Skip to main content

World News Briefs -- April 27, 2020 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Global coronavirus cases pass three million as lockdowns begin to ease

BEIJING (Reuters) - Global confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 3 million on Monday, as the United States neared 1 million cases, according to a Reuters tally.

It comes as many countries are taking steps to ease lockdown measures that have brought the world to a standstill over the past eight weeks. [nL3N2CF2RN]

The first 41 cases were confirmed in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 10. The 3 million confirmed infections in less than four months are comparable in number with the roughly 3-5 million cases of severe illness caused by seasonal influenza around the world each year, according to the World Health Organisation.

An average of 82,000 cases have been reported per day in the past week. Over a quarter of all cases are in the United States, and over 43% have been recorded in Europe.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Yemen's separatist southern forces announce plans for self-rule, jeopardising Riyadh peace deal. Saudi-led coalition calls for end to escalation in south Yemen.

Turkish Army suffers casualties in Idlib after latest jihadist attack: report.

Rocket attacks hit near Syrian capital; 7 dead.

Food prices across Syria double in a year: WFP.

In twist to press arms ban, US asserts role in Iran deal.

Pentagon downplays Iran military satellite as 'tumbling webcam'.

Saudi Arabia ends capital punishment for minors.

Demonstrators block roads in Lebanon protest over dire economy.

Lebanon offshore drilling finds no commercially viable gas: minister.

Netanyahu 'confident' US will allow West Bank annexation soon.

US says would recognize Israel annexation.

Israel Memorial Day events held in small groups, online amid pandemic.

ASIA

Three Beijing activists 'disappear after saving backup copies of censored coronavirus-related reports'.

U.N. report: 1,300 civilian casualties in Afghanistan in first 3 months of 2020. UN report notes drop in number of Afghan civilians killed.

Kim Jong-un is ‘alive and well’ and staying in Wonsan, says top South Korean official.

‘I just wish him well’: Trump says he has ‘good idea’ of Kim Jong-un’s condition. Trump appears to confirm that NKorea's Kim is alive.

Moon Jae-in on North Korea policy: 'Small tasks to be pursued relentlessly'.

Fijian military leader defends government's right to 'stifle' press during Covid crisis.

Former South Korea president denies helicopter attack in Gwangju.

Vietnamese woman sues Seoul for 'wartime massacre'.

Ramadan bazaars go digital in Southeast Asia amid pandemic.

AFRICA

European states urge 'humanitarian truce' in Libya.

Libya's Haftar claims 'mandate from the people'. Haftar dismisses UN Libya unity deal as 'thing of the past'.

Dozens killed in eastern DRC attacks: Officials. DR Congo attacks kill 43: officials.

Ethiopian forces occupy parts of Sudan border zone.

COVID-19 worsens South Sudan hunger crisis.

Burundi gov't using fear, repression ahead of election, watchdog says.

Rwandan police chief accused of sexual assault of child refugee at UN centre.

EUROPE

Europe continues to ease lockdown as Switzerland re-opens shops and Norway restarts primary schools while masks become mandatory on public transport in Germany

Coronavirus: Europe takes cautious first steps to reopening amid threat of new outbreaks.

UK says it won’t extend EU talks despite virus upheaval.

Back at work, Boris Johnson urges patience over UK lockdown.

Prague mayor under police protection amid reports of Russian plot.

Poland: Opposition slams presidential election by post.

Coronavirus in Russia: Anti-government protests go online.

Millions take part in Belarus civic labor day amid coronavirus.

Builders back at Paris's Notre-Dame after Covid-19 shutdown.

AMERICAS

Trump faults China for coronavirus' spread, says U.S. investigating. Trump says US may seek damages from China over virus.

White House adviser Navarro lashes out at China over 'fake' test kits.

Trump says never considered delaying election.

US Congress set to reopen, but new virus aid faces divisions.

U.S. House committee launches probe of Trump WHO aid cutoff.

U.S. imposes new rules on exports to China to keep them from its military.

Virus spreads fear through Latin America’s unruly prisons.

Brazilians divided on impeachment of President Bolsonaro: poll.

Canada begins staggered lifting of pandemic lockdown.

Argentina, Chile defuse spat, vow united fight against pandemic and recession.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

How the Islamic State feeds on coronavirus.

U.S. says 2 civilians were killed in 2019 Somalia airstrike.

UN finds ‘disturbing increase in violence’ following U.S.-Taliban deal.

Taliban lauds Mullah Omar for defending Osama bin Laden after 9/11.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Asia stocks set to rise as Wall Street jumps on lockdown easing hopes.

Questions swirl as US Fed meets amid deepening economic crisis.

Exclusive: Oil traders book expensive U.S. vessels to store gasoline, ship fuel overseas in sign of desperation.

Ships filled with jet fuel to petrol wait in Singapore Strait amid slump in oil demand.

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/2xTEg41
via IFTTT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

US-built first Saudi MMSC frigate HMS Saud launched at Fincantieri’s shipyard

According to information published by the Saudi Ministry of Defense on December 18, 2025, the first Multi-Mission Surface Combatant frigate constructed in the United States for the Royal Saudi Navy has been officially launched at Fincantieri Marinette Marine’s shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. The ship, designated HMS Saud with pennant number 820 and also known as Jalalat Al-Malik Saud in honor of King Saud, is the lead vessel in a four-ship program ordered under Project Tuwaiq through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales framework, a deal that defense officials have repeatedly described as a cornerstone of bilateral naval cooperation. Read more.   The HMS Saud (820) has an overall length of approximately 118 meters, in some sources detailed as 118.6 meters, with a beam of 17.6 meters, a draft of about 4.3 meters, and a full-load displacement estimated at roughly 3,600 tonnes. (Picture source: Saudi MoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift....

U.S. Army Conducts Gunnery Exercise With Latest Air Defense System Sgt Stout.

U.S. Army officials confirmed that a live gunnery exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, is underway, featuring the latest-generation Sgt Stout short-range air defense system. The drills mark a significant step toward full operational integration as units across the force adapt to evolving threats from drones, rotary-wing aircraft, and low-flying munitions. It matters because Sgt. Stout enhances the Army’s ability to defend forward-deployed troops and critical infrastructure from modern aerial threats. Read full Defense News at this link ... A U.S. Army SGT Stout SHORAD air defense vehicle maneuvers into firing position during live-fire training with the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, on October 3, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/NYmsS1n via IFTTT

Bath Iron Works starts building new Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyer USS J. William Middendorf

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has started construction of the future USS J. William Middendorf (DDG 138), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that will strengthen the U.S. Navy’s missile-defense and escort capacity during sustained operations in the Red Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, and Indo-Pacific. The ceremonial first steel cut took place in Maine on May 19, 2026, as the Navy continues relying on Flight III destroyers equipped with the SPY-6 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system to replace the air defense and command role of retiring Ticonderoga-class cruisers ahead of the future DDG(X) program.  Read full defense news at this link... USS J. William Middendorf belongs to the Flight III configuration that began with USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the first Flight III destroyer commissioned in October 2023. (Picture source: US Navy) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/tSRkVWI via IFTTT