Trump declares coronavirus national emergency

US President Donald Trump announced a national state of emergency on Friday, freeing up US$50 billion in federal funds for the battle against the coronavirus pandemic as he vowed to "vastly" ramp up testing capacity.

Brazil's Bolsonaro tests negative for coronavirus

Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday he had tested negative for the new coronavirus, after a scare over a trip on which at least one infected member of his staff rubbed shoulders with US President Donald Trump.

US to spend $50 billion, buy oil amid virus economic pain

With the economy reeling, US President Donald Trump on Friday declared a national emergency to stem the damage from the coronavirus, unlocking $50 billion in federal spending while also unveiling plans to stockpile oil and waive interest payments on student loans.

US retaliates in Iraq for deadly rocket attack

The US military launched air strikes against a pro-Iranian group in Iraq following the deaths of two Americans and a Briton in a rocket attack, US military officials told AFP on Thursday.

Kabul to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners if violence eases

The Afghan government will gradually release 5,000 Taliban prisoners starting this week if the insurgents significantly reduce violence, President Ashraf Ghani's spokesman said early Wednesday, seeking to resolve a dispute that has delayed peace talks between the militants and Kabul.

China quarantine hotel collapse toll rises to 26

The death toll from the collapse of a coronavirus quarantine hotel in east China rose to 26 on Wednesday, with three more people feared still trapped in the rubble, according to state media.

‘A Day Without Us’: Mexican women stage protest by absence

Women mostly stayed off Mexico City's streets Monday as part of a protest against the country's soaring rate of gender violence. The "Day Without Us" strike was staged to highlight the more than 1,000 women and children murdered in Mexico last year.

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