PARIS, Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Here are some of the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
– MORE THAN 832,000 DEAD: The pandemic has killed at least 832,336 people worldwide since surfacing in China late last year.
More than 24.5 million cases have been registered.
The United States has recorded the highest number of deaths with
180,857, followed by Brazil with 118,649, Mexico with 62,594, India
with 61,529 and Britain with 41,477 fatalities.
– US PRES TRUMP PLEDGES TO ‘CRUSH’ CORONAVIRUS: Trump pledges to “crush” the coronavirus pandemic with a vaccine by the end of the year, as he accepts the Republican nomination for a second term.
He speaks as the United States, the world’s worst-hit country, passes the milestone of 180,000 coronavirus deaths, according to Johns
Hopkins University’s real-time tracker.
– NEW YORK’S MOMA REOPENS, WITH FEW VISITORS: New York’s Museum of Modern Art reopens following a nearly six-month shutdown due to the pandemic, with only a few art lovers reserved a time slot.
MOMA is the first major museum in the Big Apple to reopen to the public since the US cultural capital was hard-hit by the virus.
– MERKEL POINTS TO AUTUMN CHALLENGE: German Chancellor Angela Merkel says coping with the coronavirus will become more challenging in the coming autumn and winter months, in her annual summer press conference.
Germany has fared relatively well in its battle to contain the
virus so far but like many other European countries has seen a new
surge in cases in recent weeks.
– PARIS WAKES UP TO MASKS: Outdoor mask-wearing becomes compulsory in Paris and near suburbs at 08:00 am on Friday as the government moves to stay a trend of mounting coronavirus infections. Non-compliance is punishable with a fine 135 euros ($160).
However, authorities make a last-minute about-turn, exempting
cyclists and joggers from the otherwise blanket outdoors obligation.
– SOUTH KOREA TIGHTENS MEASURES IN CAPITAL: South Korea decides to tighten coronavirus curbs further in the greater Seoul area as it seeks to contain growing clusters in the region.
The country largely overcame an early coronavirus outbreak with
extensive tracing and testing, but is now battling several outbreaks
mostly linked to Protestant churches, most recently in the greater
Seoul region.
– CHINA ARRESTS 5,800 FOR CORONAVIRUS CRIMES: Around 5,800 people suspected of killing health workers, selling defective medical equipment and lying about their travel history have been arrested in China for epidemic-related crimes since January, the state prosecutor’s office says.
One case involves a shopper who beat another customer to death for
not wearing a mask in a supermarket, while another includes a person
who deliberately mowed down medical workers with a car. — NNN-AGENCIES
