Tattoo parlours and hair salons in Denmark. Beaches in Australia. Bookstores in Germany. Nations around the world took advantage Monday of their flattening coronavirus infection curves to tentatively ease lockdowns, edging toward a new yet unknown state of normal amid a devastating pandemic. China, where the virus started its relentless march around the globe late…

Shortly after extending what was already one of the strictest COVID-19 lockdowns by almost another three weeks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured those watching his televised address this week that “the country is in a very well-managed position.”  The situation on the ground, however, suggests otherwise: While proportional to its population of 1.38 billion, India’s COVID-19…

A handful of Eastern Orthodox priests held mass for the Christian holiday of Easter on Sunday in an empty Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem due to restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Eastern Christian rites mark Easter, the day Christians believe Jesus was resurrected after his crucifixion, on…

The latest: Canadian officials acknowledged some regions of the country could be closer to reopening parts of the economy than others, but continued to stress a careful approach as the border closure with the hard-hit United States was extended for another 30 days during the COVID-19 crisis. “Let us be very clear, while we want…

Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Beyonce took part in a global special of music, comedy and personal stories in what Gaga called a “love letter” to front-line workers battling the coronavirus pandemic. The two-hour One World:Together at Home broadcast across multiple television channels around the world, including CBC, featured a Who’s Who of pop culture,…

Hong Kong police arrested at least 14 veteran pro-democracy lawmakers, activists and a media tycoon on Saturday on charges of joining unlawful protests last year calling for reforms. Among those arrested were 81-year-old activist and former lawmaker Martin Lee and democracy advocates Albert Ho, Lee Cheuk-yan and Au Nok-hin. Police also arrested media tycoon Jimmy…