Catholics worldwide pray with pope for end to coronavirus pandemic
Catholics around the world joined Pope Francis in praying the rosary on Thursday night to ask God to end the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more people in Italy than anywhere else.
Israel orders citizens to stay home in partial lockdown
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday tightened a national stay-at-home policy, saying police would now enforce restrictions aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus.
Egypt to shut all cafes, malls, sports clubs in evenings until March 31
Egypt said on Thursday it would shut all cafes, shopping malls, sports clubs and nightclubs from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. local time every night until March 31, strengthening measures introduced to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Irish, British PMs pledge to align closely on coronavirus: spokesman
The prime ministers of Ireland and Britain agreed in a phone call on Thursday to align in so far as possible the neighboring countries’ actions to help slow the spread of coronavirus, a spokesman for the Irish government said.
Explainer: What is herd immunity and will it affect the pandemic?
The outbreak of disease caused by the new coronavirus has raised questions about a phenomenon known as “herd immunity” and whether it might play a role in how the pandemic progresses.
Rich nations pump aid into battered economy as coronavirus deaths in Italy overtake China
The world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicenter Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated.
Canada-U.S. border to close as early as Friday; millions overseas trying to return home
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that he expected the closure of the U.S.-Canada border to take effect overnight on Friday and was working with domestic carriers to bring home citizens stranded overseas.
Number of coronavirus cases in Ireland rises to 557 from 366
The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ireland rose to 557 on Thursday from 366 a day earlier, the highest daily increase so far, the health department said.
Irish PM says schools could stay closed until May
Ireland’s schools could stay closed until May with a big rise in coronavirus cases expected over the coming days as testing ramps up, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told a meeting of his Fine Gael party on Thursday.
Canada’s First Nations close borders over coronavirus, using ‘isolation as a strength’
Canadian indigenous communities, already facing poor healthcare options, are closing their own lands’ borders to limit coronavirus exposure as Ottawa dispatches funds and tents to house and isolate sick patients in the country’s chilly north.
