Oct 28 France, Germany impose new lockdowns to curb virus spread By Frank Jordans, Angela Charlton, Associated Press The World Health Organization says the European region — which includes Russia, Turkey, Israel and Central Asia, according to its definition — accounted for almost half of the 2.8 million new coronavirus cases reported globally last week. Continue reading
Oct 28 26 missing, 2 killed after strong typhoon slams Vietnam By Hau Dinh, Associated Press Typhoon Molave has slammed into Vietnam with destructive force, killing at least two people and sinking two fishing boats with 26 crew members in what was feared to be the most powerful storm to hit the country in 20 years. Continue reading
Oct 28 Divided Belgium turns into Europe's worst virus hot spot By Associated Press Belgium has been hit hard again by the pandemic, and now presents some of the most worrying statistics in a continent reeling under a coronavirus resurgence. Continue reading
Oct 28 Australia's second-largest city ends 111-day virus lockdown By Associated Press The lockdown had been particularly tough on those in Melbourne because the rest of Australia beyond Victoria successfully contained second waves of infections without increasing restrictions. Continue reading
Oct 27 Eager for change, Chile faces long road to new constitution By Eva Vergara, Christopher Torchia, Associated Press One of Latin America's most affluent nations, and also one haunted by social and economic inequality, plans to draft a new constitution to replace the charter introduced during military rule decades ago. Continue reading
Oct 27 Poland's leader wants churches defended, condemns protests By Monika Scislowska, Associated Press Poland's powerful ruling party leader has called on his supporters to come out and defend the predominantly Catholic nation's churches from protesters angry over a court ruling restricting abortions. Continue reading
Oct 27 Watch 6:18 China dominates the pandemic PPE market. What does that mean for U.S. as virus surges? By Patrick Fok During the coronavirus pandemic, the world has become reliant on personal protective equipment, or PPE. Most of this essential gear, from masks to gowns to goggles, comes from China -- and experts in the U.S. say this foreign dependence is… Continue watching
Oct 27 Nicaragua approves 'cybercrimes' law, alarming rights groups By Associated Press Nicaragua’s unicameral legislature approved legislation on Tuesday mandating prison sentences for those who use online platforms to spread false information or information that could raise alarm among people. Continue reading
Oct 27 Thai students aim for ambitious political change By Grant Peck, Chris Blake, Associated Press The protesters have three main demands: They want Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s resignation; changes to a constitution that was drafted under military rule; and, most controversially, reforms to the constitutional monarchy. Continue reading
Oct 27 Bomb at seminary in Pakistan kills 8 students, wounds 136 By Riaz Khan, Associated Press A powerful bomb blast ripped through an Islamic seminary on the outskirts of the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar on Tuesday morning, killing at least eight students and wounding 136 others, police and a hospital spokesman said. Continue reading