Covid-19: Cuba supports WHO in fighting pandemic – health minister

HAVANA, May 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cuba supports the World Health Organization (WHO) in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuban Minister of Public Health Jose Angel Portal said. “No country can tackle the coronavirus pandemic by itself. A coordinated global response is required in keeping with principles of solidarity,…

Over 250,000 children in Libya at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases: UNICEF, WHO

Libyan children play in the Libyan capital Tripoli, controlled by the UN-recognised Government of National Accord TRIPOLI, May 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said that more than 250,000 children in war-torn Libya face the risk of developing vaccine-preventable diseases. “The…

Covid-19: Palestine to ease measures in West Bank but to ban movement between cities during Eid

Ramallah, May 19 (NNN-XINHUA) — Palestinian authorities have decided to relax part of the anti-coronavirus measures that have been been imposed in the West Bank since March 5. The decision came as seven new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the Palestinian territories on Monday night, according to Health Minister Mai al-Kaila.…

Covid-19: Turkey imposes 4-day lockdown during Eid celebrations to curb pandemic

Police officers patrol the street with police dogs during a curfew in Ankara ISTANBUL, May 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a four-day lockdown on May 23-26 in the entire country to curb the spread of COVID-19. The curfew will comprehend all the 81 provinces, Erdogan said,…

Without human touch, Britain-EU Brexit talks struggle to find harmony

BRUSSELS/LONDON, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Stumbling through video calls, the long-troubled Brexit talks are heading for a new crisis as coronavirus health restrictions bar the intense face-to-face meetings that have proven crucial in pulling the negotiations back from the brink. With increasingly frustrated British and EU negotiators trading barbs over…

Israel swears in unity government after long political crisis

PM Benjamin Netanyahu JERUSALEM, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Israel has sworn in a unity government after the longest political crisis in the country’s history, and amid the coronavirus pandemic. Under a power-sharing deal agreed in April, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will serve for another 18 months. His rival Benny Gantz will serve as deputy…

Afghanistan: Rival leaders Ghani and Abdullah in power-sharing deal

 KABUL, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Dr Abdullah Abdullah have signed a power-sharing deal, ending months of political uncertainty. Ghani will stay on as president while both men will choose an equal number of ministers. Abdullah will lead peace talks with the Taliban, should they get under…

Covid-19: France and Germany propose €500bn recovery fund

Germany’s Angela Merkel and France’s Emmanuel Macron PARIS/BERLIN, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France and Germany are proposing a €500bn European recovery fund to be distributed to EU countries worst affected by Covid-19. In talks via video link, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed that the funds should be provided…

Covid-19: US Pres Trump calls WHO ‘puppet of China’

WASHINGTON, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump attacked the United Nations health body as a Chinese “puppet” on Monday and confirmed he is considering slashing or canceling US support. “They’re a puppet of China, they’re China-centric to put it nicer,” he said at the White House. Trump said the…

Covid-19: France intensive care patients drop below 2,000

PARIS, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care in France has fallen under 2,000 for the first time in two months, the health ministry said. The ministry said in its daily update that 131 people had died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours in…