Friday, April 3, 2020

World News Briefs - April 3, 2020 (Evening Edition)



Daily Mail: Germany accuses the US of 'modern day piracy' for seizing a shipment of medical equipment - as French officials claim they were forced to fight with American buyers for millions of masks on a Chinese tarmac

* The United States allegedly 'confiscated' 200,000 3M masks that Germany had ordered for their medical workers
* Berlin officials blasted the US, with one claiming President Trump is showing 'a lack of solidarity' with other countries caught up in the coronavirus pandemic
* It comes after two French officials alleged that they were outbid by Americans on millions of medical masks in China; the US has denied that allegation
* Trump has been desperately trying to secure medical equipment for American healthcare workers as COVID-19 cases surpassed 250,000 in the US
* However, Germany and France have also been hit hard by the outbreak, with tens of thousands of their citizens also sickened by the contagious virus

The United States has angered Germany and France after allegedly seizing millions of masks set to be shipped to the European nations amid the coronavirus crisis.

On Friday, German officials hit out at America for 'intercepting' 200,000 masks they had ordered from a 3M factory in China.

As 3M is an American-owned company, the US was able to 'confiscate' the shipment of special FFP2 and FFP3 masks which were on their way to healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 outbreak in Berlin.

'We consider that an act of modern piracy,' Berlin's interior minister Andreas Geisel blasted.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

WHO warns Middle East must act quickly to contain coronavirus.

Iran parliament speaker, Israeli health minister have virus.

Coronavirus fuels domestic violence in the Middle East.

U.N. worried about Iran prisoners amid coronavirus outbreak.

Tumbling oil prices leave Iraq facing a perfect storm.

Iraq on the brink of civil war as oil revenues evaporate.

Turkish forces bombard Syrian government positions in Manbij, north Syria - report.

Holiest cities in Islam under 24-hour curfew.

ASIA

Chinese ship hits and sinks Vietnamese fishing boat in South China Sea, detains crew.

China urges foreign diplomats to stay away.

Coronavirus: China to stage day of mourning on Saturday for thousands killed by Covid-19.

Coronavirus: China’s unemployment crisis mounts, but nobody knows true number of jobless.

China scrambles to plug border gaps as thousands flood home.

North Korea sanctions need to be eased, South group says.

Pakistan worshippers clash with police trying to enforce coronavirus lockdown.

Afghan leader Ashraf Ghani urges chief rival to lead talks with Taliban.

AFRICA

Pandemic devastates growth prospects in West African states Coronavirus hurts economic growth in Sahel states.

Guinea constitutional court ratifies referendum result.

Libyan forces kill 20 militants loyal to opposition leader.

Lesotho PM says rivals plotting to oust him, orders probe.

Mali: Abducted Soumaila Cisse 'doing well', release talks on.

Senegal postpones Independence Day celebrations.


Alarm as coronavirus curbs disrupt East Africa fight on locusts.

Guinea-Bissau convicts 12 for smuggling record 1.8 tonnes of cocaine.

EUROPE

Coronavirus deaths reach more than 30,000 in Europe.

Coronavirus: Europe's care homes struggle as deaths rise.

EU to fly home another 250,000 nationals stranded by coronavirus.

Putin discussed global energy market situation with Security Council. Russia stays in close contact with Saudi Arabia on oil market issues, says Putin.

International flights evacuating Russians from abroad to be suspended from April 4.

Spat over presidential election tests Poland's ruling coalition.

Coronavirus: UK among economies risking record slump.

Queen Elizabeth to record rare televised address on COVID-19.

AMERICAS

Trump, Macron weigh U.N. leaders' meeting on coronavirus: White House.

White House: Anyone 'in close proximity' to Trump or Pence will be tested for coronavirus.

Coronavirus: US 'wants 3M to end mask exports to Canada and Latin America'.

Coronavirus: Justin Trudeau hints at retaliation after White House orders 3M to halt ‘critical’ N95 mask exports to Canada health workers.

US employment plunges in March amid worsening coronavirus damage.

UN predicts 'deep recession' in LatAm due to virus.

Canada: Ontario warned to expect 15,000 deaths from coronavirus.

Argentina's lockdown: More people out of work and food.

Venezuelan Navy boat rams German cruise ship and sinks.

EU backs US plan for Venezuela transitional government.

Mexico murder rate reaches new high as violence rages amid Covid-19 spread .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Exclusive: Pakistani Taliban down but not out, says ex-spokesman.

Pakistan prevents release of 4 cleared in 2002 death of Daniel Pearl.

Weakened ISIL's sectarian agenda exacts heavy toll in Afghanistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street falls as coronavirus shreds U.S. payrolls.

Coronavirus upends global food supply chains in latest economic shock.

Coronavirus could cost the global economy $4.1 trillion – five per cent of worldwide output – Asian Development Bank warns.

Global economy will suffer for years to come, says OECD.

Pandemic-led recession 'way worse' than 2008 crisis, IMF says.

Oil price barrels ahead as OPEC flags meeting.

Mexican brewer ceases production of Corona beer.

Oil giants meet at White House amid talk of buying strategic reserves.

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