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International News (601)

19
May

 

 

President  China Xi Jinping stated on  Monday that China supports an independent inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic after it is "brought under control" as Europe accelerated its reopenings with landmarks Saint Peter's Basilica and the Acropolis in Athens welcoming visitors again.  As quoted by AFP.com ( 18/5) after weeks dogged by allegations from the US and elsewhere that Beijing had covered up the virus' origins, Xi insisted during the World Health Assembly that China has "always had an open, transparent and responsible attitude. More than 4.7 million people have tested positive and 315,270 killed by the disease since it emerged in Wuhan late last year. Russia offered a glimpse of hope as it reported that growth in new cases had been halted, and US biotech firm Moderna reported "positive interim" results in the first clinical tests of its vaccine against the new coronavirus//AFP

18
May

 

 

US President Donald Trump noted a significant decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases across the country in recent days. In late April, the daily increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States stood at around 36,000, while starting from May the daily number of new cases of the infection fluctuates between 18,000 and 27,000. As of 17 May, nearly 1,470,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the United States, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows. The number of fatalities stands at 89,000 and around 270,000 patients have recovered//sputnik

18
May

 

 

Italy and Spain are among a number of European countries that are set to further ease their coronavirus lockdown restrictions from Monday. Most businesses in Italy, including bars and hairdressers, will be free to reopen after more than two months of nationwide lockdown measures. Spain is set to relax its restrictions outside of Madrid and Barcelona, with groups of up to 10 people free to meet. The measures follow consistent drops in the number of daily recorded deaths. On Sunday, Italy recorded the fewest daily deaths since it entered lockdown in March. It said 145 people had died with the virus in the previous 24 hours. This marked a significant drop from its highest daily death toll, which was more than 900 on 27 March//bbc

18
May

 

 

The US Air Force has successfully launched its Atlas V rocket, carrying a X-37B space plane for a secretive mission. The rocket launched on Sunday from Cape Canaveral, a day after bad weather halted plans for a Saturday launch.  The aircraft, also known as an Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), will deploy a satellite into orbit and also test power-beaming technology. It is the plane's sixth mission in space. The launch was dedicated to front line workers and those affected by the pandemic. A message including the words "America Strong" was written on the rocket's payload fairing//bbc

18
May

 

 

Shoppers flocked to Thailand's top-end malls on Sunday, eager for retail therapy as shopping centers reopened in a gradual easing of restrictions to revive the virus-ravaged economy. The shopping center relaunch comes with Thailand's infection numbers slowing in recent weeks -- authorities announced three new cases Sunday, with the total at just over 3,000. Customers and businesses were advised to adhere to restrictions, which include limits on the number of people allowed in retail spaces and a ban on alcohol sales in restaurants. Cinemas, however, remain closed. The government is also urging retailers and shoppers to check in on a digital platform when entering malls - it will send a message if a coronavirus case is discovered in a specific store//JP

17
May

 

 

Top flight German football kicked off again on Saturday, as the French returned to the beach, and Italy announced a resumption of European tourism, providing much-needed relief, against the relentless drumbeat of death and economic devastation, wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic. The reopening marked the beginning of a tentative return to normality in some of the country worst affected by the global outbreak, which has killed 310,000 people according to official tolls, infecting over 4.5 million. As governments sought to restart economic activity, while treading cautiously amid the lingering -- though in many cases waning -- pandemic, Germany's Bundesliga became the first major European football league to resume. On Saturday all eyes were on the Bundesliga's opening games, which were played to vacant, echoing stadiums. The Bundesliga's return to action behind closed doors, on a day in which Borussia Dortmund hammered local rivals, Schalke in Signal Iduna Park//AFP

17
May

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday, May 16 the state's new confirmed COVID-19 cases are predominantly, coming from people who left their homes to shop, exercise or socialise, rather than from essential workers. State data showed the number of new cases statewide has fluctuated between 2,100 and 2,500 per day. On Saturday, the number of new cases decreased to 2,419, from 2,762 on Friday. Cuomo said while last week he had theorised that new cases were coming from essential workers, "that was exactly wrong". The infection rate among essential workers is lower than the general population and those new cases are coming predominantly from people who are not working and they are at home. The state's budget director, Robert Mujica, said officials expect to learn a lot more about the genesis of new cases from contact tracing over the next week//CNA/Reuters

17
May

Spraying disinfectant on the streets, as practised in some countries, does not eliminate the new coronavirus and even poses a health risk, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Saturday. In a document on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces as part of the response to the virus, the WHO says spraying can be ineffective. The WHO said that streets and pavements are not considered as reservoirs of infection of COVID-19, adding that spraying disinfectants, even outside, can be dangerous for human health. The document also stresses that spraying individuals with disinfectants is not recommended under any circumstances. The organisation is also warning against the systematic spraying and fumigating of disinfectants on to surfaces in indoor spaces, citing a study that has shown it to be ineffective outside direct spraying areas. If disinfectants are to be applied, this should be done with a cloth or wipe that has been soaked in disinfectant, it says//AFP

14
May

 

 

A northeastern Chinese city has partially shut its borders, cut off transport links and closed schools after the emergence of a local coronavirus cluster that has fuelled fears about a second wave of infections in China. As quoted by AFP.com ( 13/5) Jilin, with a population of more than four million, suspended bus services Wednesday and said it will only allow residents to leave the city if they have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past 48 hours and complete an unspecified period of "strict self-isolation". The local government  in a statement stated all cinemas, indoor gyms, internet cafes and other enclosed entertainment venues must shut immediately, and pharmacies must report all sales of fever and antiviral medicines. The city is located in the eponymous province of Jilin, which borders Russia and North Korea//AFP

14
May

 

 

Europe's re-opening gathered pace Wednesday after weeks of coronavirus lockdown, while America's top infectious diseases official warned of uncontrollable new outbreaks if the process happens too quickly in the US,  As quoted by AFP.com ( 13/5) Austria announced its border with Germany would be unlocked following a two-month shutdown and Britons were allowed unlimited outdoor exercise, despite a global death toll closing in on 300,000. Curbs that have confined billions to their homes continued easing but the death toll spiked in some of the world's most populated countries, with Brazil, Russia and the US all reporting bad news. It came as US government expert Anthony Fauci issued a stark warning to Congress about the dangers of resuming normal life too soon, saying a run of 14 days with falling cases was a vital first step//AFP