Los Angeles, United States | AFP | The top US health and infectious disease specialist says the key to reopening professional sports leagues in America is to have the athletes play games in front of empty stadiums. Anthony Fauci, who is helping coordinate the US response to the global coronavirus pandemic, …
Read More »For Balkan Roma, hunger is the first curse of coronavirus
Tirana, Albania | AFP | Inside a dark shack outside Albania’s capital, 18-year-old Mirela tries to soothe her newborn with the only food she has: a can of powdered milk scrounged from a rubbish bin. “But what to do after that?” the young mother asks, as she cradles her baby in …
Read More »Saudi takeover promises new dawn for Newcastle at a cost
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Newcastle United fans have long dreamed of ridding the club from owner Mike Ashley, but a potential £300 million ($377 million) takeover backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund presents fans on Tyneside with a different dilemma. Retail tycoon Ashley has been deeply unpopular in …
Read More »Police thy neighbor: Virus fears fuel quarantine shaming
Washington, United States | AFP | Some complain about joggers panting on passers-by. Others wonder what to do when they overhear drunken partygoers rejecting quarantine measures. Still more question whether people they see in the street are really on “essential” business. Local social media networks, long places for recipe swaps and …
Read More »Coronavirus testing in the United States: What you need to know
Washington, United States | AFP | Before lifting lockdowns imposed across the United States in March, experts say we’ll need a massive screening system in place to monitor and respond to localized coronavirus surges. Are we on track? That depends on who you ask. President Donald Trump has boasted the US …
Read More »Bookies seek winning formula ‘to survive’ coronavirus slump
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Bookmakers at an “emergency summit” this month will be trying to find a way to “survive the slump” triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Racing and football, bookmakers’ two key sources of revenue, have come to a standstill across Europe since mid-March with betting shops also …
Read More »UK dismisses 5G/coronavirus claims as ‘nonsense’
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The British government on Wednesday dismissed a TV presenter’s claim that there could be a link between 5G technology and coronavirus as “complete nonsense”. The 5G conspiracy theory, spread widely on social media, has already led to a new telecoms mast being set alight in Ireland at the weekend. …
Read More »UK govt urged to set out lockdown exit plan as toll climbs
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The British government was under pressure Wednesday to set out its plans to end the coronavirus lockdown, as the country’s death toll approached 13,000. Keir Starmer, the new leader of the opposition Labour Party, said it would support the government’s expected decision on Thursday to …
Read More »Emirates launches first rapid virus test for passengers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP | Aviation giant Emirates has launched a 10-minute coronavirus blood test for passengers departing from its Dubai home base, in what it claimed Wednesday as a first for the industry. The airline resumed limited passenger flights earlier this month after the United Arab Emirates grounded all commercial aircraft. The …
Read More »People with COVID-19 may be infectious days before symptoms: study
Paris, France | AFP | People infected with the new coronavirus may start spreading the virus several days before they have any noticeable symptoms, according to a new modelling study published Wednesday. The study comes as nations have broadened restrictions aimed at curbing the epidemic, amid concerns over patients who may …
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