by Alice RITCHIE / Phil HAZLEWOOD / Joe JACKSON Agence France-Presse London, United Kingdom (AFP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government on Tuesday unveiled a huge package of support for businesses to help them survive the introduction of tough new social measures to stem the coronavirus outbreak. The Conservative leader said Britain needed to act “like any wartime government”, as finance minister Rishi Sunak unveiled a £330 billion ($400 billion, 363 billion euros) package of […]
Other News
Alert level 2 maintained over Taal
(Eagle News)–An alert level 2 remains hoisted over Taal. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said activity in the main crater in the past 24 hours has been characterized by “a weak emission of steam-laden plumes rising 50 meters high before drifting southwest.” The Taal Volcano Network also recorded eleven volcanic earthquakes that “are associated with rock fracturing processes beneath and around the edifice,” PHIVOLCS said. PHIVOLCS reminded the public that at Alert Level […]
Staying positive amid COVID-19 outbreak in Luxembourg
(Eagle News) — Amid the rising cases of the coronavirus disease worldwide, people in the midst of the crisis are trying to stay positive amid the outbreak. In Luxembourg, virus cases have risen to 140. These photos show an empty office cafeteria there. The once bustling food center has empty chairs and tables. Food are packed individually as lunches or snacks, ready just for pick-up by customers to reduce personal contact and prevent […]
Potential breakthrough: Doctors in Australia map body’s COVID-19 immune response
by Patrick GALEY and Marlowe HOOD Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP)—Researchers in Australia said Tuesday they had mapped the body’s immune response to the novel coronavirus, in a potential breakthrough in the fight against the global killer. A team of scientists were able to test blood samples from a patient who had contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized with moderate symptoms. Authors of the study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, said it was the first time […]
New York considering stay-at-home order within 48 hours
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — New York’s mayor said Tuesday the city’s 8.6 million inhabitants should prepare for being ordered to stay at home at any moment within the next 48 hours to help contain the coronavirus pandemic. Bill de Blasio told reporters that a decision had not been made but that New Yorkers could soon be confined to their residences, barring any essential travel. “I think that all New Yorkers should be prepared […]
Turkey confirms first coronavirus death
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — Turkey confirmed its first novel coronavirus-related death on Tuesday as the number of cases in the country rose to 98. “Today, I lost my first patient in our fight against coronavirus,” Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told a televised press conference, adding that the victim was an 89-year-old man who contracted the virus from an employee with connections to China. The minister also said the number of cases had risen from 47 […]
Northeast monsoon affects N. Luzon
Easterlies affect eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (Eagle News)–The northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon, while the easterlies are affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro will have cloudy skies with […]
Trump calls for national unity against coronavirus
by Issam AHMED WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for a unified national response to the coronavirus threat, after coming under fire for downplaying the pandemic and allowing states to go their own way. Trump’s call came as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the White House was presenting a massive economic stimulus plan to Congress and was looking at sending direct payments to all Americans, as well as aid […]
New coronavirus can survive on surfaces for hours: study
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The novel coronavirus can survive on surfaces or in the air for several hours, according to a US-government funded study published Tuesday. Scientists found that the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease had similar levels of viability outside the body to its predecessor that caused SARS. This means that factors like greater transmission between people with no symptoms might be why the current pandemic is far greater than the SARS […]
Gambia announces first coronavirus case
BANJUL, Gambia (AFP) — The Gambia has recorded its first case of coronavirus, the country’s health minister said on Tuesday, after the government also announced measures to contain its spread. In a televised statement, Health Minister Ahmadou Lamin Samateh said officials in the tiny West African state had confirmed infection in a young woman who had recently traveled from the United Kingdom. She went into self-isolation after feeling feverish, before being confirmed as a positive […]
Durant among Brooklyn Nets players diagnosed with COVID-19
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant is reportedly among four Brooklyn Nets players who have tested positive for the new coronavirus and are in isolation.The injured Durant, who has yet to play for the Nets since signing for the club last year, confirmed to The Athletic website he had tested positive for the virus. “Everyone is careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We’re going to get through this,” Durant was quoted as […]
DOH says one of its senior officials has COVID-19
(Eagle News) – The Department of Health announced that one of its senior officials has tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In a statement posted on Tuesday night, March 17 at 10:30 p.m., the DOH said that its “lone confirmed case is a director” and not a member of the DOH Executive Committee contrary to circulating reports. “DOH assures its employees that their safety and health is top priority. Offices have been disinfected […]





