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by Nina LARSON GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The World Health Organization on Monday hailed dwindling COVID-19 infection rates and deaths in some countries, but called on nations to show “extreme vigilance” as they begin loosening their restrictions. Swathes of Europe began the long process of reopening from coronavirus lockdowns on Monday, with officials in countries like France and Spain emboldened by declining death rates. “The good news is that there has been a great deal […]
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (AFP) — A fire at a hospital in Russia’s second city Saint Petersburg has killed at least five people and forced dozens to be evacuated, a source in the emergencies ministry told AFP. “Five people died in the fire, 150 were evacuated,” the source said of the blaze at the Saint George hospital, which news agency TASS reported had been repurposed to treat coronavirus patients. © Agence France-Presse
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korean authorities said Tuesday they were using mobile phone data to trace Seoul nightclub visitors as they try to tackle a coronavirus cluster, promising anonymity to those being tested due to the stigma surrounding homosexuality. The country has been held up as a global model in how to curb the virus, but a spike of new cases, driven by the cluster in venues in Seoul’s Itaewon district — including […]
by Peter Hutchison with Joseph Schmid in Paris and AFP bureaus Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Swathes of Europe as well as New York began the long process of reopening from coronavirus lockdowns on Monday, but a resurgence of infections in China and South Korea offered a sobering reminder of the dangers of a second wave of cases. The mixed fortunes illustrate the high-wire act governments face across the globe […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China reported no new domestic coronavirus infections on Tuesday, after two consecutive days of double-digit increases fuelled fears of a second wave of infections. China has largely brought the virus under control, but it remains on edge, fearful that a second wave could undermine its efforts to get the economy back up and running. A new cluster reappeared over the weekend in the city of Wuhan, where the pandemic first emerged, […]
HARARE. Zimbabwe (AFP) — China on Monday deployed a team of doctors and donated a consignment of medical equipment to Zimbabwe to help the southern African nation’s fight against coronavirus. “The Chinese medical experts will make a contribution to the battle … against the coronavirus,” Chinese ambassador Guo Shaochun said at Robert Mugabe International Airport after the plane bearing 17 doctors and equipment arrived. “This is a very good reflection of the long-standing friendship between […]
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Some areas of New York — the state worst affected by America’s coronavirus outbreak — will be allowed to gradually reopen later this week, but New York City will stay closed until at least June, leaders said Monday. COVID-19 has killed around 22,000 people in New York state, which has been shut down since Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all non-essential businesses ordered closed on March 22. He said three […]
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran warned Sunday of a resurgence of the novel coronavirus as it reported 51 new deaths, almost a month after it started to relax a nationwide lockdown. Authorities reimposed more stringent measures in the southwestern Khuzestan province, reversing a phased return to work meant to revitalize the battered economy. “The situation should in no way be considered normal” in Iran, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in televised remarks. “This virus […]
by Brian KNOWLTON Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Two top US economic advisers on Sunday defended the need for an expeditious reopening of the economy even as the coronavirus reached into the White House despite the extraordinary precautions taken there. The comments by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and economic adviser Larry Kudlow came just two days after the country recorded its steepest job losses in history, with 20.5 million jobs lost in […]
WELLINGTON, United States (AFP) — New Zealand will phase out its coronavirus lockdown over the next 10 days after successfully containing the virus, although some restrictions will remain, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Monday. Ardern said that from Thursday shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas and playgrounds will reopen — with the country moving to Level Two on its four-tier system. The 39-year-old leader warned “none of us can assume COVID is not with us” but said […]
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea announced its highest number of new coronavirus cases for more than a month Monday, driven by an infection cluster in a Seoul nightlife district just as the country loosens restrictions. The nation has been held up as a global model in how to curb the virus, but over the weekend its capital — as well as neighboring Gyeonggi province and the nearby city of Incheon — ordered the […]
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — An Iranian warship was accidentally hit by a missile during exercises in the Gulf of Oman, killing at least one, state television said Monday, amid tensions with the US in the waterway. The friendly fire incident involving the Konarak vessel occurred on Sunday afternoon near Bandar-e Jask, off the southern coast of the Islamic republic, it said on its website. One report said the vessel had sunk after being hit by […]
