LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization’s Europe director said Thursday that the 53-country region has again reached a new weekly record for confirmed cases, with more than 1.5 million confirmed last week and more than 10 million since the start of the pandemic.
During a meeting with European health ministers, WHO European regional director Dr. Hans Kluge said, “hospitalizations have risen to levels unseen since the spring” and that deaths have risen by more than 30% in the last week. “Europe is at the epicenter of this pandemic once again,” Kluge said. “At the risk of sounding alarmist, I must express our very real concern.”
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MIDDLE EAST
Turkey threatens new military operation into Syria.
Virus sets Iran record again - this time infections.
US Embassy in Saudi Arabia lowers alert after warning of potential missile attack in capital.
Lebanon justice minister ‘waiting’ to judge blast probe.
Lebanon, Israel end second round of maritime border talks.
ASIA
3 politicians from India’s ruling party killed in Kashmir.
Coronavirus digest: India braces for winter as cases top 8 million.
Taiwan marks 200 days without domestic Covid-19 infection.
China unveils 5-year plan with tech ambitions at its core.
Xi Jinping's North Korea letter pledges economic support.
Wary of security issues, Japan's government moves to shut China out of its drone supply chain.
New Zealand votes to legalise euthanasia but against legalising cannabis in referendum.
AFRICA
ADF militia kills 19 in eastern DR Congo.
Fear of violence grows as Tanzania opposition denounces election.
Ivory Coast: Fear in Bonoua ahead of election day.
Guinea loosens restrictions on opposition, 10 days after disputed election.
Justice and accountability key to Libya peace: Human Rights Watch.
Algeria to vote on a constitution dismissed by protest movement.
140 dead after migrant shipwreck near Senegal.
Schools close as Tunisia avoids total lockdown.
Algerian president Tebboune transferred to German hospital amid Covid-19 fears.
EUROPE
Three dead in Nice after knife attack at Notre Dame church, France raises security alert to highest level.
Macron says France is 'under attack' after deadly stabbing in Nice.
EU to fund transfer of Covid-19 patients between countries as strain on hospitals grows.
Coronavirus: Angela Merkel defends lockdown, warns of 'difficult winter' in Germany.
Sweden hits highest daily COVID-19 spread as chief epidemiologist says herd immunity not 'ethically justifiable'.
Lukashenko shuts borders, shakes up security team to stamp out Belarus protests.
Russia bewildered over US statement on hypersonic missiles in Europe — diplomat.
European Central Bank readies to release more stimulus.
Ukraine president slams 'unacceptable' corruption ruling.
UK Labour Party suspends former leader Corbyn in wake of anti-Semitism report.
AMERICAS
US sets weekly record with over 500,000 new COVID-19 cases.
Winter COVID-19 wave poses threat to nation's hospitals.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious disease expert, warns COVID-19 there is getting a lot worse.
Trump, Biden hold duelling rallies in battleground Florida as Covid-19 resurges.
Record-breaking early voting in U.S. election tops 80 million.
US sells oil seized from Iran to Venezuela for $40 million.
Canada judge blocks attorney general's attempt to dismiss Meng Wanzhou's argument.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Nice attack points to continued Tunisian struggle with jihadists.
Mozambique army advances on key militia base: govt. US to use proceeds from Iranian fuel seized by US military to aid terror victims.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street ends higher after shaking off a wobbly start.
Oil plunges to $35 as lockdowns return.
