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China's virus-hit economy shrinks for first time in decades
China's economy shrank for the first time in decades in the first quarter of the year, as the virus forced factories and businesses to close.
The world's second biggest economy contracted 6.8% according to official data released on Friday.
The financial toll the coronavirus is having on the Chinese economy will be a huge concern to other countries.
China is an economic powerhouse as a maj... |
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Starving Rohingya refugees rescued off Bangladesh after two months at sea
The coast guard of Bangladesh says it has rescued at least 382 starving Rohingya refugees who had been drifting at sea for nearly two months.
More than two dozen people died on the boat, which was trying to reach Malaysia, officials said.
Some reports said the boat had been turned back by Malaysia because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is unclear whether the refugees had left from Bangla... |
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South Korea holds elections in masks and clinics
South Korea is holding an election unlike any other.
Voters must come wearing masks and stand at least 1m apart. They will have their temperature taken, disinfect their hands and wear plastic gloves.
Only then will they be given their voting slip and be allowed to head into the booth to cast their ballot.
These are just some of the measures being taken to allow the scheduled National Asse... |
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Coronavirus: Austria and Italy reopen some shops as lockdown eased
Thousands of shops have reopened in Austria, as it seeks to ease restrictions brought in to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Garden centres, DIY stores and small shops can open but with strict rules on social distancing.
In Italy, where over 20,000 people have died in the pandemic, a limited number of shops and businesses have been allowed to reopen.
But some of the worst hit regions h... |
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Brazil reports over 1,000 deaths
Brazil has become the first country in the southern hemisphere to surpass 1,000 deaths with coronavirus.
The South American country has recorded at least 1,068 deaths and 19,789 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Most Brazilian state governors have imposed quarantine measures but President Jair Bolsonaro continues to challenge the restrictions.
Health officials say the outbreak... |
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Italy bridge collapse: Two drivers survive
Two van drivers escaped serious injury when a bridge over a river in northern Italy collapsed on Wednesday.
The provincial road would normally have been busy but there was little traffic when the bridge fell, because of coronavirus lockdown measures.
Images from the scene show a red courier vehicle apparently still upright on the collapsed road.
The driver was hit by falling masonry and a... |
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Coronavirus: France records highest daily death toll of 833
France has reported 833 new coronavirus deaths in the past day, the highest daily toll since its outbreak began.
The total number of people who have died after testing positive for Covid-19 now stands at 8,911, while the number of infections is 98,010.
"We have not reached the end of the end of the ascent of this epidemic," warned Health Minister Olivier Véran.
Italy's daily death toll al... |
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Chinese explorers start Everest climb amid pandemic
A group of Chinese mountaineers has begun an expedition on Everest while the site is closed to foreign climbers because of coronavirus.
Only Chinese climbers are permitted this spring season because of the pandemic, operators told the BBC.
The highest peak of the world stands on the border of China and Nepal and can be climbed from both sides.
China has closed its side to foreign climbers... |
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Coronavirus: Confirmed global cases pass one million
More than a million cases of coronavirus have been registered globally, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University - another grim milestone as the world grapples with the spreading pandemic.
More than 51,000 people have died and more than 208,000 have recovered, according to the university's figures.
The US accounts for the most cases; Italy the highest death toll.
The ... |
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1 million cases in world; Democrats delay convention
The world soared past the 1 million mark in confirmed coronavirus cases, jobless numbers skyrocketed, Democrats delayed their national convention and the nation's preeminent infectious disease expert required a security detail as the COVID-19 death toll stretched beyond 5,600 in the U.S. on Thursday.
More than 1,000 people died of the coronavirus in the U.S. on Wednesday. A week ago the total w... |
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