Europe

Pope, in first post-lockdown audience, thanks Italian doctors

Editorial Bureau June 20, 2020

VATICAN CITY (Europe) – Pope Francis on Saturday held his first audience for a group of people since Italy lifted its coronavirus lockdown, granting it to health workers from the Italian region most affected by the pandemic. “You were one of the supporting pillars of the entire

Asia

Beijing extends travel curbs to contain resurgent coronavirus

Editorial Bureau June 17, 2020

BEIJING (CHINA) – Several flights to and from Beijing were cancelled, schools shut and some neighbourhoods sealed off as officials stepped up efforts to contain a coronavirus outbreak. The resurgence of the disease in Beijing over the past six days has upset daily life for many with some fearing that the city is again headed […]

UK

Number of workers on UK payrolls drops in May: ONS

Editorial Bureau June 16, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The number of people on British company payrolls dropped by more than 600,000 in April and May as the coronavirus lockdown ravaged the labour market, and vacancies plunged by the most on record, official data showed on Tuesday. The unemployment rate unexpectedly held steady at 3.9% over the three months to April […]

UK

Greggs to reopen 800 stores across UK

Editorial Bureau June 16, 2020

LONDON (UK) – For Britons who are craving to have a Greggs sausage roll after the 12 weeks of coronavirus lockdown, the wait is almost over as the firm has announced its plans to reopen 800 shops on Thursday. The UK baker, also known for its steak bakes, vegan snacks and sweet treats, closed all […]

Tech

Mutation in new coronavirus increases chance of infection

Editorial Bureau June 15, 2020

(Technology) – A specific mutation in the new coronavirus can significantly increase its ability to infect cells, according to a study by U.S. researchers. The research may explain why early outbreaks in some parts of the world did not end up overwhelming health systems as much as other outbreaks in New York and Italy, according […]

Europe

Summer tourism in Greece back to full swing with foreign visitors coming in

Jim Stein June 15, 2020

ATHENS (Europe) – Greece reopened its main airports to more international flights on Monday, hoping to kick-start its vital tourism sector after three months in lockdown. Tourism employs about 700,000 people and accounts for some 20% of Greece’s economic output, so how the sector fares is significant for the country’s recovery. Greece emerged from a […]

UK

England’s shops resume normal operations as lockdown eased

Jim Stein June 15, 2020

LONDON (UK) – After 83 days of coronavirus lockdown, non-essential stores in England reopen their doors on Monday, hoping to get the tills ringing again and start a long road to recovery. The stores have been closed since March 23 when Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a lockdown to stem the spread of the virus. […]

Europe

Europe reopening its borders but no free travel yet

Jim Stein June 15, 2020

BRUSSELS (Europe) – European countries ease some border controls on Monday after coronavirus lockdowns, but Spain’s continued closure, a patchwork of restrictions elsewhere and new ways of working mean pre-pandemic levels of travel are a long way off. The Schengen area of 22 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland operates control-free

Europe

Bruno Le Maire: France to speed up return to business activity

Editorial Bureau June 11, 2020

PARIS (Europe) – France must speed up its return to work and business activity gradually, as it emerges from coronavirus lockdown measures in place to tackle the crisis, according to France’s Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire. “I want economic activity to resume more quickly.” – Bruno Le Maire, France’s Finance Minister The economy of

UK

Britain’s lockdown sparks surge in dog demand

Jim Stein June 9, 2020

LONDON (UK) – British breeders of puppies have seen a huge surge in demand for dogs during the lockdown and now fear that many families will give them up once they realise the scale of the responsibility ahead. Millions of Britons have spent almost three months largely confined to their homes to counter the spread […]