WORLD

Washington, United States | AFP |  Retired track star Usain Bolt showed he’s still a few steps ahead when he posted an AFP picture of him outstripping his rivals at the Beijing Olympics with the cheeky caption: “social distancing”. Bolt’s post, featuring a picture by AFP photographer Nicolas Asfouri of …

Washington, United States | AFP | The International Monetary Fund on Monday announced immediate debt relief for 25 poor countries to help them free up funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic. “This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six …

Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has carried out a major reshuffle of his State Affairs Commission, official media reported Monday, replacing more than a third of its members. Kim has established an iron grip on the levers of authority in his nuclear-armed country since …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recuperating Monday at his countryside retreat and remained off work after saying his battle with coronavirus “could have gone either way”. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is currently deputising for him, but the government is set to make a decision …

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis prayed Monday for the growing number of women subjected to domestic abuse while living under coronavirus lockdown. The Argentine pontiff livestreamed an Easter Monday prayer from his private library as the Vatican and Italy entered a second month of restrictions on most outdoor activities. Worries about …

  Washington, United States | AFP | For a follow-up visit after her recent cancer surgery, Gail Rae-Garwood opted for a video consultation with her specialist, avoiding a long journey — and potential exposure to COVID-19 in medical offices. “I am so thankful not to have to go out that I’ve …

New York, United States | AFP | The month of March opened with US unemployment near a 50-year low and concluded with countless companies turning to Washington for help as the coronavirus ravaged the economy. Quarterly earnings season — which kicks off this week with reports from major banks — will …

Vienna, Austria | AFP | Top oil-producing countries agreed on “historic” output cuts to prop up prices hammered by the coronavirus crisis and a Russia-Saudi price war, sending crude prices soaring on Monday. The US benchmark WTI climbed 7.7 percent to $24.52 a barrel in early Asian trade while Brent was …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish thanked fans for their support on Sunday after leaving hospital following a positive test for the coronavirus. Dalglish, 69, found he had the virus after being admitted to hospital on Wednesday for treatment for a separate infection which required intravenous antibiotics. …

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP |  Pope Francis offered a prayer for coronavirus victims in an unprecedented livestream Easter Sunday message delivered from a hauntingly empty Vatican to a world under lockdown. The 83-year-old pontiff spoke softly at a solemn ceremony attended by just a handful of priests and a …