Trump confident that coronavirus may have originated in Chinese lab

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was confident the coronavirus may have originated in a Chinese virology lab, but declined to describe the evidence, ratcheting up tensions with Beijing over the origins of the deadly outbreak.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2YlD8AX

China reports 12 new coronavirus cases versus four a day earlier

China reported 12 new coronavirus cases for April 30, up from four a day earlier, data from the country's health authority showed on Friday.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2VQXCzF

Honduran president denies drug trafficking accusations

The drug trafficking accusations against Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez are "100%" false, the president's office said on Thursday, after U.S. prosecutors announced drug trafficking charges against a former chief of the Honduran National Police.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2SluC0L

Japan to decide whether to extend state of emergency as early as Monday: broadcaster NHK

Japan will formally decide as early as Monday whether to extend its nationwide state of emergency, said public broadcaster NHK, after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned citizens to prepare for a "drawn-out battle" against the coronavirus.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/3aSj7EH

Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today

By BY PATRICK J. LYONS from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/3aUxUyw

Australia plots return of sport as spread of coronavirus slows

The Australian government will meet on Friday to discuss how sport can restart as the number of new coronavirus cases dwindles and states begin to relax restrictions on social gatherings, two sources familiar with the details told Reuters.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/3c509Mg

In Place of Pomp and Circumstance: Oprah

By BY NEIL VIGDOR from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2zNn9RV

Coronavirus lockdown: Boots offers safe space for domestic abuse victims

People living with abuse will be able to use the pharmacy's consultation rooms to contact helplines.

from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/3bZaD00

Coronavirus: How will airlines get flying again?

When passenger planes start flying again, the world of air travel will be very different.

from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2YqnyUz

Fiona Ex Machina

By BY WESLEY MORRIS AND JENNA WORTHAM from NYT Podcasts https://nyti.ms/3cZ9eGw

Two Arrested in Killings of Transgender Women in Puerto Rico

By BY MICHAEL LEVENSON AND SANDRA E. GARCIA from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/3f9pFC4

Peter Hunt, Who Directed the Broadway Hit ‘1776,’ Dies at 81

By BY NEIL GENZLINGER from NYT Theater https://nyti.ms/2VRce1X

Scrambling the Political Divide: ‘No Normal Recession’

By BY LISA LERER from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2KQylPO

In a Crisis, True Leaders Stand Out

By BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/3f72IQ6

Amazon Sells More, but Warns of Much Higher Costs Ahead

By BY KAREN WEISE from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2YnwE4C

Trump threatens new tariffs on China as U.S. mulls retaliatory action over virus

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday his hard-fought trade deal with China was now of secondary importance to the coronavirus pandemic and he threatened new tariffs on Beijing, as his administration crafted retaliatory measures over the outbreak.

from Reuters: Top News https://reut.rs/2YtcvKa

Half of U.S. states easing coronavirus restrictions as jobless numbers grow

As White House economic reopening guidance expired on Thursday after two weeks in place, half of all U.S. states forged ahead with easing restrictions on restaurants, retail and other businesses in hopes of reviving coronavirus-stricken commerce.

from Reuters: Top News https://reut.rs/2y61nZi

Most of U.S. House urges more diplomacy at U.N. to renew Iran arms embargo: sources

Nearly 90% of U.S. House of Representatives members have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to increase its diplomatic action at the United Nations to renew an arms embargo on Iran, congressional sources said on Thursday.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2VR7WaR

Coronavirus: 'I'm being penalised because I took maternity leave'

Self-employed women say they are missing out on government support as they've recently taken leave.

from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/3bTpngN

Debt warning over car finance payment holidays

Families say they have been trying for six weeks to secure a lockdown car finance payment holiday.

from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2VR7xoR

Half of U.S. states easing coronavirus restrictions as jobless numbers grow

As White House economic reopening guidance expired on Thursday after two weeks in place, half of all U.S. states forged ahead with easing restrictions on restaurants, retail and other businesses in hopes of reviving coronavirus-stricken commerce.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2YkYK09

U.S. appeals court rules against Trump attempt to withhold funds from 'sanctuary' cities

A U.S. appeals court on Thursday ruled against a Trump administration attempt to withhold millions of dollars from so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/35ickD8

Trump says he could bring back fired ex-national security adviser Flynn

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would consider bringing his fired former national security adviser Michael Flynn, a key figure in the probe into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, back into his administration.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2yXua2c