World News Briefs -- April 1, 2020 (Evening Edition)

France 24: WHO troubled by 'near exponential' growth of coronavirus pandemic

The World Health Organization said Wednesday it was deeply concerned about the near-exponential escalation of the new coronavirus pandemic, with the number of deaths doubling in a week.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged citizens around the globe to stand together to fight COVID-19, as he braced for the millionth confirmed case.

"As we enter the fourth month since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am deeply concerned about the rapid escalation and global spread of infection," he told a virtual news conference.

"Over the past five weeks, we have witnessed a near exponential growth in the number of new cases, reaching almost every country.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria: Record drop in monthly death toll.

Iran warns about American 'military moves' in Iraq. Iran warns US after Patriot missile deployment to Iraq.

Trump warns Iran of 'heavy price' in case of attack on US troops.

U.S. says believes Iran was directly involved in killing of Iranian dissident in Turkey.

Europe sends Iran medical supplies.

COVID-19: Almost half of Lebanon now lives below poverty line.

Israeli-Palestinian pandemic cooperation tested by rising cases.

ASIA

Afghanistan: Deadly bombing mars Taliban prisoner-swap talks.

Taliban, Afghanistan prepare for prisoner swap. Afghanistan and Taliban begin direct talks with aim of prisoner swap.

Afghanistan braces for coronavirus surge as migrants pour back from Iran.

Japan's Shinzo Abe says he has no intention to leave office.

'Shoot them dead': Duterte warns against violating lockdown.

Hundreds of Nepalese stuck at India border amid COVID-19 lockdown.

North Korea moving to prevent flooding disasters, state media says.

AFRICA

Libya marks year of fighting, fears worse to come.

Amnesty: US in denial over killing civilians in Somalia.

Fears for civilians in Chad after army suffers devastating Boko Haram attack.

Kenyan president apologises for police violence during curfew.

Economic pain looms for African oil-producing nations as global coronavirus shutdown batters prices.

Key Polisario Front figure Mhamed Khadad dies.

DR Congo in mourning after funeral parties banned.

EUROPE

Coronavirus: What are the lockdown measures across Europe?

Coronavirus: Study suggests Europe may have averted 59,000 deaths.

Nursing homes in Europe struggle with pandemic's uncounted dead.

EU leader Ursula von der Leyen risks Beijing’s ire by lauding Taiwan’s donation of 5.6 million masks for coronavirus battle.

EU warns members against excessive power after change in Hungary.

As most European elections are called off, Poland pushes ahead.

Coronavirus: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier calls for global alliance.

Coronavirus pandemic sees Wimbledon cancelled for first time since World War II.

AMERICAS

US coronavirus cases surpass 200,000 with more than 4,600 deaths.

265 MILLION Americans - 80 per cent of the population - are now ordered to stay home but some states STILL refuse to shutdown with Missouri Governor insisting it is down to 'individual responsibility'.

Nearly a third of Americans say they've already lost wages, 16% have been fired or furloughed and almost HALF of all millennials fear they'll lose their jobs as coronavirus threatens to tip the world into a recession.

US warns time running out for virus evacuations.

Trump says Florida will evacuate stranded cruise ships.

Trump is sending 500 troops to Mexican border to aid agents struggling with security efforts amid the coronavirus fight.

Forget coronavirus at home, I'm ordering a drugs war: Donald Trump sends Navy destroyers and combat ships to crack down on 'traffickers' he claims are trying to exploit crisis.

Former Venezuelan spy chief pleads not guilty to charges he helped President Maduro and Colombian guerrilla group flood U.S. streets with 250 tons cocaine for two decades.

Cuba calls off workers' May Day parade.

Mexico COVID-19 cases top 1,000, declares state of emergency.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Treasury sanctions Quds force fronts in Iraq.

U.S. didn't report civilian deaths from Somalia airstrikes, report says.

Egypt’s terror fight not over after killing ISIS emir.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow closes down 973 points in 4.4% plunge after Trump warned that the next two weeks of the coronavirus pandemic would be 'very, very painful'.

Saudi oil supply hits record as price war rages.

World risks food crisis in wake of coronavirus, officials warn.

Coronavirus: Zoom under increased scrutiny as popularity soars.

ALL of Facebook's service go down for users across the US and Europe as thousands report being unable to load pictures, videos, and newsfeeds.

Experts: Certain coronavirus measures can disrupt food supply chain.

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