Germany’s Merkel backs WHO as calls for more coronavirus cooperation
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed the need for more global cooperation to tackle the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday and voiced support for the World Health Organisation after the United States cut its funding.
French town’s empty main street tells tale of virus impact
The COVID-19 outbreak forced Shirley Lind to close the hairdressing salon she runs in a French town near the German border. She has instead been volunteering as a porter at her local hospital.
Britain cannot ease up on lockdown at this dangerous stage: minister
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain could not risk the progress it made in fighting the cororonavirus pandemic by easing up on restrictions at this “delicate and dangerous stage”, as he announced an extension to the lockdown.
UK needs virus restrictions to stay, says science chief
Britain is in a “good place” in tackling the coronavirus outbreak but social distancing must be maintained for it to continue, chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said on Thursday.
Prayers at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque compound suspended for Ramadan: Muslim clerics
Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque compound will be closed to Muslim worshippers throughout the holy fasting month of Ramadan due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Jordan-appointed council that oversees Islam’s third-holiest site said on Thursday.
Spain considers summer school for quarantined children, coronavirus deaths rise
Spain reported another substantial increase in daily deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday, taking the overall toll to more than 19,000, but figures from the region of Catalonia suggest the true total could be several thousand higher.
Mime artist breaks silence to give coronavirus health tips in Cairo
Wearing white face paint, stripy top and bright red spectacle frames, Ahmed Naser stands in a street in Cairo distributing face masks and health advice to passing children.
Putin postpones milestone Victory Day military parade over coronavirus
President Vladimir Putin, citing the deepening coronavirus crisis, said on Thursday Russia would postpone its May 9 celebrations including a huge military parade across Red Square to mark 75 years since the Soviet victory in World War Two.
Mass COVID-19 testing underway at stricken Belgian care homes
Belgium has begun testing more than 210,000 residents and staff at nursing homes, which now account for about half of the coronavirus-related deaths in the country.
Singapore reports 728 new virus cases in biggest daily jump, total 4,427
Singapore’s health ministry confirmed 728 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, a new daily record, taking the total in the city-state to 4,427.
