International Edition Voice of America

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres in an interview in Lahore, Pakistan tells reporters that the new virus outbreak ``is not out of control but it is a very dangerous situation.'' He says countries with strong health systems need to help more vulnerable nations, like many of those in Africa.

The Federal Judges Association is an independent organization and has announced an emergency meeting to address issues related to the Justice Department's decision to revise the sentencing recommendation in the case involving Roger Stone, a longtime ally of US President Donald Trump. Professor James Sample from Hofstra University discusses how impartial the DOJ should be from the rest of the executive branch.

Plus: The latest updates on the COVID-19 outbreak. The effect of continued fighting on ISIS prisons in Syria. The Boy Scouts of America files for bankruptcy.

Those stories and more are all on this International Edition.
 

China reported close to 1,900 new Covid-19 virus cases and 98 more deaths in its update Tuesday on a disease outbreak that has caused milder illness in most people, an assessment that promoted guarded optimism from global health authorities.  Monday's report gives the World Health Organization a clearer picture of where the outbreak is headed, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a news conference but urged caution.  Tedros also said nations worldwide need to be vigilant while the window to get this under control is still open.  Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious disease physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at The Australian National University provides an update.

Plus, as Afghanistan grapples with the po9ssiblity of a peace deal, the future of millions of Afghan refugees also looks a little more hopeful.  United Nations and other officials at a refugee conference in Pakistan warn that peace alone will not be enough to send them home.

Those stories and more are all on this International Edition.

With no end in sight of the outbreak, the economic repercussions from the shutdown of Chinese industry could trigger recessions in Japan and in Singapore. The latest figures from mainland China, puts the total number of coronavirus cases at 70,548, with 1,770 deaths.  Outside of China, more than 500 infections have been confirmed, mostly in people who traveled from Chinese cities, with five deaths - in Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan and France.

Plus: The Taliban appeared confident Monday it will sign a peace agreement with the United States by the end of this month in the presence of international guarantors to close the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. General Motors is retreating from more markets outside of the United States and China, saying on Sunday that it will wind down sales, design and engineering operations in Australia and New Zealand and retire the Holden brand by 2021.

Those stories and more are all on this International Edition.

Congressional Democrats' attempt to remove President Donald Trump from office for alleged abuse of power and obstruction of Congress failed in the US Senate earlier this month.  However, that has not stopped House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from criticizing Trump for what she says is a "manifesto of untruths."  VOA's Congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson reports on what happens next in the relationship between the White House and Capitol Hill.

Countries around the world are introducing precautionary measures to prevent the coronavirus from infecting their citizens. Chinese officials on Sunday confirmed 68,500 confirmed cases and 1,665 deaths from the virus. The number of suspected new cases exceeds 8,000. So far, no one knows when the outbreak may end while the virus infects more and more people across international borders. 

Plus, NATO says it will draw down troop levels in Afghanistan if the Taliban shows that it is willing and able to end violence in the country. It follows a tentative deal struck between the U.S. and the Taliban this week.  NATO's Secretary-General made the comments at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, where world leaders have assembled to discuss the numerous threats facing the world - from conflicts to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Those stories and more are on this International Edition.

Passengers from the cruise ship stuck at sea for two weeks, celebrated disembarking to Cambodia after no passengers were found to be carrying the coronavirus. China’s National Health Commission said it had recorded 121 new deaths, bringing that total to 1380 and adding 5,090 new coronavirus cases on the mainland on Thursday, taking the total number of infected to over 64,000.

Plus, the U.S. and Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence. Confirmation from the Trump administration came after NATO leaders discussed the way forward in Afghanistan at a defense meeting in Brussels. Ayaz Gul has the reaction from the region. 

And, the United States is trying to ease concerns about its decision to withdraw conventional troops from Africa and replace them with specialized military trainers.

Those stories and more are all on this International Edition.