Thread by @AFP

#BREAKING Spain's equality minister Irene Montero tests positive for #coronavirus: govt

#BREAKING Virus-hit Iran asks IMF for its first loan since 1962

#BREAKING Rome to shut Ciampino airport from Friday night, close terminal at Fiumicino from Tuesday: statement

VIDEO: 🇮🇹 The usually bustling Piazza Navona in Rome has been deserted by tourists and most locals as Italy decided to close all stores except for pharmacies and food shops in a bid to halt the spread of the #COVID19 virus that has killed 827 in the country

#BREAKING COVID-19 a 'controllable pandemic' if countries step up measures to tackle it: WHO chief Tedros

#BREAKING Iran announces 75 new #coronavirus deaths, taking total to 429

#BREAKING UN Human Rights Council to suspend session over COVID-19

#BREAKING Ireland to shut schools from Friday because of #coronavirus: PM

#BREAKING First death in Poland from COVID-19: Poznan deputy mayor

#BREAKING Russian-European Mars mission postponed until 2022 over #coronavirus: Roscosmos

VIDEO: 🇮🇹 Italy has decided to shut all stores except for pharmacies and food shops in a bid to halt the spread of #coronavirus that has killed 827 people in the the country in just over two weeks

#UPDATE Iran said on Thursday that it has sought immediate financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (#IMF) to help it combat one of the world's deadliest #coronavirus outbreaks u.afp.com/35Mm

#BREAKING Spain virus toll soars to nearly 3,000 cases with 84 deaths