Monday 19 October
- Covid-19: Talks to resume over Greater Manchester restrictions.
- China becomes first major economy to recover from Covid-19 pandemic.
- Italy unveils new Covid-19 rules as daily infections surge.
- Protest against Covid-19 rules in Prague escalates into clashes with police (VIDEOS).
- Turkey to impose new Covid-19 measures to curb virus spread.
- Top PLO official Erekat, stricken by Covid-19, taken to hospital.
Covid-19: Talks to resume over Greater Manchester restrictions
BBC News says talks are set to resume on whether Greater Manchester will enter the highest level of Covid restrictions after leaders in the region said better financial support was needed.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said he had a “constructive call” with the PM’s team on Sunday.
Treasury sources have indicated that extra support could be made available.
Read the full story on BBC News
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China becomes first major economy to recover from Covid-19 pandemic
The Guardian says the Chinese economy grew 4.9% between July and September, according to government data, as China becomes the first major economy to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The year-on-year expansion, while slightly lower than analyst expectations, represents a dramatic reversal from the first quarter of this year when the economy shrunk by 6.8%, China’s first contraction since 1992 when officials began keeping quarterly GDP data.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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Italy unveils new Covid-19 rules as daily infections surge
France24 says Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave mayors the power to shut public squares from 9 p.m. to halt gatherings as he unveiled a further package of measures on Sunday to try to halt a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases.
As daily cases in Italy hit a new record 11,705 on Sunday, Conte said the situation had become critical but his government has been determined to avoid a repeat of the lockdown imposed at the start of the crisis in March.
Read the full story on France24
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Protest against Covid-19 rules in Prague escalates into clashes with police (VIDEOS)
RT News says Czech riot police deployed tear gas, flashbang grenades, and a water cannon to disperse a crowd of protesters who refused to leave Prague’s Old Town Square after a rally against government measures to fight the coronavirus.
The defiant demonstrators, who were identified by the local media as radical fans of various sport teams, clashed with the police, pelting the officers with stones and firecrackers. Several dozen people were reported injured in the skirmish, including members of the police force.
Read the full story on RT News
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Turkey to impose new Covid-19 measures to curb virus spread
Arab News says Turkey will impose new coronavirus measures amid rising infections across the country, local daily Hurriyet Daily News reported.
The country’s interior ministry earlier issued a circular to all 81 provinces which focuses on the issues of risk management, social isolation, social distancing, controlling the spread of the virus, hygiene, the use of masks, and possible risks.
Read the full story on Arab News
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Top PLO official Erekat, stricken by Covid-19, taken to hospital
Aljazeera chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has been taken by ambulance to a hospital in Israel, more than a week after contracting the novel coronavirus.
Witnesses said the 65-year-old was on a stretcher on Sunday when he was placed inside an Israeli ambulance outside his home in Jericho, in the occupied West Bank.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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A quick look at the other top stories
Fauci says he is ‘absolutely not’ surprised Trump got Covid-19
CNN says Dr Anthony Fauci said he is “absolutely not” surprised President Donald Trump contracted Covid-19 after seeing him surrounded by people not wearing face masks and flouting best public health practices.
French ski season begins under threat of Covid-19
Euronews says the 2020-2021 ski season is officially underway in France, with select high altitude slopes open for business despite surging Covid-19 cases across the country.
Guineans vote in high-stakes presidential election as Conde seeks third term
Africanews Guineans started voting on Sunday in a tense presidential election which sees the 82-year-old incumbent Alpha Conde running for a controversial third term.
The leader bypassed a two-term limit in March by reforming the constitution. The move sparked mass protests, which resulted in dozens being killed in security crackdowns.
Israel and Bahrain formalise relations at ceremony in Manama
Aljazeera says Bahrain and Israel have signed a joint communique to formalise ties during a visit by an Israeli and US delegation to Manama to broaden cooperation that Washington has promoted as an anti-Iran bulwark and potential economic boom.
Thai police seek probe of media over protests: Document
CNA says Thai police are seeking an investigation of four media outlets and a protest group over their coverage of protests on suspicion of breaking emergency measures restricting information, according to a document published by local media on Monday.
