Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russia registered a near record in new daily coronavirus cases on Monday as total infections topped 145,000, cementing its position as the European country reporting the most new cases. Health officials said there were 10,581 new infections over the last 24 hours, only 52 fewer than …
Read More »Europe emerges from lockdown as global virus cases top 3.5m
Rome, Italy | AFP | Millions of Europeans emerged with relief from coronavirus confinement on Monday, with hard-hit Italy leading the way out of the world’s longest lockdown. At least 3.5 million people are now known to have been infected, but US President Donald Trump offered hope for an end …
Read More »English FA bracing for long spell without fans
London, United Kingdom | AFP | English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke does not believe fans will be allowed into stadiums “any time soon” and has warned that the coronavirus crisis could cost the governing body £300 million ($373 million). Football across England has been indefinitely suspended, with the 2019/20 season in all leagues below …
Read More »Pogba using lockdown to prepare for return after injury woes
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is using the coronavirus lockdown to step up his return to fitness after an injury-plagued season. Pogba had made just eight appearances for United this season before the health crisis forced the suspension of the Premier League in March. The French World Cup winner …
Read More »Recovery strategy for tourism
What the sector requires to manage blow from coronavirus | ISSAHAKU ADAM AND ALBERT N. KIMBU | Tourism has become an important economic sector for most African countries in the last two decades. There has been increased investments in product development and enhancement, aggressive marketing, coupled with appropriate business-friendly socio-political …
Read More »US says ‘evidence’ virus came from China lab as Europe eases lockdown
Washington, United States | AFP | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said “enormous evidence” showed the new coronavirus originated in a lab in China, further fueling tensions with Beijing over its handling of the outbreak. Pompeo’s comments came as Europe and parts of the United States prepared to …
Read More »Oil starts week on back foot as rally loses steam
Singapore, Singapore | AFP | Oil prices fell on Monday after strong gains last week, with continued concerns about oversupply and storage capacity due to a coronavirus-triggered demand shock overshadowing massive output cuts. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate fell about eight percent to trade at $18.19 a barrel. International benchmark Brent crude fell three percent …
Read More »Trump to take pandemic victory lap in TV ‘town hall’
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump will wrap himself in the mantle of America’s arguably greatest president with a television extravaganza Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial meant to leave the coronavirus crisis behind and relaunch his election campaign. The businessman Republican is doing poorly in most polls ahead of …
Read More »Robots and cameras: China’s sci-fi quarantine watch
Beijing, China | AFP | Robots delivering meals, ghostly figures in hazmat suits and cameras pointed at front doors: China’s methods to enforce coronavirus quarantines have looked like a sci-fi dystopia for legions of people. Authorities have taken drastic steps to ensure that people do not break isolation rules after China …
Read More »‘Keep going’: Syrian refugees use war resilience to confront virus
Paris, France | AFP | It is not the first catastrophe they have faced. But while today’s global pandemic bears no resemblance to Syria’s almost decade-long civil war, some refugees believe their experience of violence and exile helps them deal with the anxiety sparked by the novel coronavirus. AFP interviewed four …
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