GLOBAL COVID-19 TODAY
CORONAVIRUS CASES: 14,858,918
DEATHS: 613,352
RECOVERED: 8,911,311
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Coronavirus: Above-inflation pay rise for almost 900,000 public sector workers
BBC News says almost 900,000 public sector workers, many of whom have fought on the front line against coronavirus, are to get an above-inflation pay rise.
Doctors, teachers and police officers are among those who will receive salary increases of up to 3.1% in 2020/21.
The cash will come from existing departmental budgets.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Make masks compulsory in GP Surgeries to reduce Covid-19 risk, BMA urges
The Guardian says face masks should be compulsory in GP surgeries to minimise the spread of Covid-19, according to one of the top representative bodies for doctors.
The British Medical Association said that compelling people to cover their face while in shops or on public transport but not in a GP practice is “illogical” and “makes no sense”.
It wants the government to change the law to make that mandatory, as they have already done after disagreements between ministers over their approach – for those other settings
Read the full story on The Guardian
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EU leaders adopt Covid-19 rescue package after marathon summit
France24 says EU leaders reached a deal on a massive stimulus plan for their coronavirus-blighted economies at a pre-dawn meeting on Tuesday after a fractious summit that went through the night and into its fifth day.
Summit chairman Charles Michel tweeted “Deal” shortly after the 27 leaders reached agreement at a 5.15 a.m. (0315 GMT) plenary session.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted “A historic day for Europe!” after the deal was reached.
Read the full story on France24
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Tokyo set to report around 230 new covid-19 cases
Japan Times says Tokyo is expected to report about 230 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, Gov. Yuriko Koike said, surpassing 200 for the first time in three days.
The metropolitan was due to announce the exact figure later in the day. Tokyo reported 168 cases on Monday.
Infections are “spreading across various age groups,” Koike told reporters Monday, warning elderly residents to stay alert.
Osaka Prefecture reported 49 positive cases the day after confirming 89 cases, the second-highest figure for the western prefecture.
Read the full story on Japan Times
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Romanian doctors fight surge in virus cases and conspiracy theories
Arab News says after almost four months of treating coronavirus patients in the city of Timisoara, doctor Virgil Musta is not only facing a surge in new daily cases, but also a string of conspiracy theories.
“People are not respecting the rules any more,” the 62-year-old told AFP. “Three weeks ago we had one new case a day, now we have about 40.”
In a country where doctors rarely speak out, Musta has become a constant presence on social media and the local press, talking about his work at Victor Babes hospital.
Read the full story on Arab News
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US coronavirus deaths, cases and hospitalisations continue to climb
Aljazeera says the US leads the world in the number of COVID-19 deaths and cases, as states scramble to respond to resurgence.
The city of Chicago reimposed some coronavirus restrictions on Monday and the state of Florida reported more than 10,000 new cases for the sixth day in a row, as the coronavirus pandemic raged across the United States.
In a rare ray of hope, New York state reported the fewest hospitalisations from the coronavirus in four months and New York City entered a new phase of reopening on Monday. But the progress – in the very city and state that was once the epicentre – was eclipsed by the grim news nearly everywhere else.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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ARTS & ENT
Nicki Minaj announces pregnancy with new baby bump photos
Sky News says Nicki Minaj has revealed she is pregnant with her first child.
The rapper, 37, shared a series of extravagant photos on her Instagram account which showed her cradling her bump while wearing a floral bikini, high heels and colourful wigs.
One of the photos was captioned “#Preggers”, while on another she wrote: “Love. Marriage. Baby carriage. Overflowing with excitement & gratitude. Thank you all for the well wishes.”
Read the full story on Sky News
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SPORTS
‘I have all the respect for what Arsenal are on the pitch, not much off the pitch’
BBC Sports says Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he respects Arsenal on the pitch – but he cannot say the same about how the Gunners conduct themselves off it.
A week after Manchester City learned their two-year European ban had been overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), tensions are still running high.
Some senior figures within the game are annoyed City have not been punished for Financial Fair Play regulation breaches, while the club are angry at the behaviour of some of their rivals.
Read the full story on BBC Sports
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