WORLD

Paris, France | AFP | Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: – US Senate passes huge rescue package – The US Senate unanimously approves the nation’s largest-ever rescue package, a $2 trillion lifeline to suffering Americans, depleted hospitals and an economy ravaged by the pandemic. The measure must …

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis was reported Thursday to have tested negative for the novel coronavirus after a person in his residence was said to have contacted COVID-19. Several Italian newspapers with reputable sources in the Vatican said the Italian clergyman who got sick had lived for …

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP |  Leaders of the G20 major economies will hold an online summit Thursday in a bid to fend off a coronavirus-triggered recession, after criticism the group has been slow to address the crisis. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will join the emergency …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  Gold, prized by investors in times of crisis as a safe haven, is experiencing surging demand in the face of the coronavirus outbreak — from both commodity traders and retail buyers. The precious metal had forged a seven-year peak on commodity markets this month as …

Tokyo, Japan | AFP |  The stunt reflected his commitment to an event that was supposed to be the crowning glory of his tenure. But analysts say the historic delay of the Games over the coronavirus may not be all bad news for Abe. If the country’s longest-serving premier can see …

Paris, France | AFP |  Over a 24-hour period, in a world where a third of humanity is now under orders to stay home, AFP photographers have captured snapshots of daily life during the coronavirus pandemic. From Paris to Santa Monica, Dhaka to Panama, life has shuddered to a halt in …

Washington, United States | AFP |  With streets in major cities barren, and shops and restaurants forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, economists warn of a record explosion of Americans filing for unemployment benefits. The Labor Department on Thursday will release its weekly data on first-time applications for jobless …

Washington, United States | AFP |  The US Senate unanimously passed the nation’s largest-ever rescue package late Wednesday, a $2 trillion lifeline to suffering Americans, critically depleted hospitals and an economy all ravaged by a rapidly spreading coronavirus crisis. The measure cleared the Senate 96-0 after days of tumultuous, sometimes bitter …

Washington, United States | AFP | With American life upended, lawmakers in the US Congress are negotiating over a massive stimulus package to help pull the economy out of the steep decline caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Legislators are still negotiating the $2 trillion rescue which could be the largest emergency …

New Delhi, India | AFP | More than one billion Indians went into lockdown Wednesday, leaving a third of the planet now under orders to stay at home, as the United States vowed to spend $2 trillion to counter the economic harm of the coronavirus. Europe remains at the heart …