The number of confirmed infections of the novel coronavirus were reported to have exceeded 1.5 million globally and the death toll rose above 89,400, according to a Reuters tally as of 1400 GMT. EUROPE * Spain’s prime minister warned that nationwide confinement would likely last until May even though he ... Read More »
Some African countries heading for coronavirus peak in weeks: WHO
Some African countries could see a peak in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks and testing should be urgently increased in the region, World Health Organization officials said on Thursday. “During the last four days we can see that the numbers have already doubled,” Michel Yao, the WHO Africa programme ... Read More »
Pass the salt: The minute details that helped Germany build virus defences
One January lunchtime in a car parts company, a worker turned to a colleague and asked to borrow the salt. As well as the saltshaker, in that instant, they shared the new coronavirus, scientists have since concluded. That their exchange was documented at all is the result of intense scrutiny, ... Read More »
Europe could fall, Italy warns as divided EU seeks coronavirus rescue deal
The European Union faces an existential threat if it cannot come together to combat the coronavirus crisis, Italy said on Thursday as the divided bloc sought to salvage talks on a rescue package to aid battered economies. A deal has so far proved elusive amid fraught discussions between the more ... Read More »
United Nations Response to COVID-19 Outbreak in Lebanon
The United Nations issued a statement on Thursday on its response to the novel COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon. The statement said: In recent weeks, Lebanon had to adapt to new restrictions imposed by the government, in an effort to curtail the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon. United Nations (UN) ... Read More »
Coronavirus could double number of people going hungry
Exclusive: multinationals write to G7 and G20 urging leaders to keep borders open to trade and avert global food crisis Food supplies across the world will be “massively disrupted” by the coronavirus, and unless governments act the number of people suffering chronic hunger could double, some of the world’s biggest ... Read More »
Abdel Samad After Cabinet Session: Government Extends General Mobilization Until April 26
Speaking in the wake of today’s Cabinet session at Baabda Presidential Palace, Information Minister Dr. Manal Abdel Samad Najd, announced that the Cabinet has agreed to extend the “general mobilization” until April 26, ie for an additional two weeks. The Council of Ministers on Thursday convened in session at Baabda Presidential ... Read More »
Lebanon: Direct COVID-19 Assistance to Hardest Hit
Inadequate Government Response Creates Risk of Hunger for Many Millions of Lebanon’s residents are at risk of going hungry due to pandemic-related lockdown measures unless the government urgently puts in place a robust, coordinated plan to provide assistance, Human Rights Watch said today. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already ... Read More »
Health Minister Conducts Inspection Tour In Bcharri And Zghorta: Finding Positive Cases Does Not Call For Worry
Public Health Minister, Dr. Hamad Hassan, pointed out that the crisis cell in Bcharre is a scientific, accurate and reliable group, considering that “finding positive cases does not call for worry but rather helps us detect the source of these infections and tracking them.” Minister Hassan conducted a tour in ... Read More »
Is Europe beating the virus? Experts urge prudence
Even with the death toll still climbing, Europe’s home confinement measures to combat the coronavirus appear to be bearing some fruit. The initial flood of hospital admissions is starting to slow and infection rates in some countries are flattening. Some are beginning to hope that lockdowns could be eased soon. ... Read More »