PARIS: French health authorities are making COVID-19 tests available free of charge without prescription as they closely monitor an uptick in infections after the lifting of lockdown measures. PCR nasal swab tests, which detect COVID-19 infections caused by the novel coronavirus, will be freely available on demand under government orders […]
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A family use a hand sanitizer station as the National Zoo reopens for socially-distanced patrons for the first time since the start of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Washington, U.S. July 24, 2020. REUTERS: The United States recorded more than 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 for the fourth straight […]
Blacklisting companies based on country of origin or cited national security concerns sets a dangerous precedent, says an observer. PERTH: TikTok, the made-in-China, video-sharing platform beloved by youth and influencers alike, is suddenly everywhere in our new world of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing. The platform’s growth has been tremendous, […]
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un convened an emergency politburo meeting after a person suspected of having COVID-19 returned from South Korea after illegally crossing the border this month, state media said on Sunday (Jul 26). If confirmed, it would be the first case officially acknowledged by North Korean […]
MILAN: The governor of Lombardy, the Italian region hardest hit by the coronavirus, denied wrongdoing on Saturday (Jul 25) after he was placed under investigation for suspected fraud over a supply of medical equipment from a company owned by his brother-in-law. Magistrates are investigating Attilio Fontana, 68, a member of […]
JERUSALEM: The number of people to test positive for coronavirus in Israel topped 60,000 on Saturday (Jul 25) as the government struggles to contain a resurgence in infection rates. The latest daily tally showed 1,770 new infections, bringing the total number of cases to 60,496, the country’s health ministry reported. […]
LONDON: Britain told its citizens to avoid all but essential travel to mainland Spain due to the risk from COVID-19, and said anyone arriving from Spain’s mainland or islands would need to self-isolate for 14 days on their return. “FCO is advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain […]
ISTANBUL: Turkey and Greece exchanged harsh words on Saturday (Jul 25) over the conversion of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia into a mosque, a day after Islamic prayers were held at the ancient site for the first time in nine decades. President Tayyip Erdogan, who attended Friday’s ceremony that sealed his ambition […]
LONDON: England head coach Eddie Jones says he will not attempt to stop fans at the Twickenham Stadium singing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” but added they would need to be educated on its links with American slavery in order to make an informed decision. The anthem, believed to have been […]
LONDON: Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi will miss the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Aug 1 because of a hamstring injury, the Premier League club said. Mustafi, 28, sustained the injury during the closing stages of Arsenal’s 2-0 semi-final victory against Manchester City at Wembley last week. “Will miss remaining […]