North America

New York city closes public schools over virus concerns

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday announced the closure of public schools in America’s biggest city, bowing to pressure after strongly resisting the move aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic. “I regret to announce that as of tomorrow our public schools will be closed,” de Blasio told a news conference, saying they would stay shuttered until April 20, and potentially for the remainder of the school year. […]

Puerto Rico decrees night-time curfew over coronavirus

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — The US territory of Puerto Rico on Sunday ordered a 9:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, the strongest measure yet taken on American soil. It took effect immediately and lasts until March 30. “Faced with the possibility of transmission and propagation of the virus, I have ordered the imposition of a curfew for all residents of Puerto Rico,” Governor Wanda Vazquez announced […]

Pistons player tests positive for coronavirus

  LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Detroit Pistons player Christian Wood has tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the third NBA player to contract COVID-19. The Pistons, without identifying Wood, issued a statement on Saturday saying that one of their players had tested positive. Woods’ agent Adam Pensack told the Detroit News on Saturday that his client is the one, adding “he feels 100 percent fine.” “A player on the Detroit Pistons, who is […]

Prime Minister Trudeau, in quarantine, telegoverns Canada

  by Michel COMTE / Eric THOMAS Agence France Presse OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — His children play with Lego in their rooms, his wife spends a lot of time on the phone: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday offered a glimpse into the Canadian first family’s COVID-19 quarantine while reassuring an anxious nation that he continues to govern. “I want to be clear. I have no symptoms. I’m feeling good. Technology allows me to work […]

US declares emergency as new virus epicenter Europe locks down

  by Sebastian SMITH and AFP bureaus Agence France Presse US President Donald Trump declared a national state of emergency as the World Health Organization named Europe the new epicenter of the coronavirus Friday, with countries sealing borders, shutting schools and canceling events in a frenzied attempt to slow the ballooning pandemic. Wall Street stocks rallied as financial markets endured a rollercoaster ride after a week of spectacular losses triggered by fears that the deadly […]

“United we stand, divided we fall” – Jack Ma offers 500,000 test kits, 1 million masks to US amid virus crisis

  (Eagle News) – “United we stand, divided we fall.” Noted Chinese billionaire and business magnate Jack Ma said this in a statement on Friday, March 13, as he offered to give half a million testing kits and a million face masks to the United States. This was after the US — where confirmed coronavirus cases hit more than 1,200 and 33 deaths due to the virus — reported a severe shortage of testing kits […]

China, US spar over origin of coronavirus

  by Jing Xuan TENG Agence France Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — A Chinese government campaign to cast doubt on the origin of the coronavirus pandemic is fuelling a row with the United States, with a Beijing official promoting conspiracy theories and Washington calling it the “Wuhan virus”. The spat comes as China tries to deflect blame for the contagion and reframe itself as a country that took decisive steps to buy the world time […]

Canada PM’s wife tests positive for new coronavirus

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said late Thursday. “Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. The test came back positive,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. “Following medical advice, she will remain in isolation for the time being. She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild,” it said. “The Prime […]

Philippines diplomat is first coronavirus case at UN HQ

A Philippine diplomat in New York has tested positive for the new coronavirus in the first recorded case at United Nations headquarters in the city, diplomatic sources said on Thursday. The diplomat, who had last visited the UN on Monday, showed symptoms of flu the following day and saw a doctor. “She got the call today that she tested positive for COVID-19,” said a letter from the Philippines mission. “As of today, the Philippine mission […]

‘Don’t panic’ says US woman who recovered from coronavirus

  by David Albright with Issam Ahmed in Washington Agence France Presse SEATTLE, United States (AFP) — An American woman who has recovered from the novel coronavirus has a simple message for people who are worried: Don’t panic — but do think about high-risk individuals and stay home if you feel ill. Elizabeth Schneider lives in Seattle, the biggest city of Washington state, which has the most deaths in the United States from the disease […]

US President Trump halts travel from Europe in ‘aggressive’ coronavirus response

https://youtu.be/cvGT9ssGKAI   by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump suspended travel from Europe to the United States for 30 days on Wednesday in an “aggressive” effort to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The ban will go into effect from midnight Friday but will not include travelers from Britain, which recently left the European Union, the president said. Americans were also told to reconsider foreign […]

Trump suspends travel from Europe to US in coronavirus crisis

by Sebastian Smith WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday suspended travel from Europe to the United States for 30 days in a “tough” new effort to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has sparked a run on the stock market and is rapidly multiplying. The ban will not include travelers from the United Kingdom, which recently left the European Union, Trump said. In a primetime address from the […]