The World Health Organisation has expressed concern about the rising number of new coronavirus cases in poor countries, even as many rich countries have begun emerging from lockdown.

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China barley row to benefit France, Canada

A prohibitive Chinese import tariff on Australian barley will benefit other suppliers without changing the bleak global outlook caused by large stocks and depressed beer demand, analysts and traders say.

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Deadly cyclone cuts power to 5m homes

Millions are in darkness in Bangladesh's coastal districts after fierce winds and rains triggered by cyclone Amphan snapped the power supply to the region, according to the head of Bangladesh's Rural Electricity Board.

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US watchdog firing not retaliation: Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has declined to say why he recommended firing the State Department's inspector general, but added he should have done it earlier and rejected claims his decision was motivated by political retaliation.

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Israeli PM must be at trial start: court

An Israeli court has ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appear for the opening of his criminal trial in Jerusalem.

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Virus circulating in February: Italy study

A study by Milan's Polyclinic hospital indicates the coronavirus was circulating among a random sample of blood donors with no symptoms in Milan before the first domestically transmitted case was confirmed on February 21 in a town less than an hour away.

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French virus deaths on the rise again

French health authorities have reported 110 new coronavirus deaths, an increase of 0.4 per cent, bringing the total to 28,132 - still the fourth-highest in the world behind the US, Britain and Italy.

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Australian Associated Press