Việt Nam News

Pompeo slashes aid, meets Taliban on surprise Afghan mission

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday slashed aid to Afghanistan's government after a mission to Kabul failed to bridge a divide between feuding leaders as he moved forward with the Taliban on a deal to pull troops.

Israel right-wing parties boycott parliament re-opening

Israeli right-wing parties backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boycotted the re-opening of parliament Monday to protest what they called the "dictatorial" conduct of their centrist rivals.

Yemen war's 'devastating impact' on child mental health: charity

The long war in Yemen has had a "devastating impact" on the mental health of children, with more than half saying they feel sad and depressed, Save the Children said.

Britain orders lockdown as WHO warns pandemic 'accelerating'

Britain ordered a three-week lockdown on Monday in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus as world health officials warned that the pandemic was "accelerating" around the globe.

US envoy says Kabul, Taliban in first prisoner exchange talks

The Afghan government and the Taliban on Sunday held their first discussion on arranging prisoner exchanges, a key step in a broader push for peace, the US special envoy for Afghanistan said on Twitter.

Coronavirus toll soars despite lockdowns as doctors overwhelmed

Coronavirus deaths soared across Europe and the United States on Sunday despite heightened restrictions, as Germany banned gatherings of more than two people and Chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine.

Riot in Colombia prison over virus fears leaves 23 dead

Rioting that swept through a crowded prison overnight in the Colombian capital Bogota left 23 inmates dead on Sunday amid rising tensions over the spread of the coronavirus in the penitentiary system.

Italy virus toll tops 4,000, New York joins California in lockdown

The grim toll of coronavirus deaths in Italy, the world's worst-hit nation, surged past 4,000 on Friday as New York and other US states joined California in ordering a lockdown to try to bring the pandemic under control.

Argentina orders mandatory self-quarantine until March 31: president

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez on Thursday announced a "preventative and compulsory" lockdown of the population from Friday to March 31 to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Israel's top court puts curbs on spy agency joining virus fight

Israel's supreme court ruled on Thursday that parliament must have oversight over emergency powers allowing internal security agency Shin Bet to collect information on citizens as part of the fight against coronavirus.

Malawi president names new 'election' cabinet

Barely a week after dissolving cabinet, Malawi's President Peter Mutharika named a new cabinet on Thursday, roping in new members from his electoral new alliance partners.

Trump replaces G7 Camp David summit with videoconference: White House

President Donald Trump is scrapping this year's G7 summit at Camp David near Washington due to the coronavirus crisis and will instead hold the event by videoconference, the White House said on Thursday.

Italy overtakes China with most virus deaths

Italy surpassed China on Thursday as the country with the most deaths from coronavirus as the UN chief warned "millions" could die if it spreads unchecked around the globe.

Merkel calls coronavirus 'biggest challenge since WWII'

Germany is facing its biggest challenge "since the Second World War" in the fight against the coronavirus, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday, in what observers called a "final warning" for citizens to heed sweeping confinement measures.

Facebook scrambles as use soars in time of isolation

Facebook said on Wednesday it would place "authoritative" coronavirus content at the top of user feeds as it scrambled to keep up with increased usage and stem the flow of misinformation on its platform and WhatsApp messaging.

Trump signs $100 billion coronavirus relief package

US President Donald Trump has signed a $100-billion emergency aid package that ensures sick leave to Americans workers who fall ill from the new coronavirus, with more federal assistance in the pipeline.

ECB brings 750 bn euro bazooka to virus fightback

The European Central Bank on Wednesday unexpectedly said it would spend 750 billion euros on "emergency" bond purchases, as it joined other central banks in stepping up efforts to contain the economic damage from the coronavirus.

WHO Europe calls for 'boldest actions' to fight pandemic

The World Health Organisation's regional chief for Europe on Tuesday called for the "boldest actions" to fight the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the continent.