virus peak”, so no lifting of lockdown anytime soon, Raab

The British government warned on Monday it would not be lifting a nationwide lockdown anytime soon as the country remains in the grip of a coronavirus outbreak that has claimed more than 11,000 lives.
Tuesday, April 14th 2020 - 07:59 UTC
Macron extends lockdown to curb coronavirus until May 11

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday announced he was extending a lockdown to curb the coronavirus outbreak until May 11, adding that progress had been made but the battle not yet won.
Tuesday, April 14th 2020 - 07:51 UTC
Hopkins University reports over two million coronavirus confirmed cases and 120.000 deaths

The number of coronavirus cases globally spiked to two million on Monday evening. According to Johns Hopkins University, which has been keeping a tally of the number of coronavirus cases around the world, the number of confirmed cases jumped to 2,019,320
Tuesday, April 14th 2020 - 07:48 UTC
Exxon raises US$ 9,5bn to bolster its finances; shares have lost 38%

Exxon Mobil Corp on Monday raised US$ 9.5 billion in new debt, with the largest U.S. oil producer seeking to bolster its finances while debt markets remain open to new deals.
Tuesday, April 14th 2020 - 07:19 UTC
Ex Argentine scrum-half on campaign to become World Rugby chairman

Former Argentina scrum-half Agustin Pichot has launched his campaign to become chairman of World Rugby. Pichot has drawn up a six-point plan to force change in the world of rugby - with one part, in particular, catching the eye of many.
Monday, April 13th 2020 - 12:45 UTC
Europe's largest coffin maker plant in France working overtime

At a factory belonging to Europe's largest coffin maker, OGF, in eastern France, workers are doing overtime to meet demand from families parting with their loved ones. “Due to the epidemic, we decided to manufacture just four models of coffins that are top sellers with families” compared to the 15 types usually on offer, said factory director Emmanuel Garret.
Monday, April 13th 2020 - 12:18 UTC
Foreigners in India made to write 500 times “I did not follow the rules of lockdown so I am sorry”

Foreigners who broke a coronavirus lockdown in an Indian town made famous by the Beatles, were forced to repent by writing “I am so sorry” - 500 times, officials said on Sunday. The nationwide lockdown was imposed near the end of March, with residents permitted to leave their homes only for essential services such as buying groceries and medicine.
Monday, April 13th 2020 - 12:14 UTC
Tenor Bocelli performs “The Music for Hope” from Milan's Duomo

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed a solo Easter concert from an empty Milan Cathedral streamed live to millions of people around the world in coronavirus lockdown. “The Music for Hope” performance, which was streamed on YouTube from Milan's Duomo cathedral, has been watched more than 22 million times so far.