Thursday 15 October
- UK doctors and health experts back Covid-19 ‘circuit breaker.’
- Coronavirus: France to impose night-time curfew to battle second wave.
- Germany sees 6,638 daily virus cases, highest since start of pandemic.
- Jordan imposes 48-hour lockdown, but with exceptions.
- WHO fears more tuberculosis deaths as COVID-19 pandemic continues.
- There have been more than 216,000 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the US.
UK doctors and health experts back Covid-19 ‘circuit breaker’
The Guardian says hospital doctors and public health experts have backed growing calls for a “circuit breaker” to stem the resurgence of Covid-19 and protect the NHS, as fresh signs of a cabinet split emerged.
As up to 95% of intensive care beds were reported to be full in some hospitals in Liverpool – half with coronavirus patients – growing concerns were raised about the NHS becoming overwhelmed. This week Liverpool said it would scale back non-urgent operations.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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Coronavirus: France to impose night-time curfew to battle second wave
BBC News says the French President has announced a night-time curfew in Paris and eight other cities to try to curb the rapid spread of coronavirus.
The measure – from 21:00 to 06:00 – will come into effect from Saturday and last for at least four weeks, Mr Macron said in a televised interview.
A public health emergency has also been declared.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Germany sees 6,638 daily virus cases, highest since start of pandemic
France24 says new cases of coronavirus infections in Germany have soared to 6,638 in the past 24 hours, official data showed Thursday, reaching a daily level not seen since the start of the pandemic.
The alarming jump in numbers came just hours after Angela Merkel met with the leaders of Germany’s 16 federal states to agree tougher restrictions designed to slow the spread of the contagion.
Read the full story on France24
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Jordan imposes 48-hour lockdown, but with exceptions
Arab News says Jordan will impose a 48-hour lockdown starting Friday but with exceptions, state news agency Petra reported.
The National Center for Security and Crisis Management said travellers and passengers arriving from abroad with one companion are exempt from the ruling, but a copy of their travel ticket must be presented.
Read the full story on Arab News
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WHO fears more tuberculosis deaths as COVID-19 pandemic continues
Aljazeera says the WHO has warned of a “dramatic increase” in tuberculosis (TB) deaths in the coming years, as a result of the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a continuing shortage of funds in its annual report on global efforts to combat the disease.
The WHO said there were “significant reductions” in the reporting and monitoring of new TB cases in the first half of 2020, as countries imposed lockdowns to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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There have been more than 216,000 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the US
CNN says there have been at least 7,907,677 cases of coronavirus in the US and at least 216,632 people have died from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University’s tally of cases.
So far on Wednesday, Johns Hopkins has reported 51,072 new cases and 745 reported deaths.
The totals include cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other US territories, as well as repatriated cases.
Read the full story on CNN
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A quick look at the top stories this morning!
Covid: Trump’s son Barron had coronavirus, says first lady
BBC News says Donald Trump’s 14-year-old son Barron contracted coronavirus but has since tested negative, First Lady Melania Trump revealed.
Mrs Trump said her “fear came true” when Barron tested positive for Covid-19.
But, she said, “luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms”.
Portugal records surge in racist violence as far-right rises
The Guardian says over the summer, Mamadou Ba, the head of an anti-racist organisation in Lisbon, received a letter. “Our goal is to kill every foreigner and anti-fascist – and you are among our targets,” it read. A few weeks later, it was followed up with a message telling him to leave Portugal or let his family face the consequences. That message was accompanied by a bullet casing.
Ethiopian Airlines privatisation “temporarily” halted
Africanews following a review of its Flag Carrier, Ethiopia has “temporarily” suspended plans to partially privatise Ethiopian Airlines.
The announcement was made by Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide. He said the airline company has continued to generate much needed foreign currency for the country amid the pandemic.
Turkey bans Kurdish-language play from Istanbul theatre, organisers say
Euronews says Turkish authorities have banned a Kurdish-language play from a municipal theatre in Istanbul, according to organisers.
“Beru”, a Kurdish translation of the play “Horn and Trumpets… and Petarades” by famous Italian writer Dario Fo, was included in the Istanbul Municipal Theatre’s October programme.
Malaysia opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim summoned by police over list of backers for PM bid
CNA says Malaysian police on Thursday said they have summoned opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to assist investigations into a viral list of federal lawmakers allegedly backing his bid to become prime minister.
