SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un slammed his country's response to its first officially confirmed COVID-19 outbreak as "immature," accusing government officials of inadequacies and inertia as fever cases swept the country, state media reported on Wednesday.

Canada's transport minister on Tuesday moved to quash rumors the government had asked airlines to cut back flights, but said authorities were working to address the long lines travelers were suffering at the nation's airports.

CARACAS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the country's opposition were expected to announce a resumption of talks as Washington eases some sanctions to help smooth the way for the negotiations, according to U.S. officials and others familiar with the matter.

OUGADOUGOU (Reuters) -Rescue workers have found no survivors in a rescue chamber deep inside a flooded zinc mine in Burkina Faso, the government and the mine owner said on Tuesday, all but extinguishing hope that eight missing miners could still be alive after a month.

Canadians are not preoccupied with constitutional change, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters as Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla kicked off their Canadian tour in the eastern province of Newfoundland on Tuesday.

Cubans in Havana on Tuesday celebrated the Biden administration's decision to ease Trump-era restrictions on remittances and travel to the island, a crack in the door that comes as its government wrestles with economic crisis and a mass exodus of its citizens to the United States.

Taiwan should be allowed to attend a World Health Organization assembly next week, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday, arguing the democratically governed island's exclusion at China's behest was unwarranted and a concern for global health.

Actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are suing each other for defamation, each claiming they were abused before and during their roughly two-year marriage. A Virginia jury is hearing the case, which is expected to run through late May.

Slovak Finance Minister Igor Matovic said on Tuesday he would propose a special tax on Russian crude processed in the country, clashing with a government coalition partner as he seeks to raise budget revenue for the state's anti-inflation measures.

Lebanon's next parliament will feature fragmented blocs including a smaller share of seats for Hezbollah and its allies, a more empowered pro-Saudi party and a surprise showing for reform-minded first-time MPs.