Wednesday 23 September
- Follow new Covid-19 restrictions or risk second lockdown, PM says.
- Czech Republic appoints new health minister as second Covid-19 lockdown looms.
- Coronavirus cases and deaths rise in Middle East countries.
- Japan to further ease Covid-19 entry curbs, but not for tourists.
- Record rise in weekly Covid-19 cases, but deaths down says WHO.
- US passes 200,000 cases, still rising.
Follow new Covid-19 restrictions or risk second lockdown, PM says
The Guardian says Boris Johnson warned the public to summon their resolve for a tough winter ahead, as he refused to rule out a second national lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Speaking in a televised address after announcing new rules across England he appeared to suggest “freedom-loving” Britons will be to blame if more draconian restrictions are applied.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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Czech Republic appoints new health minister as second Covid-19 lockdown looms
Euronews says with Czech death and infection rates from Covid-19 setting new records, the PM has brought in a new health minister that he hopes is more effective at stemming the rising tide.
Roman Prymula, an outspoken epidemiologist who has been critical of the Czech government’s response in the past, assumes the health minister post as the country adopts stricter lockdown measures he was advocating.
Read the full story on Euronews
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Coronavirus cases and deaths rise in Middle East countries
MEMO says authorities in Arab countries confirmed more cases and deaths Tuesday from the coronavirus outbreak, reports Anadolu Agency.
In Saudi Arabia some 522 people tested positive for the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the overall count to 330,798. At least 30 more fatalities moved the death toll up to 4,542, while the number of recoveries stands at 312,684.
Read the full story on MEMO
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Japan to further ease Covid-19 entry curbs, but not for tourists
Japan Times says Japan is considering allowing more foreigners into the country for longer stays starting as early as next month, while keeping coronavirus entry curbs in place for tourists, the Asahi Shimbun reported Wednesday.
In an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Japan has adopted some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world, with even permanent residents unable to re-enter the country without prior permission.
Read the full story on Japan Times
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Record rise in weekly Covid-19 cases, but deaths down says WHO
Aljazeera says the pandemic appears to be accelerating worldwide, with new cases soaring last week to a new seven-day high of almost 2 million even as new deaths decreased, World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show.
In its latest global update, the UN health body said 1,998,897 new cases of coronavirus had been registered around the world during the week ending on September 20.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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US passes 200,000 cases, still rising
Franc24 says the US death toll from Covid-19 topped 200,000 Tuesday, by far the highest in the world, hitting the once-unimaginable threshold six weeks before an election that is certain to be a referendum in part on President Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis.
Deaths are running at close to 770 a day on average, and a widely cited model from the University of Washington predicts the US toll will double to 400,000 by the end of the year as schools and colleges reopen and cold weather sets in.
Read the full story on France24
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A quick look at the other headlines
Cindy McCain endorses Joe Biden for president
CNN says Cindy McCain, the widow of longtime Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said Tuesday night on Twitter that she endorses Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
‘How dare you!’ Indeed! Spitting Image excavated over ‘mocking’ Greta Thunberg
RT News says UK satire show Spitting Image has been savaged online after unveiling a puppet of teen climate crusader Greta Thunberg that some claim mocked her autism. With no episodes of the show yet released, others questioned the outrage.
Cameroon: Outcry as killer soldiers bag 10 year prison
AfricaNews says a video showing soldiers executing two women at close range, kneeling and blindfolded, along with a girl and a baby two years ago had caused massive outcry in Cameroon. But there is even more outcry now.
Egypt and UAE push to be ‘pillars of stability’ in the Middle East
The Jeruslem Post says Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has called for the international community to confront terrorism that “seeks to dismantle national states,” Al Ain News online reported. His comments at the UN were addressed to the global community, urging security and peace.
China calls for global ‘green revolution’, pledges to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060
CNA says Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans to boost his country’s Paris climate accord target on Tuesday and called for a green revolution, just minutes after US President Donald Trump blasted China for “rampant pollution”.
