Spanish lockdown likely into May, though coronavirus deaths slow
Spain’s prime minister warned on Thursday that nationwide confinement would likely last until May even though he said the worst should soon be over as the death toll slowed from one of the world’s most devastating coronavirus’ outbreaks.
Europe could fall, Italy warns as divided EU seeks coronavirus rescue deal
The European Union faces an existential threat if it cannot come together to combat the coronavirus crisis, Italy said on Thursday as the divided bloc sought to salvage talks on a rescue package to aid battered economies.
Turkey’s fight against coronavirus fails to heal divisions, opponents say
President Tayyip Erdogan has evoked Turkey’s war of independence in calls for unity against the coronavirus, but opposition parties say their exclusion from fund-raising efforts and the detention of government critics is instead fuelling division.
Passover in Israel looks like Yom Kippur – roads empty due to coronavirus
Israel’s highways, intersections and back streets were deserted during Passover on Thursday, as coronavirus restrictions and a holiday curfew left the country looking more like Yom Kippur, when almost all road traffic stops.
250-year-old U.S. Easter tradition’s horns silenced by coronavirus pandemic
(This April 9 story corrects title of the Rev. Chaz Snider to chair of the Salem Congregation Board of Elders; corrects to show that the service is sponsored by 12 Moravian congregations)
Bulgarian churches to remain open on Palm Sunday, Easter
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Thursday that Bulgaria’s Orthodox churches and temples will be open for traditional Palm Sunday and Easter services despite the coronavirus outbreak, saying many people were desperate and in low spirits.
Botswana’s entire parliament quarantined after coronavirus scare
All Botswana’s parliamentarians including President Mokgweetsi Masisi will be quarantined for 14 days and tested for the new coronavirus, after a health worker screening lawmakers for the virus herself tested positive.
Slovakia closes off five Roma settlements due to coronavirus
Slovakia has closed off several Roma settlements in the eastern part of the country after reports of a cluster of coronavirus cases in five of them, highlighting difficulties faced by Europe’s largest ethnic minority during the pandemic.
England’s coronavirus hospital death toll rises 765 to 7,248
The coronavirus death toll in English hospitals rose 765 to 7,248, the health service said on Thursday.
UK PM Johnson improving but still in intensive care in COVID-19 fight
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a good night and is getting better four days after being admitted to hospital with COVID-19, but he remains in intensive care as his government reviews the most stringent shutdown in Britain’s peacetime history.
