World News Briefs -- March 26, 2020 (Evening Edition)

AP: Half-million infected worldwide as economic toll rises

The human and economic toll of the lockdowns against the coronavirus mounted Thursday as India struggled to feed the multitudes, Italy shut down most of its industry, and a record-shattering 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits in a single week. The U.S. surpassed the official Chinese government numbers to become the country with most reported infections.

As the number of cases worldwide reached a half-million and deaths climbed past 23,000, the damage to people’s livelihoods and their well-being from the effort to flatten the rising curve started to come into focus.

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MIDDLE EAST

Turkish forces 'neutralize' Kurdish fighters in Syria after 2 troops killed.

US forces return Qayyara air base to Iraqi control, withdraw From Mosul area.

Iraqi military says 2 rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone.

US puts NEW sanctions on Iran, despite calls for relief amid massive coronavirus outbreak.

Former FBI agent Robert Levinson dies in Iranian jail, according to family. Robert Levinson: Iran denies US former agent died there.

UN urges immediate truce in five-year conflict in Yemen.

U.S. cuts humanitarian aid to Yemen.

Israel election: Netanyahu rival Gantz ‘agrees emergency unity government’.

Jamal Khashoggi: Turkey charges 20 Saudis over journalist's murder.

ASIA

Xi Jinping urges ‘stronger international cooperation’ and quick action to fight coronavirus pandemic and stave off global recession.

China in coronavirus propaganda push as US ties worsen.

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait amid tensions with China.

Gunmen attack Sikh temple in Afghanistan, killing 25 worshippers.

U.N. mission in Afghanistan urges halt to attacks on civilians.

US-Taliban deal raises hopes for Afghan prisoners.

Afghanistan to release up to 10,000 prisoners to slow coronavirus spread.

India coronavirus: $22bn bailout announced for the poor.

North Korean Embassy in Beijing displays Xi, Kim photos.

Great Barrier Reef suffers third mass bleaching in 5 years.

AFRICA

Number of coronavirus cases rising quickly across Africa.

Egypt expels Guardian reporter for challenging coronavirus count.

Cameroon rebels declare coronavirus ceasefire.

Chad's 'invincible' army reels from jihadist blow.

Libya battles escalate as coronavirus arrives in country.

EU launches new Libya arms embargo mission in Mediterranean.

Mali opposition leader goes missing. Malian opposition leader kidnapped ahead of general elections.

Malian election candidate fights political crisis and coronavirus.

Chad president pays tribute to soldiers lost in Boko Haram attack.

EUROPE

EU leaders order up recovery plan for after coronavirus.

EU leaders at loggerheads over unified coronavirus response.

Eurozone given two weeks to find virus response.

Coronavirus capital by capital: How are Europeans coping with shutdown?

Germany, Switzerland help France deal with COVID-19 patients.

Coronavirus row helps topple Kosovo government. Kosovo PM becomes 1st world leader ousted over coronavirus response.

Coronavirus has put a stop to Europe's Schengen open border policy on its 25th anniversary.

Coronavirus delays Russian vote on Putin staying in power.

Greece celebrates independence day amid rising tensions with Turkey.

AMERICAS

US emerges as virus hotspot as infections, unemployment soar.

Trump to receive new coronavirus recommendations this weekend, plans Xi call.

Trump announces plan to relax lockdown as US surpasses China for most coronavirus cases.

Coronavirus: Record number of Americans file for unemployment. US jobless claims hit record 3.3 million as coronavirus batters economy.

Fed balance sheet tops $5 trillion for first time as it enters coronavirus war mode.

Venezuela's Maduro charged with drug trafficking by U.S. court. U.S. charges Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, others with drug trafficking.

Coronavirus: Mexicans demand crackdown on Americans crossing the border.

Canada slams US proposal to station troops on border.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Mozambique Islamist insurgency intensifies.

Germany: IS sympathizer jailed 10 years over poisoning plan.

Christchurch mosque shooting suspect changes plea to guilty.

Norway extradites jihadist preacher Mullah Krekar to Italy.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Coronavirus: US stocks defy record jobless claims, rise strongly on massive stimulus plan. In three-day surge, stocks recover 20 percent of losses.

Coronavirus: G20 to inject US$5 trillion into global economy, vowing to do ‘whatever it takes’ to overcome pandemic.

Asia stocks rise on bets of more stimulus as dollar rally fades.

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