World News Briefs -- May 6, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington, U.S., May 6, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/Pool

Reuters: Pompeo blames China for hundreds of thousands of virus deaths, denies inconsistency

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday renewed his aggressive criticism of China, blaming it for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people from the coronavirus and demanding again that it share information about the outbreak.

“They knew. China could have prevented the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. China could have spared the world descent into global economic malaise,” Pompeo told a State Department news conference.

“China is still refusing to share the information we need to keep people safe.”

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian gov't says 5th Israeli airstrike targeted base used by Iran.

Syrians flee camps and return to destroyed homes in Idlib.

Three rockets target military complex near Baghdad airport.

Israeli army targets Hamas posts in new attacks on Gaza.

Yemen: Houthis report first coronavirus case in rebel-held region.

Iran warns of 'rising trend' as virus cases top 100,000.

Coronavirus by Air: The spread of Covid-19 in the Middle East.

IMF rescue 'mandatory' for Lebanon recovery: president.

Israel parliament to vote on controversial coalition deal.

Abbco Tower: Fire engulfs skyscraper in UAE city of Sharjah.

ASIA

Global report: nations in Asia-Pacific pass Covid-19 peak and plot return to work.

China refuses international probe on Covid-19 source until ‘final victory’ over disease.

South Korean spy agency says no signs Kim Jong Un had heart surgery. Kim Jong-un: No signs of heart surgery, says South Korea.

South China Sea neighbours uneasy as Beijing expands enforcement actions.

Coronavirus triggers China’s weakest corporate earnings in a decade. The worst may be over.

Coronavirus: China could cut US debt holdings in response to White House Covid-19 compensation threats, analysts say .


Philippines' largest TV network shutters after government order.

Coronavirus lockdown: India jobless numbers cross 120 million in April.

Delhi imposes 70 per cent coronavirus tax on alcohol to curb India's post-lockdown thirst.

AFRICA

Boko Haram jihadists in deadly clash with army in southwestern Niger.

Coronavirus: Most Africans 'will go hungry in 14-day lockdown'.

Burundi vote campaigns marred by clashes.

Nigeria repatriates stranded nationals amid coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus: Nigeria's death penalty by Zoom 'inhumane'.

Kenya floods have killed nearly 200 in past month: govt.

Dozens missing and feared dead after Liberia gold mine collapse.

Rebels kill 12 rangers protecting gorillas who posed for a selfie with human 'parents' who raise them at orphanage in DR Congo.

S.Africa's Zuma says 'people trying to kill me' poisoned his son.

EUROPE

U.K. COVID-19 death toll now highest of any European nation.

Boris Johnson suggests coronavirus lockdown will be loosened on Monday.

Outlook: EU economy will fall 7.4% this year before recovery in 2021.

Coronavirus: EU facing 'deep and uneven recession'.

Merkel cautiously optimistic as she announces lockdown rollback. Coronavirus: Germany reopens shops as lockdown is relaxed.

For fourth day in row, Russia reports more than 10,000 new cases.

Italy's Prime Minister says foreign policy hasn't changed: paper.

Poland faces election chaos with just days to go.

Lukashenka wants world leaders to mark Victory Day in Minsk amid coronavirus.

Russia honors Kim Jong Un with commemorative medal.

AMERICAS

Trump denies reports that US coronavirus taskforce to disband.

New University Of Penn model predicts 350,000 deaths by end of June if all states fully reopen.

US private payrolls drop by 20.2 million in April, the worst job loss in the history of ADP report.

Trump denies U.S. involvement in alleged Venezuela plot.

Trump's top spy nominee says China is the 'greatest threat' to America and vows to ramp up the search to find the origins of the coronavirus.

Latin America struggles to contain COVID-19 pandemic.

Bodies of Covid-19 victims lie in the streets of Ecuador as virus death toll across Latin America passes 15,000 with the pandemic yet to peak in the region.

Peru sees surge in virus cases.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

IS militants step up attacks on Iraqi security forces.

India police: Top militant commander 'trapped' by security forces in Kashmir.

IS militants 'dumped bodies in Syria gorge', HRW says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. drafts rule to allow Huawei and U.S. firms to work together on 5G standards: sources.

Gaming becomes king of entertainment in pandemic lockdown.

Qatar Airways warns of 'substantial' job losses.

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