Monday, May 11
BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING
Monday 11 May 2020 News Briefing – Today’s headlines are dominated by the global Coronavirus Pandemic. As of 6:30 am (GMT), these are the global active numbers.
The top story this Monday morning: PM to give further details on lockdown roadmap. Mr Johnson will answer questions from MPs and members of the public on Monday.
Global COVID-19 UPDATE
Coronavirus Cases: 4,181,146
Deaths: 283,868
Recovered: 1,493,488
- Coronavirus: Global cases top 4 million as the US reports more than 20,000 new cases.
- More than 90 per cent of Japan’s coronavirus hospital beds in Tokyo have been occupied.
- PM to give further details on lockdown roadmap.
- Most UK pupils are unlikely to return until the new school year.
- Everything you need to know about France’s gradual easing of restrictions – starting today.
- Iran accused of hiding Covid-19 deaths as police arrest 320 for ‘spreading rumours’.
US reports more than 20,000 new cases
CNN says the United States recorded 20,241 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 733 deaths on Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
That brings the nationwide totals to at least 1,329,791 infections and at least 79, 528 Covid-19-related 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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Japan’s dwindling number of hospital beds highlight need to curb COVID-19 cases
Japan Times says more than 90 per cent of hospital beds secured for Covid-19 patients in Tokyo have already been occupied, the health ministry said on Sunday, underscoring the pressing need to curb the further spread of coronavirus.
The ministry said 1,832 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised in the capital as of April 28 – a 91.6 per cent of the 2,000 beds made available for such patients. The government aims to boost the number of beds to 4,000 eventually.
Read the full story on Japan Times
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PM to give further details on lockdown roadmap
BBC News says Prime Minister Boris Johnson will reveal more detail on his plans to reopen society in England, after unveiling the “first sketch” of his “road map” out of the coronavirus lockdown.
The prime minister will answer questions from MPs and the public on Monday while No 10 will publish its 50-page official guidance in Parliament. Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer criticised the PM’s plan for lacking clarity. And Scotland and Wales have rejected the new “stay alert” slogan.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Most UK pupils unlikely to return until new school year
The Guardian says Boris Johnson has said he wants to press ahead with a rapid reopening of primary schools in England on 1 June while older pupils remain at home, despite safety concerns from parents, school leaders and unions.
The announcement would mean that school will remain shut to the majority of children for the remainder of the academic year, with most secondary school pupils in England and most pupils in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland unlikely to return before the end of the summer.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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France eases its lockdown – what you need to know
France24 says on Monday, May 11, France will begin a “gradual” easing of its covid-19 lockdown measures. Here’s everything you need to know about the restrictions being lifted.
After eight weeks in lockdown, France is set to enter a new phase on Monday, as the government begins a “very gradual process” of easing restrictions on movement, businesses and schools.
Read the full story on France24
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Iran accused of hiding Covid-19 deaths as police arrest 320 for ‘spreading rumours’
Arab News says Iranian police have arrested 320 people accused of spreading rumours on social media about the coronavirus, with many questioning the official numbers of infections and deaths.
The official number of cases and deaths published by Iran’s Health Ministry has been questioned by lawmakers, city councillors and the public, according to Iranian daily Radio Farda.
Read the full story on Arab News
Take a look at the other top stories you should know from around the world.
Former US attorney on Ahmaud Arbery case: Newly released video has ‘no bearing whatsoever’ on McMicheals’ defence
Fox News says newly released video of Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed while jogging through a Georgia neighbourhood last February, holds “no bearing whatsoever” in the legal defence of the father and son charged with his murder, a former U.S. attorney told Fox News on Sunday.
French police break up medical smuggling network, seize 440,000 face masks
RT News says police in France have dismantled smuggling networks trying to take advantage of a rush to buy medical supplies – including face masks – to tackle the coronavirus epidemic. By the end of April, police had dismantled a number of such smuggling networks, stopped scams and attempted scams to the value of more than €30 million ($32 million), and seized 438,000 masks, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on Friday.
At least 20 killed in Niger villages attacks
BBC News says at least 20 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen on several villages in Niger, local authorities say.
Tidjani Ibrahim Katiella, governor of Tillaberi region, said the assailants were riding motorbikes during the incidents on Saturday.
The unidentified group reportedly looted shops, stole cattle and ordered village inhabitants to flee.
Hundreds gather in Baghdad in a new round of anti-gov protests
Aljazeera says hundreds of Iraqis have gathered in central Baghdad for fresh anti-government protests demanding better living conditions and an overhaul of the country’s political system, just days after the formation of a new government.
Southeast Asia rides the fourth wave of regional growth
Financial Times says the US-China trade war is over, runs an often-made joke in Singapore. “And the winner is Vietnam.” Actually, the war shows little sign of easing, even as the combatants’ reel from the coronavirus, but the punchline still captures an important truth.
How South Pacific islands have managed to fend off Covid-19
The Indian Express says four months after COVID-19 was first detected, the South Pacific Islands have not yet reported any cases of the infectious disease. Recognising the threats the spread of this disease would cause, the governments of these small island nations immediately began instituting travel bans to prevent incoming passengers, and in some cases, even denying permission to cruise ships and cargo ships.
