Europe

Scientists say second coronavirus wave likely to hit France this year

Editorial Bureau August 4, 2020

PARIS (FRANCE) – The top scientific body of the French government has warned that a second wave of the pandemic is “highly likely” to hit the country in the autumn or winter. This comes as the authorities are struggling to contain the spurt in new cases over the past two

Europe

Greece’s Mitsotakis reshuffles cabinet

Editorial Bureau August 4, 2020

ATHENS (GREECE) – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet on Tuesday in a bid to help the country effectively manage EU funds it had secured to recover from the pandemic crisis. Conservative Mitsotakis wants the government scheme to be more efficient to cushion the impact of the crisis which has hurt the weak […]

Europe

German doctors’ union head says country is battling second wave of coronavirus infections

Editorial Bureau August 4, 2020

BERLIN (GERMANY) – The head of the German doctors’ union said in an interview on Tuesday that the country is already grappling with a second wave of infections and risks squandering its success achieved earlier by violating social distancing norms. In recent weeks, the number of infections has steadily risen and health authorities blame lack […]

Europe

Pizza outlet in Spain comes out with country’s first virtual waiter app

Editorial Bureau August 4, 2020

PALAFRUGELL (SPAIN) -In a bid to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection and do away with face-to-face contact with staff, a restaurant on Spain’s northeastern Mediterranean coast has come out with a unique method. Clients at Funky Pizza on the tourist haven of Costa Brava can surf through the menu, place an order and pay […]

Europe

New Genoa bridge comes up as sign of a ‘rising Italy’

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2020

MILAN (ITALY) – In sharp contrast to the stalled infrastructure projects elsewhere in Italy, a new bridge has come up in place of Genoa’s Morandi motorway bridge which collapsed two years ago, killing 43 people. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the new bridge replaces the old span that broke apart on Aug. 14, 2018 which […]

Europe

Troops, firefighters struggle to control wildfire outside Madrid

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2020

MADRID (SPAIN) – Amid the blistering heat on Monday, firefighters and troops were engaged in a battle to control a wildfire in the Madrid region that burned through the night, forcing authorities to evacuate people from several houses. According to the director of emergency services in Madrid, the firefighters had succeeded in establishing a perimeter […]

Europe

Not in favour of extending temporary cut to VAT: German finance minister

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2020

BERLIN (GERMANY) – German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Monday that he did not favour an extension of a temporary slash to the value added tax, which is meant to reinvigorate the economy which has been affected by the pandemic, said public broadcaster SWR. “It’s important to say at the beginning when it will […]

Europe

Newspaper reports say former Pope Benedict is seriously ill

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2020

BERLIN (GERMANY) – German newspaper Passauer Neue Presse reported on Monday, citing his biographer, that former Pope Benedict XVI is seriously ill after returning to the Vatican from a visit to Germany. Author Peter Seewald told the daily that Benedict, aged 93, has become very weak and his voice is barely audible. The report said, […]

Europe

Russia’s coronavirus cases exceed 850,000

Ren Leen August 2, 2020

MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – Russia recorded 5,427 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing its nationwide tally to 850,870. Russia’s coronavirus taskforce said 70 people had lost lives over the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll in the country to 14,128. (Photos syndicated via Reuters)This story has been edited by BH staff and is published […]

Europe

Mexico records more than 9,000 new coronavirus cases

Editorial Bureau August 2, 2020

MEXICO CITY (MEXICO) – Mexico touched a record number of new confirmed coronavirus infections on Saturday, as it reported more than 9,000 daily cases for the first time. The ministry also reported 784 additional deaths, bringing the total tally in the country to 434,193 cases and 47,472 fatalities. As the country with the third-highest number […]