Seoul, South Korea | AFP | Nearly three weeks after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s no-show at a key event sparked rumours he was seriously ill or even dead, state media published photos Saturday showing him in public. Kim’s conspicuous absence from the April 15 celebrations for the birthday of …
Read More »US states loosen lockdowns as virus drug approved
Washington, United States | AFP | More US states eased pandemic lockdown measures on Friday even as coronavirus deaths rose, while American authorities greenlighted an experimental drug for emergency use on patients. Washington also renewed its warnings to Beijing a day after President Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs on China, …
Read More »WHO wants invite to China’s probe into virus origins
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The World Health Organization said Friday it hoped China would invite it to take part in its investigations into the animal origins of the novel coronavirus. “WHO would be keen to work with international partners and at the invitation of the Chinese government to participate in …
Read More »Trump says evidence ties China lab to virus, threatens tariffs
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened China with fresh tariffs as he stepped up his attacks on Beijing over the coronavirus crisis, saying he had seen evidence linking a Wuhan lab to the contagion. The diatribe from the Republican incumbent came as data showed …
Read More »US, China block UN resolution in spat over WHO handling of pandemic
United Nations, United States | AFP | The United States and China remained at loggerheads Thursday over a UN Security Council draft resolution calling for a 90-day humanitarian pause in conflicts worldwide in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The stalemate — over a mention of the World Health Organization — …
Read More »Biden under pressure to address sexual assault allegation
Washington, United States | AFP | Presidential hopeful Joe Biden said Wednesday he has a proud history of campaigning against sexual violence, as he faces mounting pressure to respond to an assault allegation made by a former aide. The presumptive Democratic nominee has been accused by Tara Reade of assaulting her …
Read More »US GDP contracts 4.8% as virus hit, ends decade of growth
Washington, United States | AFP | The decade of US economic expansion ended dramatically in the first quarter when GDP shrank 4.8 percent as the coronavirus hit, according to government data released Wednesday. It was the biggest decline in GDP in 12 years as the pandemic forced businesses to …
Read More »US govt reveals details of sunlight study on virus
Washington, United States | AFP | The US Department of Homeland Security revealed to AFP on Tuesday new technical details regarding its highly anticipated study into how ultraviolet radiation destroys the new coronavirus, saying that its experiment had accurately mimicked natural sunlight. A summary of the research was presented last week …
Read More »US registers millionth case as pandemic lockdowns ease
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States on Tuesday recorded its one-millionth coronavirus case as countries including Spain, Russia and Nigeria took tentative steps back towards normal life by preparing to reopen some businesses. Excitement over partial easing of the lockdowns affecting more than half of humanity has been tempered …
Read More »Trump appears to confirm that NKorea’s Kim is alive
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Monday appeared to confirm that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is alive, saying he wished him well after days of speculation over the dictator’s whereabouts. Asked if he had new information about Kim’s health, Trump said “yes, I do have a very good …
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