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LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The NBA will suspend play starting on Thursday after a Utah Jazz player preliminarily tested positive for the new coronavirus, the league said Wednesday. The test result was reported shortly before Utah’s game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City was to begin, and that game was abruptly postponed. The league said the affected player was not in the arena. “The NBA is suspending gameplay following the conclusion of tonight’s […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced measures meant to shore up the economy reeling from the coronavirus outbreak, while simultaneously downplaying the situation. He also announced a travel ban for Europe for 30 days, which he indicated would include halting trade. While he touted the strong US economy, Trump urged Congress “to provide Americans with immediate payroll tax relief” to help counteract the impact of the epidemic that has […]
NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — India on Wednesday suspended all tourist visas until April 15 and said it would quarantine travelers arriving from seven virus-hit countries as it attempts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. The move comes as the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic, and as countries worldwide scramble to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. India’s visa suspension begins March 13 at 1200 GMT at the port […]
SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Amazon on Wednesday beefed up paid leave for workers quarantined due to the novel coronavirus or diagnosed with the COVID-19 illness. The company also announced the creation of an Amazon Relief Fund — starting at $25 million — to serve as a pool of grant money for independent delivery drivers, seasonal employees and others losing paychecks due to the pandemic, according to the global internet retailer. “Effective immediately, all […]
by Dmitry ZAKS ROME, Italy (AFP) — Italy on Wednesday shut all stores except for pharmacies and food shops in a desperate bid to halt the spread of a coronavirus that has killed 827 in the country in just over two weeks. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the latest wave of restrictions in a dramatic appeal to the nation that came with the country of 60 million battling its biggest crisis in generations. “Thank you […]
by Robin Millard, with Jastinder Khera in Rome GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The World Health Organization called the new coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on Wednesday, issuing a grim warning that the global spread and severity of the illness was due to “alarming levels of inaction”. The declaration came as Europe faced a mounting number of cases — including a slew of new countries clocking first deaths — prompting governments to roll out increasingly tough measures […]
PARIS, France (AFP) — Aches and pains, sore throat, fever — although they may feel similar to those suffering from their symptoms, the novel coronavirus is not the same as the seasonal flu, experts stressed Wednesday. Mortality COVID-19, the illness caused by a coronavirus, proves deadly in around 3.5 percent of confirmed cases. While this is not the same as its mortality rate, given many people may be infected but not realize it, it is […]
PARIS, France (AFP) — Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: More than 4,500 deaths Since the novel coronavirus first emerged in late December 2019, more than 124,101 cases have been recorded in 113 countries and territories, killing 4,566 people, according to an AFP tally compiled at around 1700 GMT on Wednesday based on official sources. The number of cases in Europe passes 22,000, with 930 deaths. Mainland China has 80,778 cases, with […]
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain unveiled Wednesday a package of stimulus measures worth £30 billion ($39 billion, 34.4 billion euros) to fight the growing threat from the coronavirus epidemic to the economy. “I am announcing today in total a £30-billion fiscal stimulus to support British people, British jobs and British businesses through this moment. And of course, if further action is needed if the situation evolves… I will not hesitate to act,” finance minister […]
MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Coronavirus infections in Spain has passed the 2,000 marks with 47 deaths, the health ministry announced on Wednesday, making it Europe’s second most severe outbreak after Italy. “By this morning, we had 2,002 cases,” said health ministry emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon, up from 1,639 on Tuesday and almost quadruple Sunday’s total. Madrid is the worst-hit region with half of the confirmed cases and 31 of the deaths. Officials quickly unveiled a […]
WARSAW, Poland (AFP) — Poland’s prime minister on Wednesday said the government has decided to close down all educational and cultural facilities for two weeks to stem the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected 25 people in the EU member to date. “The fight against the spread of the virus is a priority for us,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters. He said all schools, nurseries, universities, theatres, cinemas, museums and operas will be […]
VIENNA, Austria (AFP) — Austria said Wednesday it will close its national museums and suspend all remaining trains to neighboring Italy to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. The decision affects rail links from regions in western and southern Austria which border Italy. All long-distance routes — notably overnight trains to Rome, Milan, and Venice — had already been canceled. The country announced on Tuesday the near closure of its land border with its […]
