Europe
Italian virus death toll nears China's as outbreak spreads
The Chinese city where the coronavirus first took hold reported no new homegrown cases Thursday, while the death toll in Italy was poised to overtake that of China in a dramatic illustration of how the outbreak has pivoted toward Europe and the United States.
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has coronavirus
Michel Barnier, the European Union's chief negotiator for the bloc's future relationship with Britain after Brexit, has been infected with the new coronavirus.
EU to ban most foreign travelers for 30 days to curb virus
European Union leaders agreed Tuesday to immediately impose travel restrictions on most foreigners entering Europe for at least 30 days to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, and to set up fast-track transport lanes to keep vital medical equipment, food and goods flowing smoothly inside the bloc.
EU battles to forge common front as virus eats at unity
European Union leaders are set to hold their second summit in two weeks on Tuesday, a fresh attempt to forge a joint response to the novel coronavirus as Europe takes over from China as the front-line in the fight against a disease claiming thousands of lives.
German tour firm TUI suspends most operations over virus
German-based tour company TUI says it is suspending most of its operations until further notice in light of the deepening coronavirus crisis and applying for government help.
Spain locks down its citizens, while France shuts nightlife
Spain locked down its 46 million citizens and France ordered the closing of just about everything the rest of the world loves about it — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the cafes and restaurants — as governments took increasingly desperate measures to put more space between people and contain the coronavirus.
Coronavirus: UK deaths double in 24 hours
Ten more people in the UK have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths in the UK to 21, reports BBC.
European nations announce more anti-coronavirus measures amid rising caseload
From state emergency to financial help, several European countries on Thursday announced new measures to tackle COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, as caseload on the continent is approaching 30,000.
Putin backs amendment allowing him to remain in power
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday backed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek re-election after his current term ends in 2024, ending uncertainty about his future.
Italy under lockdown, officials infected
Italy enters its first day under a nationwide lockdown after a government decree extended restrictions on movement from the hard-hit north to the rest of the country. As the numbers of infected surged in Italy, there were more signs of normality returning to China, where President Xi Jinping' made his first trip to the virus' epicenter of Wuhan. The contrast illustrated the global east-to-west spread of the virus.