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 …
Read More »Gold sparkles in COVID-19 shadow
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 …
Read More »For Japan’s Abe, Olympic delay may be no sweat
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 …
Read More »Life under coronavirus: 24 hours around the world in pictures
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 …
Read More »US joblessness set to spike as virus takes toll on businesses
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 …
Read More »$2 trillion rescue package passes US Senate, heads to House
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 …
Read More »US stimulus plan: what it could do, and what’s in dispute
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 …
Read More »COVID-19: One third of humanity under virus lockdown
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 …
Read More »COVID-19: Prince Charles tests positive
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prince Charles, the eldest son and heir to Queen Elizabeth II, is showing mild symptoms of the new coronavirus but “otherwise remains in good health”, his office said on Wednesday. The 71-year-old is self-isolating in Scotland along with his wife Camilla, who was …
Read More »These Icelanders skip the hot springs for ice baths
Grindavik, Iceland | AFP | Using slow, deliberate movements and deep breathing, bathers immerse themselves in the waters of an ice-covered lake in southwestern Iceland. While others might opt for the soothing hot springs for which the country is famous, this hardy group prefers an ice bath, all in the name …
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