UK has Europe’s second-highest COVID-19 death toll, new figures show
The United Kingdom now has Europe’s second-highest official death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to new figures on Wednesday that cover fatalities in all settings, including in nursing homes.
WHO says it acted ‘quickly and decisively’ on new coronavirus
The chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) defended the agency’s record in its response to the new coronavirus in a news briefing on Wednesday, saying it had acted “quickly and decisively”.
Colombia to offer legal benefits to those who leave gangs
Colombia will offer individuals who leave crime gangs and rebel dissident groups legal benefits including reduced sentences in an effort to weaken illegal armed groups, the Andean country’s high peace commissioner said on Wednesday.
Scientists urge Germans to keep social distancing discipline
Germans must persevere with social distancing or risk exponential growth in the number of coronavirus cases, four leading science institutes said on Wednesday.
Italy’s daily coronavirus death toll falls, new cases stable
Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 323 on Wednesday, against 382 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new infections stood at 2,086, broadly stable from 2,091 on Tuesday.
Saudi malls fill again as kingdom eases coronavirus closures
Saudis began tentatively returning to shopping malls and open-air markets on Wednesday after authorities relaxed restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
As Lebanon’s crisis deepens, politicians trade blame
Lebanese politicians who have led their country into financial disaster are squabbling over who is to blame, stirring up old rivalries that may spell even deeper trouble ahead.
Serbs bang pots to protest government and strict coronavirus measures
For two nights, a cacophony of tin pans, drums, whistles, and horns has reverberated through much of Serbia as citizens, stuck at home under curfew, vent their anger at the government and its tough containment measures to curb the new coronavirus.
Canada’s coronavirus outbreak slows as cases top 50,000, but long fight looms
Canadian hospitals had beds to spare as the country hit 50,373 confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday, and several provinces were relaxing public health measures, but health experts were already worrying about a future wave of infections.
Austrian president’s office briefly cleared after bomb threat
Part of the former imperial palace in central Vienna housing Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen’s office was evacuated on Wednesday after a bomb threat and the president was taken to safety, but police soon gave the all-clear.
