by Mariëtte Le Roux PARIS, France (AFP) — Nearly 260 million children had no access to schooling in 2018, a United Nations agency said in a report Tuesday that blamed poverty and discrimination for educational inequalities that are being exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak. Children from poorer communities as well as girls, the disabled, immigrants and ethnic minorities were at a distinct educational disadvantage in many countries, the UN’s Paris-based education body UNESCO said. In […]
Tag: health
WHO urges rapid dexamethasone production for coronavirus patients
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The World Health Organization called Monday for a rapid increase in production of the steroid dexamethasone, after British clinical trials found it has life-saving potential for critically-ill coronavirus patients. “The next challenge is to increase production and rapidly and equitably distribute dexamethasone worldwide, focusing on where it is needed most,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual news conference in Geneva. © Agence France-Presse
NBA sets dates for virus return with October finals: reports
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The NBA has settled upon key dates for the upcoming resumption of its coronavirus-halted 2019-20 season, including an October NBA Finals and NBA Draft, according to multiple reports Saturday. ESPN and The Athletic said a league memo to clubs set August 25 for the NBA Draft Lottery, October 16 for the 2020 NBA Draft and October 18 for the start of free agency, although no signings can start until […]
WHO warns of ‘accelerating’ pandemic as Brazil reaches 50,000 deaths
by Mohamad Ali Harissi with Isabelle Tourne in Paris DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — The World Health Organization sent out a fresh warning on Monday over the dangers of the new coronavirus even as France returned to life by staging an annual music festival and sending millions of children back to school. In spite of numerous European countries further easing their lockdown restrictions, cases around the world are rising especially in Latin America with […]
Netherlands records no virus deaths, first time since March
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — Dutch health authorities Monday reported no new deaths overnight resulting from the coronavirus pandemic for the first time since the beginning of March. Officially the Netherlands has reported 49,658 cases of infection, with 69 people testing positive over the last 24 hours. In all 6,090 people have died. “There has been no report of any deaths,” the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said on its website. The RIVM warned […]
French pupils return for ‘obligatory’ school after virus closure
PARIS, France (AFP) — French schools opened their doors to greet pupils on Monday for what the government says is two weeks of obligatory lessons before the summer break, although many parents may yet defy the decision and keep their children at home. Schools began reopening when the government eased its lockdown rules six weeks ago, but parents were allowed to keep their children at home and a strict health protocol meant that classes could […]
Croatia’s Borna Coric tests positive for coronavirus
PARIS, France (AFP) — Croatia’s Borna Coric announced on Monday he has tested positive for coronavirus after playing in an exhibition tournament featuring world number one Novak Djokovic. “Hi everyone, I wanted to inform you all that I tested positive for COVID-19,” the top 50 player posted on Twitter. On Sunday, another player, Grigor Dimitrov, said he had tested positive after pulling out of the exhibition event. © Agence France-Presse
Saudi ends virus lockdown despite spike in infections
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia on Sunday ended a nationwide coronavirus curfew and lifted restrictions on businesses, including hair salons and cinemas, after three months of stringent curbs, despite a spike in infections. International flights and religious pilgrimages, however, remain suspended and social gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited, according to the interior ministry. But Saudi Arabia’s General Commission for Audiovisual Media announced the reopening of cinemas across the kingdom with […]
Fears of second virus wave in Australia’s second city
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Australians were warned Monday to avoid travelling to Melbourne, as the country’s second biggest city tightened coronavirus restrictions amid fears of a second wave of the epidemic. Victoria state has recorded more than 110 cases in the past week — many of them in Melbourne — prompting leaders of other regions to warn against visiting the city’s six designated virus “hot spots”. The premier of neighbouring New South Wales state, Gladys […]
With no flights, Argentine sails across Atlantic to see parents
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (AFP) — “Mission accomplished!” That joyful declaration came from Juan Manuel Ballestero, an Argentine sailor who, unable to fly home from Portugal due to the pandemic, crossed the ocean alone in his modest sailboat to see his aging parents. “I did it! I did it! I did it!” Ballestero exclaimed at dockside last week when he reached his hometown of Mar del Plata. The 47-year-old had completed an exhausting 85-day odyssey […]
I’m so sorry’: Dimitrov tests positive for coronavirus after playing in Djokovic event
PARIS, France (AFP) — Grigor Dimitrov said on Sunday he has tested positive for coronavirus after pulling out of an exhibition tournament which also featured world number one Novak Djokovic. “I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19,” world number 19 Dimitrov wrote on Instagram. “I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and […]
Dubai ports giant ‘prepares for worst’ as virus impact looms
by Sarah Stewart and Omar Hasan DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — The giant Dubai-based ports operator DP World is “preparing for the worst” in the months ahead, as coronavirus inflicts the heaviest blow on global trade since World War II. However, the firm which runs port and logistics operations in 54 countries is still hungry for revenue-generating acquisitions, its chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem told AFP in an interview. Already one of the most […]





