Nuns from Rome's Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus have taken to their rooftop to sing prayers to the Italian capital amid the coronavirus crisis. The country has been among the hardest hit by the virus, with the nuns saying: 'We ask heavenly mother to keep all coronavirus sufferers and all carers safe'
Continue reading...Category Archives: Italy
Rooftop aerobics, singing and letters: how communities are coping in coronavirus quarantine – video
As more countries take extreme measures to deal with the outbreak of coronavirus, people around the world have been finding novel ways of helping one another and lifting each other's spirits. From singing opera on balconies to playing table tennis through a window, here's a look at how people are coping with life in coronavirus quarantine
- Latest Coronavirus news - live
- 'Pause, reflect and stay home': how to look after yourself and others in self-isolation
Europe’s populists will try to exploit coronavirus. We can stop them | Catherine Fieschi
Italy’s Salvini and others on the far right could weaponise people’s despair. Democratic governments must fight them with transparency
If the coronavirus pandemic is fuelling any political hope, it is that this crisis is a robust nail in the coffin of populist politics. Surely, some argue, in the face of an entirely indiscriminate, unforeseen and formidable plague, for which no one can be blamed (unlike, say, greedy bankers and unscrupulous lenders in the global financial crisis, or the terrorists of 9/11) people will turn to the truth, to science and to expert-led government.
And, true, populist leaders seem to have lost their voice, for now: the attempts to blame migrants, porous borders and the forces of globalisation for the coronavirus have received short shrift. Fear and deference have, momentarily at least, rendered citizens less inclined to question mainstream governments and turn to populism’s snake oil vendors. Better still: it looks as though governments led by populists or populists-lite, such as Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, are set for a rough ride, too, unless they change their ways.
Continue reading...Drone footage shows empty roads in Italy amid coronavirus lockdown – video
Drone footage shows a motorway in Baranzate, near Milan, almost completely empty amid a nationwide lockdown imposed by the Italian government. The European Union on Monday proposed suspending all non-essential inbound travel for 30 days
- Coronavirus updates: WHO tells governments to 'test, test, test', as EU proposes 30-day travel ban – live news
- Orderly, dour, cowed: how my beloved Italy is changed by coronavirus
Coronavirus updates: WHO tells countries to ‘test, test, test’, as EU proposes 30-day travel ban – live news
Director-general of World Health Organization says ‘We cannot fight a fire blindfolded’ and urges governments to test public; US measures ramped up; Germany closes shops. Follow the latest news
- Boris Johnson warns UK population to avoid non-essential contact
- Health experts criticise NHS advice to take ibuprofen
- Exclusive: IOC rules out staging Olympics behind closed doors
- Anger in Germany as Trump seeks exclusive vaccine access
- Share your experiences
Angela Merkel has announced a raft of further drastic measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Germany, including the closure of places of worship, playgrounds and non-essential shops.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin on Monday afternoon, the German chancellor issued new guidelines for restricting social gatherings, which the country’s federal state are expected to enforce in the coming days. She said:
These are measures that we have never had in our country, but they are necessary to reduce the number of illnesses and severe illnesses and avoid overwhelming our health services.
The more individuals stick to these rules, the quicker we will get through this phase. The benchmark [for these measures] isn’t what we want to do, but what scientists tell us is the right response”.
Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, says he will close his country’s border to foreigners. Only four Canadian airports will be allowed to accept international flights, he said.
The closure will not apply to commerce or trade, Trudeau said.
HAPPENING NOW: I’m speaking from Rideau Cottage about the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak and announcing significant new measures we’re taking to protect your health and keep you safe. Watch live: https://t.co/ZWtPbeNPVk
Continue reading...Coronavirus, racism and solidarity, before and after Italy’s lockdown – video
Meet Sonia Zhou who runs a popular Chinese restaurant in Rome's Chinatown. She has been forced to shut up shop, in part, due to people avoiding the area after the coronavirus outbreak. Italy has seen increased incidences of anti-Chinese racism but also much-needed acts of solidarity as it goes into national lockdown.
- Coronavirus – latest updates
- Germany seals its borders as 100m Europeans on lockdown
- UK supermarkets appeal for calm as shelves empty
- Spain's streets turn eerily quiet following coronavirus lockdown
Coronavirus: at a glance
A summary of the biggest developments in the global coronavirus outbreak
Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
Continue reading...Coronavirus: more than 100 million Europeans on lockdown – video report
More than 100 million Europeans are living under lockdown after Spain joined Italy in imposing a national quarantine to combat coronavirus, with a wave of further restrictions on travel coming into effect worldwide.
The World Health Organization announced that Europe was the new centre of the Covid-19 outbreak, with hundreds of thousands of cases. The UK is yet to impose the level of restrictions seen in the rest of Europe but the health secretary, Matt Hancock, has said new measures will be announced in the coming weeks
- Coronavirus – latest updates
- Germany seals its borders as 100m Europeans on lockdown
- UK supermarkets appeal for calm as shelves empty
- Spain's streets turn eerily quiet following coronavirus lockdown
Coronavirus latest updates: Trump gives briefing as Ohio and Illinois go into lockdown
Number of UK deaths rises to 35 while other countries introduce stricter new measures
- Health experts fear epidemic will ‘let rip’ through UK
- Johnson urged to launch daily coronavirus press briefings
- 100m Europeans on lockdown as countries battle coronavirus
- Coronavirus latest: at a glance
- See all of our coronavirus coverage
Here comes Donald Trump.
Speaking of which:
California governor Gavin Newsom announces that the state's bars, nightclubs, breweries and wineries be closed.
Continue reading...Coronavirus latest updates: all arrivals in Australia must self-isolate for 14 days, says PM
Trump tests negative while Spanish PM’s wife tests positive; France and Israel announce partial closure of country; scientists condemn UK ‘herd immunity’ strategy. Follow live news
- All overseas arrivals in Australia must self-isolate for 14 days
- Virus sparks calls to extend Brexit transition
- Jet2 planes turn back in mid-air as firm cancels Spain flights
- Teaching union asks PM why schools are not being closed
- Newborn baby tests positive for coronavirus in London
- See all of our coronavirus coverage
The US city of Hoboken, across the Hudson River from New York City, has announced a night curfew starting 16 March and ordered bars and restaurants to conduct only delivery services amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
An Uzbek citizen has tested positive for coronavirus after returning from France, Uzbekistan’s Healthcare Ministry said on Sunday, marking the first infection from the virus in the Central Asian country of 34 million.
Italians sing patriotic songs from their balconies during coronavirus lockdown
Neighbours from Naples to Tuscany make harmonies across empty streets to lift spirits and pass the time during quarantine
Italians have been singing from their balconies across the country, in an effort to boost morale during its nationwide lockdown that began this week, due to Covid-19.
Videos of Italian neighbours singing together have been appearing on social media after Italy’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced the restrictions that shut down virtually all daily life, and leftonly grocery stores, banks, and pharmacies open.
Continue reading...Coronavirus: quarantined Italians sing from balconies to lift spirits – video
People across Italy have been singing from their balconies in an effort to keep up morale as the country faces the worst coronavirus outbreak outside China. Italy’s 60 million citizens were placed under lockdown to halt the spread of a virus that has so far claimed over 1,000 lives in the country
Continue reading...Coronavirus live news: Trump says UK may be included in travel ban as WHO calls Europe ‘centre of pandemic’
Queen cancels engagements; Canadian prime minister self-isolates; UK cases rise by 208
- School closures could wipe 3% from UK GDP, ministers warned
- Spain to enter state of emergency as EU nations step up measures
- How many will die of coronavirus in the UK?
- Social distancing: is it risky to go to the pub or gym?
- Share your experiences
Plans to close off Catalonia have been announced by the northeastern Spanish region’s president, Quim Torra, who called on the central government to help by authorising the closure of ports, airports and railways.
The evolution of the contagion calls for most drastic action. We need to restrict entry and exit to protect ourselves.
In Europe, Hungary is closing all schools and will continue education as best as it can via digital channels, its prime minister Viktor Orbán has said.
In a Facebook video, he said he expected the Hungarian economy to stall soon and it will have to be restarted; an effort the government will participate in.
Continue reading...Shops and pubs close in Italy as prime minister praises citizens’ sacrifices – video
The Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, ordered on Wednesday night the closure of all non-essential commercial activities to counteract the spread of the coronavirus, which has so far claimed 827 lives, after a 31% rise in 24 hours.
The World Health Organization has formally declared a pandemic. After banning all but essential travel on Monday, Italy is allowing stores selling ‘basic necessities’, such as pharmacies and supermarkets, to remain open. Conte added that the impact of the new measures would only become clear in a few weeks
Continue reading...‘We will go overhead the boat and we will light our landing light’ – audio clip
EU flight crew guide a Libyan naval vessel to a rubber boat carrying people fleeing Libya
Continue reading...Revealed: the great European refugee scandal
Evidence obtained by the Guardian exposes a coordinated and unlawful EU assault on the rights of desperate people trying to cross the Mediterranean
As night fell on 26 March 2019, two small boats made their way north across the Mediterranean. The rubber crafts were flimsy; it would be nearly impossible for those onboard to make it to Europe without help. From the north, a twin-propeller aeroplane from the European Union naval force approached. From the south, the coastguard from the country they had just fled, Libya, was coming.
The aircraft arrived first but there would be no rescue from Europe. Instead the flight, callsign Seagull 75, radioed the Libyans telling them where to find the boats. But Libya’s would-be interceptors would need more than just the coordinates. “OK sir, my radar is not good, is not good, if you stay [over the boat] I will follow you,” said the coastguard, according to recordings of VHF marine radio picked up by a nearby ship.
Continue reading...‘Nine nautical miles, on your nose’ – audio clip
From the air, an EU flight crew guide the Libyan navy to a refugee boat in the Mediterranean
Continue reading...Coronavirus outbreak described by WHO as ‘pandemic’ amid ‘alarming levels of inaction’ – video
The World Health Organization has described the outbreak of the new coronavirus as a pandemic.
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: ‘We are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterised as a pandemic.’
Continue reading...Italy coronavirus lockdown leaves streets deserted – in pictures
The Italian government has imposed a nationwide lockdown in an effort to tackle the world’s worst coronavirus outbreak outside of China. Movements in and out of cities are severely restricted, and streets that are usually busy with life and traffic are almost empty
Continue reading...How coronavirus closed down Italy – podcast
With Italy in lockdown, Peter Beaumont charts the spread of Covid-19 in the country while Lorenzo Tondo describes its impact. And: Christina Figueres on tackling the climate crisis
On Monday night Italy’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, announced that the entire country would be covered by restrictions that “can be summarised as follows: I stay at home”. All travel was banned unless justified on professional or health grounds.
The Guardian’s Peter Beaumont talks to Anushka Asthana about the origins of the virus in Italy and how it spread so quickly, while colleague Lorenzo Tondo, who is based in Palermo, describes the impact the virus is having on Italy’s health service and economy.
Continue reading...