China held a three-minute national moment of reflection on Saturday morning to honour those killed by the coronavirus outbreak, as the global number of cases passed the one million mark with the international death toll surpassing 58,000. Citizens stood apart from one another with heads bowed at 10am local time as flags flew at half-mast and air raid sirens sounded ... Read More »
Sweden’s liberal pandemic strategy questioned as Stockholm death toll mounts
A spike in novel coronavirus infections and deaths in Stockholm has raised questions about Sweden’s decision to fight the outbreak without resorting to the lockdowns that have left much of Europe at a standstill. Governments across Europe have closed schools and taken draconian measures to limit exposure to possible carriers ... Read More »
With over a million coronavirus cases, economic freefall looms
Global cases of the new coronavirus have shot past 1 million with more than 53,000 fatalities, a Reuters tally showed on Friday, as death tolls soared in the United States and western Europe while the world economy nosedived. In the space of just 24 hours, 6,095 infected people died – ... Read More »
MEA schedules four flights for expat returns
Middle East Airlines announced Friday four flights to take off Sunday in order to evacuate Lebanese expats abroad, after Cabinet approved a mechanism for their return. According to a statement by MEA, the flights are organized “in accordance with the conditions laid down by the government.” The Cabinet’s decision states ... Read More »
BDL to set up platform on movement of dollar rates
The Central Bank Friday instructed commercial banks to allow customers with deposits of not more than LL5 million to withdraw their money after converting them to the current dollar market exchange rate based on the prices of an electronic platform that will be created soon. Central Bank Gov. Riad Salameh ... Read More »
Spain overtakes Italy in coronavirus cases, death rate slows
Spain overtook Italy for the first time on Friday for the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, but the overnight death toll fell from the previous day, providing a small glimmer of hope. With a total 117,710 confirmed cases, Spain is now second in the number of infections only to the ... Read More »
Health Ministry: Coronavirus Cases Rise to 508, 17 Deaths
The Health Ministry announced on Friday that the number of coronavirus cases rose to 508 infected individuals and 17 deaths. “The total number of laboratory-confirmed cases has reached 508, including those diagnosed at private hospitals, laboratories accredited by the Ministry of Health, and the state-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital,” said ... Read More »
World Bank Deploys $40 Million to Help Lebanon Face the Coronavirus Outbreak
The World Bank approved the re-allocation of $40 million under the current Health Resilience Project (US$120 million) to strengthen Lebanon’s Health Ministry’s capacity to respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the WB said in a press release on Thursday. The funds will help “by equipping governmental hospitals and increasing their ... Read More »
Wuhan residents told to stay inside and be vigilant
China announces day of mourning for ‘martyrs’ as city at centre of outbreak seeks to avoid second wave before travel bans lift Residents of Wuhan have been warned to stay indoors and strengthen protection measures, a few days before travel restrictions on the city at the centre of the pandemic ... Read More »
Global coronavirus infections near million mark after ‘near exponential growth’
Grim milestone approaches as WHO chief says he is ‘deeply concerned’ about spread Confirmed Covid-19 infections are nearing the one million mark after “near exponential growth” saw global cases more than double in the past week. The World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned of the approaching milestone ... Read More »