International

• Thursday, April 16th 2020 - 08:20 UTC

  Beijing's lockdown ahead of a possible resurgence of coronavirus infection

  

  Beijing has virtually walled itself off to outsiders with drastic measures to protect China's seat of power against the threat of a second wave of coronavirus infections from other regions. After largely getting the outbreak under control, China has banned foreigners from entering the country as authorities fret over an increase in cases imported from abroad - though most have been Chinese citizens.

• Thursday, April 16th 2020 - 07:43 UTC

  Two McDonald's employees file US$ 500 million class action lawsuit for “systemic sexual harassment”

  

  Two McDonald's employees in Florida have filed a US$500 million class-action lawsuit, accusing the fast-food giant of fostering “systemic sexual harassment”. Jamelia Fairley and Ashley Reddick are named on behalf of some 5,000 women from over 100 US McDonald's outlets.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 13:55 UTC

  Brazilian agri-business exploring and confirming new markets

  

  Brazilian agriculture continues to penetrate the international market further. The month of March was marked by the opening of new markets for Brazilian products and the expansion of sales in other locations. Egypt, for example, has enabled 42 Brazilian establishments to supply meat – 27 for poultry and 15 for beef – in addition to the renewal of licenses for 95 companies – 82 for beef and 13 for poultry.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 12:48 UTC

  A 99 year old Brazilian WW2 veteran released from hospital after “defeating” COVID-19

  

  A 99-year-old World War II veteran in Brazil was released from the hospital with military honors on 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 trumpet music and applause.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 10:55 UTC

  Second humanitarian corridor for Greg Mortimer's passengers will depart this Wednesday

  

  The Uruguayan government announced on Tuesday that it will evacuate the remaining passengers on the Antarctic cruise ship Greg Mortimer through a second humanitarian corridor. There will be about 15 passengers who have remained in the ship anchored in front of the port of Montevideo, where there are people with the COVID-19 disease.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 10:54 UTC

  Greg Mortimer: Climate delays evacuation of passengers from Australian cruise stranded in Montevideo

  

  The last passengers residing on an Australian ocean liner, anchored off Montevideo for more than two weeks with cases of COVID-19 on board, will be evacuated to the United States by a medical chartered flight, announced on Tuesday the American embassy in Uruguay.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 10:04 UTC

  US will hold nations and individuals responsible for the pandemics accountable, announces Pompeo

  

  The United States is seeking to “fundamentally change” the World Health Organization, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday after Washington decided to withhold contributions during the coronavirus pandemic. The United States is the top donor to the WHO, offering US$400 million last year.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 10:02 UTC

  IMF approves immediate debt relief for 25 of the poorest country members

  

  IMF Managing Director Ms. Kristalina Georgieva announced that the Executive Board approved immediate debt service relief to 25 of the IMF’s member countries under the IMF’s revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) as part of the Fund’s response to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2020 - 09:40 UTC

  Morrisons supermarkets gives NHS workers a 10% discount support

  

  Morrisons, Britain's fourth-biggest supermarket group, said it is giving National Health Service (NHS) workers a 10% discount to support them through the coronavirus crisis. It is the first of Britain's 'Big Four' to give a monetary discount to 1.5 million NHS workers, who have already been offered priority shopping hours by market leader Tesco, Sainsbury's, Walmart owned Asda and Morrisons.

• 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.