Coronavirus: Okanagan band hits bright note with cover of Canadian classic

An Okanagan band has put their own, freshly-sanitized touch on a familiar tune.

A cover band, The Feels were a regular at live music venues throughout the valley before social distancing closures were put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

US accused of 'hijacking' coronavirus supplies

Shortage of medical protective gear prompts bidding war amid claims the US is using unscrupulous tactics to take its share.

Countries and even cities are competing for supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves and gowns, for healthcare workers.

The global shortage of the equipment amid the coronavirus pandemic has led to a bidding war between countries.

Al Jazeera’s Sara Khairat reports.

Coronavirus lockdowns hit flower farms in Kenya

The flower producers say more than 30,000 casual workers have already been sent home, and tens of thousands more workers stand to lose their jobs in the weeks ahead.

The jobs of millions of people all over the world are hanging in the balance as a result of the pandemic.

Tens of thousands of low-paid workers at flower farms have already lost their jobs in Kenya because of a lack of demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of them are sole earners and many of them now do not know how will they feed their families.

Al Jazeera’s Malcolm Webb reports from Kenya.

Alberta asks First Nations to resume industry consultations after coronavirus pause

The Alberta government has asked about 30 First Nations to resume consultations with resource companies seeking approval on new projects, lifting a pause that was meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Fearing COVID-19 resurgence, China asks people to stay vigilant

From next week, domestic travel will be allowed but while cities in China slowly ease restrictions, countries around the region are doing the opposite, fearful of new clusters of the disease emerging.

The Chinese government is warning people in the city of Wuhan to stay indoors amid concerns over a resurgence of coronavirus infections. It follows the imposition of a lockdown on 600,000 residents in neighbouring Henan province.

Al Jazeera’s Jessica Washington reports.

Retailers, restaurants not sold on Saskatchewan measures for reopening

While the reopening of Saskatchewan’s economy is still weeks away, businesses are already working out their strategy for when doors open.

On April 23, Premier Scott Moe laid out the provincial government’s five-phase plan.

Workers in Libya struggle under oil blockade

Despite the dramatic fall in petroleum prices globally, oil revenues remain the backbone of Libya’s economy as almost 30 percent of its six million people rely on state salaries.

In Libya, millions are battling the threat of the coronavirus as well as the effects of the continuing fighting.

A blockade of oil terminals in eastern Libya has seen the government lose millions of dollars a day in revenue since January.

This has meant government employees have not been paid for months and inflation in food prices are on the rise.

Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed reports from the capital Tripoli.

US recommends face masks, Trump says he will not follow advice

US health officials tell people to wear face masks as infections soar past a quarter of a million.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending Americans wear masks in public to protect against the coronavirus.

But President Donald Trump says wearing masks is voluntary, and that he has chosen not to follow that advice.

The United States is now the global epicentre of the pandemic, with more than 277,000 confirmed cases.

Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi reports from Washington, DC.

UK health secretary pledges 100,000 coronavirus tests per day

Britain’s numbers are increasing exponentially with the death rate doubling every three days.

The United Kingdom has pledged to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests per day by the end of April.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has set out a new “five-pillar” strategy after days of intense scrutiny over failures with the current regimen.

A total of 569 deaths were reported in the UK in the past 24 hours.

Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull reports from London.

CFL player’s assocation seeks answers from league as COVID-19 shutdown continues

The Canadian Football League Players’ Association is asking for more cooperation from the league during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CFLPA president and Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Solomon Elimimian said the CFL and the players’ association were having regular conversations on how to deal with the pandemic, up until recently.

Thousands of Indonesians journey home, despite virus warnings

Nearly 90 percent of Indonesians are Muslim and usually return to their home villages at the end of Ramadan to celebrate Eid with their families.

Indonesian authorities are urging millions of citizens not to travel back to their hometowns to celebrate next month’s Muslim festival of Eid.

But with so many out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic, many are desperate to get out of the capital, despite the risk of taking an infection with them.

Already, thousands have made the journey this week from transport hubs in Jakarta, Indonesia, where Al Jazeera’s Jessica Washington has this report.

Al Jazeera asks Trump if US will help Iran face COVID-19

Calls mount for Washington to ease sanctions that have crippled Iran.

The war against the coronavirus pandemic is a life-and-death fight for nations.

But Iran is waging it with an economy badly crippled by United States sanctions that have left Tehran bereft of financial resources to mount an effective public health response.

Al Jazeera’s White House Correspondent Kimberly Halkett asks President Trump whether he will support Iranians as they struggle with the coronavirus.