French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization and other world leaders about the coronavirus outbreak during a video conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 24, 2020. Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS
Reuters: World leaders launch plan to speed COVID-19 drugs, vaccine; U.S. stays away
GENEVA/ZURICH (Reuters) - World leaders pledged on Friday to accelerate work on tests, drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 and to share them around the globe, but the United States did not take part in the launch of the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa were among those who joined a video conference to launch what the WHO billed as a “landmark collaboration” to fight the pandemic.
The aim is to speed development of safe and effective drugs, tests and vaccines to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19, the lung disease caused be the novel coronavirus - and ensure equal access to treatments for rich and poor.
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MIDDLE EAST
Yemen ceasefire is extended by one month to help contain Covid-19. Yemen’s Houthis reject peace talks as Saudi-led truce ends.
Rouhani urges Iran military to seek regional stability, remain vigilant.
Iranian commander vows 'decisive' response if U.S. ships attack.
Saudi Arabia to abolish flogging - supreme court.
Leading Saudi activist dies in detention, say campaigners.
Iran, some Arab states ‘lying’ about their COVID-19 death toll, Mossad chief claims.
UN, EU warn Israel against West Bank annexation.
ASIA
Coronavirus: China rejects call for probe into origins of disease.
Afghanistan: Taliban rejects call for ceasefire during Ramadan.
At least 13 dead in Taliban attack on Afghan outpost.
China prosecutes first foreign suspect for Hong Kong violence.
Trump says reports on Kim's health 'incorrect'. Donald Trump says reports on illness of North Korea's Kim Jong-un are incorrect.
Kim Jong Un sent letters to Syria, Cuba leaders, state media says.
Australia, New Zealand mark Anzac Day with driveway vigils.
AFRICA
Haftar supporters rally as his forces lose ground in battle.
Suspected Fulani attack kills at least a dozen in central Mali.
Burkina Faso struggles to tackle terror threat.
DR Congo's Virunga National Park hit by 'deadliest' attack. Twelve rangers among 16 killed in ambush at DRC gorilla park.
Rwandan officers 'raping and killing during lockdown'.
Pompeo urges Egypt to keep US prisoners safe from coronavirus.
Ugandan journalists 'assaulted by security forces' amid coronavirus lockdowns.
DR Congo police arrest sect leader after deadly raid.
EUROPE
EU leaders agree to short-term rescue package, but not broader plan.
Half of Europe's coronavirus deaths were residents in aged care homes.
European countries considering when to lift lockdowns.
Italy unveils punishing public debt, deficit forecasts.
Armenia commemorates mass killings anniversary under quarantine.
Polish health minister says safest to delay May election.
EU and UK fail to bridge gaps in Brexit talks.
Britain running down the clock in Brexit talks, says Michel Barnier.
UK PM Boris Johnson recovering well from COVID-19 and in 'incredible' shape.
US plans to reopen Greenland consulate to counteract China, Russia influence in the Arctic region.
Saakashvili: Georgia's ex-leader set to become Ukraine deputy PM.
French government announces 'historic' €7 billion aid package for Air France-KLM.
AMERICAS
Trump signs $484 billion coronavirus relief package.
CBO projects 39.6 percent U.S. quarterly GDP drop, $3.7T deficit. US CBO sees economy contracting 12%, deficit exploding.
Dems urge Trump to reinstate WHO funding; Pompeo says it may never happen.
Venezuelan oil price falls to $9.90, lowest level in 20 years.
Brazil's Justice Minister Sergio Moro quits, says Bolsonaro was meddling.
Coronavirus: Canada says 1 million K95 masks from China unfit for Covid-19 fight.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Mozambique admits presence of ISIL-affiliated fighters.
Germany takes ex-members of Syria's secret police to trial over alleged war crimes.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
New North American trade pact to take effect July 1: USTR.
Court approves record $5 bn fine of Facebook over privacy.
Oil exec: 'At zero oil price there is no business'.
Apple and Google accelerate coronavirus contact tracing apps plan.
