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UN Security Council urges cease-fire in Afghanistan
The U.N. Security Council urged Afghanistan's warring parties on Tuesday to heed the U.N. secretary-general's call for an immediate cease-fire to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the country.
US finds major cross-border tunnel used to smuggle drugs
A large haul of drugs, including opioids, methamphetamine and cocaine, being smuggled from Mexico to California was seized from a cross-border tunnel equipped with ventilation, lighting and an underground rail system, authorities said Tuesday.
Un-baaaaa-lievable: Goats invade locked-down Welsh town
Un-baaaaa-lievable: This wild bunch is completely ignoring rules on social distancing.
Saudi official urges Muslims to delay hajj plans over virus
A senior Saudi official urged more than 1 million Muslims intending to perform the hajj to delay making plans this year — comments suggesting the pilgrimage could be cancelled due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
Volunteers fill gaps amid UK pandemic lockdown
The Rev. April Keech knocked on the door of an apartment in east London, took three giant steps back and made way for other volunteers to lay a bag of groceries on the threshold.
Global shares skid as coronavirus infections soar
Global shares skidded Wednesday as reports of rising numbers of coronavirus cases deepened the gloom over the likely impact on the world economy.
Roadside bombing in Afghanistan kills 8, mostly children
A roadside bombing in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday killed at least eight civilians, including six children.
UN General Assembly to decide on rival COVID-19 resolutions
How should the U.N. General Assembly and its 193 member states respond to the coronavirus pandemic? Members have been sent two rival resolutions for consideration — and under new voting rules instituted because the global body isn't holding meetings, if a single country objects a resolution is defeated.
US again accused of killing civilians in Somalia airstrikes
The U.S. military is facing more allegations of killing civilians with airstrikes in Somalia, and now says it will address the issue more fully in upcoming public reports.
Dryness, sudden winds factors in deadly China forest fire
Chinese officials say dry conditions, high temperatures and a sudden change in wind direction all contributed to the deaths of 19 people in a forest fire in mountainous southwestern China.
Fearful of new infections, Asia tightens borders, imposes more restrictions
In China, international flights have been cut back so severely that Chinese students abroad wonder when they will be able to get home. In Singapore,…
Asian stocks fall on lagging worries about virus, recession
Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday, on continuing worries about the economic fallout from the pandemic as reports of coronavirus cases keep surging in various regions.
Too little too late? Experts decry Mexico virus policy delay
Mexico has started taking tougher measures against the coronavirus after weeks of its president hugging followers and saying religious medals would protect him. Some experts warn the sprawling country of 129 million is acting too late and testing too little to prevent the type of crisis unfolding across the border in the United States.
Florida docking plan in the works for ill-fated cruise ships
Passengers from an ill-fated South American cruise are eager to disembark once they reach Florida, but Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state's health care resources are already stretched too thin to take on the ships' coronavirus caseload. The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday that the decision would be punted to Washington if authorities can't agree.
Facebook joins resistance to Bolsonaro virus claims
Major social media companies are taking aim at Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's dismissal of social distancing, joining others in the country who have lined up against his controversial stance regarding the new coronavirus.
Rights, press groups condemn killing of Mexican journalist
Human rights and press freedom groups on Tuesday condemned the murder of a Mexican journalist, at least the 12th such killing since the current president took office in December 2018.
Disputed Canada-US oil pipeline work to start in April
A Canadian company said Tuesday it plans to start construction of the disputed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline through the U.S. Midwest in April, after lining up customers and money for a proposal that is bitterly opposed by environmentalists and some American Indian tribes.
6 European nations condemn North Korean missile launches
The U.N. Security Council didn't issue a statement after discussing North Korea's latest missile tests but six European nations on the council are condemning Pyongyang' repeated launches, saying they illustrate its ongoing efforts to develop its ballistic missile programs and expand its arsenal.
Toronto cancels city-led and permitted events to June 30
Canada's largest city, Toronto, announced Tuesday it is canceling all city-led and permitted events through June 30 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Actor Andrew Jack dies of coronavirus at 76 in Britain
Star Wars actor Andrew Jack has died in Britain as a result of the coronavirus, his agent said on Wednesday. He was 76.