President Donald Trump said he will suspend all travel from Europe to the US for the next 30 days, the most far-reaching measure yet in the administration’s efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus. The restrictions, which will not apply to the UK, will go into effect Friday at midnight, […]
Amazon increases paid sick leave for employees affected by coronavirus
Amazon on Wednesday beefed up paid leave for workers quarantined due to the novel coronavirus or diagnosed with the COVID-19 illness. The company also announced creation of an Amazon Relief Fund — starting at USD 25 million — to serve as a pool of grant money for independent delivery drivers, […]
US, UK troops among 3 dead in Iraq rocket attack: US official
An American soldier, a British soldier and one US contractor were killed Wednesday, a US official said, in the deadliest rocket attack in years on an Iraqi military base hosting foreign troops. The attack threatens a dangerous escalation, with suspected US-led coalition air strikes promptly targeting Iran-aligned Iraqi fighters in […]
Michelle Obama’s Detroit rally called off amid coronavirus scare
A voter participation rally in Detroit that was to feature former first lady Michelle Obama was cancelled Wednesday because of concerns over the new coronavirus. The March 27 ticketed event at the University of Detroit Mercy will not be held “out of an abundance of caution for the health and […]
After Wuhan trials, China to mass produce rapid test kits
China is getting ready for the rapid screening of people for coronavirus if there’s a spike in cases as millions of people resume work across the country. Until now, China’s National Medical Products Administration has approved 10 new coronavirus nucleic acid detection reagents and six antibody detection reagents. As the […]
Indian children’s publisher wins London Book Fair award
Chennai-based Karadi Tales, which publishes picturebooks and audiobooks for children, has won the Audiobook Publisher of the Year award at the London Book Fair Awards 2020, which took place online after the coronovirus outbreak cancelled the event. Organisers said on Tuesday that judges congratulated Karadi Tales on its “firm commercial […]
Joe Biden extends lead over rival Bernie Sanders
Former US vice-president Joe Biden extended his lead over Senator Bernie Sanders, winning four of the six states that held their Democratic presidential nominating contests on Tuesday, including the prize catch of the evening, Michigan. Biden also picked up Mississippi, Missouri and Idaho, continuing his winning spree from the South […]
UN Security Council endorses US-Taliban peace deal
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution welcoming the recent deal between the US and the Taliban to bring lasting peace in war-torn Afghanistan and allow US troops to return home from America’s longest war. The US-Taliban peace deal was signed in Doha on February 29. All 15 […]
Ex-vice president Joe Biden wins Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri primaries
Former vice-president Joe Biden expanded his lead over Senator Bernie Sanders with projected victories in three of the six states that held their Democratic presidential nominating contests Tuesday, including the prize catch of the evening, Michigan, a key state rich in delegates needed to win the race. Biden also picked […]
China reports 22 new coronavirus deaths, President Xi makes first visit to epicentre Wuhan
China has reported 22 new coronavirus deaths, taking the death toll to 3,158, health officials said on Wednesday, as Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first visit to the worst-hit Wuhan city and lauded the authorities and medical staff for “turning the tide” against the deadly epidemic, saying that the […]
Coronavirus is ending a 16-Year plane boom for Boeing and Airbus
Boeing Co. and Airbus SE, which until recently couldn’t make planes fast enough to satisfy airlines, are suddenly contending with the opposite risk: churning out jets with no buyers. Demand for new aircraft is drying up as customers wary of the coronavirus shun air travel, ending the longest boom in […]
Coronavirus: UK health minister tests positive for Covid-19, met PM Johnson last week
British MP Nadine Dorries, a minister in the health department, has tested positive for coronavirus, she said in a statement on Tuesday, raising concerns about whether senior government figures have been infected. “I can confirm I have tested positive for coronavirus… and have been self-isolating at home,” said the Conservative […]
Man rescued after 69 hrs in rubble of China hotel quarantined for coronavirus
A man was pulled out alive after being trapped for 69 hours under the rubble of a collapsed virus quarantine hotel in southeastern China in which at least 20 other people died. The official Xinhua News Agency said the man was sent to hospital immediately after being rescued late on […]
Coronavirus: Warning bells sound for US economy as coronavirus squeezes ports
Accustomed to running at full speed this time of year, George Powers has watched as a shipping slowdown tied to the coronavirus sidelines more than half his warehouse workers at the usually bustling Port of Savannah on the US East Coast. “Savannah continues to boom as a port of entry […]
Qatar bars arrivals from 14 countries, including India, as coronavirus cases spike
Qatar has temporarily barred travellers from 14 countries from March 9 as a precaution against the rapidly spreading coronavirus, the government announced on Sunday. “In addition to Qatar Airways announcement regarding flights to and from Italy, entry to the State of Qatar is temporarily suspended for all those intending to […]