Europe

Merkel calls coronavirus ‘biggest challenge since WWII’

by Michelle FITZPATRICK / Tom BARFIELD BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Germany is facing its biggest challenge “since the Second World War” in the fight against the coronavirus, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday, in what observers called a “final warning” for citizens to heed sweeping confinement measures. In a dramatic television appeal, Merkel said everyone played a part in slowing down a pandemic that has raced across the globe and triggered unprecedented peace-time lockdowns. “The situation […]

Continue Reading →

France reports 89 new coronavirus deaths in last 24 hours: official

PARIS, France (AFP) — The coronavirus epidemic has caused 89 new deaths across France over the last 24 hours bringing the total death toll in the country to 264, the top French health official said on Wednesday. “We have an epidemic that is rapidly becoming more serious,” Jerome Salomon told reporters, adding that France now had 9,134 confirmed cases, 3,626 of whom were in the hospital. He said that the number of new cases was […]

Continue Reading →

WHO chief calls COVID-19 ‘enemy against humanity’

by Nina LARSON GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The head of the World Health Organization on Wednesday called the new coronavirus an “enemy against humanity”, as the number of people infected in the pandemic soared past 200,000. Worldwide fatalities topped 8,000 and more deaths have now been recorded in Europe, the new virus epicenter, than in Asia since the outbreak first emerged in China in December. “This coronavirus is presenting us with an unprecedented threat,” Tedros […]

Continue Reading →

French police hand out 4,000 fines for violating virus lockdown

PARIS, France (AFP) — French police handed out over 4,000 fines Wednesday to people found violating an order to stay at home, on the first full day of a lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus in the country. “Since this morning, we have begun procedures and 4,095 people were booked (for violating the rules),” Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told TF1 television. “The fine was 35 euros ($38) yesterday, and now from today […]

Continue Reading →

Pandemic could make another 25 million jobless: UN

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The COVID-19 pandemic will significantly increase global unemployment, pushing up to nearly 25 million more people out of work, the United Nations said Wednesday. “The economic and labor crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by almost 25 million,” the International Labour Organization said as it released a fresh study. It added however that an internationally coordinated policy response could “significantly lower” that number. © Agence France-Presse

Continue Reading →

More than 850 million students worldwide not at school: UNESCO

PARIS, France (AFP) — More than 850 million young people, or about half the world’s student population, are barred from their school and university grounds because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, UNESCO said Wednesday. Calling it an “unprecedented challenge,” UNESCO said schools had been closed in 102 countries, with partial closures in 11 more — with more closures to come. “Over 850 million children and youth — roughly half of the world’s student population — […]

Continue Reading →

Empty shelves in a Berlin supermarket amid COVID-19 outbreak

Situation in a supermarket in Berlin (Situation im Supermarkt in Berlin ) Aufgenommen am Montag, 16. März, 2020 gegen 12:00 Uhr Mittags.  (Taken on Monday, 16 March 2020 about 12 noon) Die Regale sind leer. Es ist nur noch das vorrätig was da ist. Laut einem Mitarbeiter werden Sie jeden Tag beliefert, aber wissen nicht was an Ware kommt. Lebensmittel die immer ausverkauft sind: Hygiene Artikel wie Toilettenpapier, Mehl, Nudeln , Reis und Konservendosen Brot […]

Continue Reading →

Spain virus cases top 13,700 with nearly 600 deaths

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — The number of people infected by COVID-19 in Spain soared past 13,700 on Wednesday with the number of deaths rising to almost 600, government data showed. “We have 13,716 cases in Spain, which is 2,538 more than yesterday, which implies an increase of 18 percent,” said Fernando Simon, the health ministry’s emergencies coordinator. Over the same 24 hour period, the number of deaths rose to 598, an increase of 107, a […]

Continue Reading →

France reports 27 coronavirus deaths in last 24 hours

PARIS, France (AFP) — French health authorities on Tuesday said that 27 more people had died over the last 24 hours from the coronavirus in the country, bringing the total death toll in France to 175 people. There are now 7,730 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, France’s top health official Jerome Salomon told reporters, a jump of over 1,000 on the day earlier. His comments came as France entered the first day of […]

Continue Reading →

Belgium imposes coronavirus lockdown

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — Belgians must stay at home from midday on Wednesday until at least April 5 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes said on Tuesday. The only residents allowed out will be those needing medical attention, getting exercise or working in some businesses deemed essential, such as food markets and pharmacies, she said. The tougher restrictions in Belgium follow similar measures in neighboring France, as Europe grapples with […]

Continue Reading →

Two COVID-19 cases at World Health Organization headquarters

  GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — Two cases of COVID-19 have been registered at the World Health Organization headquarters, a spokesman said Tuesday. The WHO, based in the Swiss city of Geneva, is coordinating the international response to the new coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 180,000 people and killed more than 7,000 across 145 countries. “We do have two staff confirmed with symptoms of COVID-19,” spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters at a virtual press […]

Continue Reading →

French lockdown of population begins in bid to curtail coronavirus

PARIS, France (AFP) — A strict lockdown requiring most people in France to remain at home came into effect at midday Tuesday, prohibiting all but essential outings in a bid to curb the coronavirus spread. The government has said tens of thousands of police will patrol streets and issuing fines of 38 to 135 euros ($42-$150) for people without a written declaration to justify their reasons for being out. President Emmanuel Macron announced the measure […]

Continue Reading →
1 … 290 291 292 293 294 … 476