00:00 In the United States, record numbers of jobless workers are facing uncertainty as they wait for Congress to decide on whether they’ll extend a boost to unemployment benefits. The current coronavirus relief program expires at the end of July. But Republicans in the US Senate are divided over how much financial aid they’re willing to provide. 02:49 Almost 285,000 new cases of coronavirus infection were recorded globally in the past 24 hours, the highest number in a single day so far. The World Health Organization says tighter restrictions may be needed to curb the spread in Europe. With many people traveling for summer holidays, some European nations are introducing new measures to protect people from infection. 05:04 North Korea has placed the city of Kaesong near the border with South Korea under total lockdown after a person was found suspected of COVID-19 symptoms. Leader Kim Jong-Un called an emergency meeting on Saturday. If confirmed, it would be the country’s first official case. North Korean state media say the person suspected of having the virus crossed illegally from South Korea. 07:30 Britain has imposed a two-week quarantine on travellers arriving from Spain after a surge in COVID-19 cases there. Europe had only recently re-opened most of its borders to travel. Nightlife in the Spanish region of Catalonia, where Barcelona is, is shutting down once more, while national authorities are introducing measures against the recent spike in infections. The new restrictions are causing renewed disruption to the travel industry, and to tourists. 12:49 Australia’s state of Victoria has recorded its highest daily death toll from the coronavirus. Ten people died within 24 hours – this despite a two-week lockdown imposed in the state’s largest city, Melbourne. The state leader says the outbreaks are due to workplace infections. Thousands of Israelis have held protests across the country, calling for 13:07 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign. The largest rally took place outside Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem. The protests have been going on for several weeks, sparked by anger over the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and corruption charges against Netanyahu. 13:30 A small research lab in southwestern Nigeria is working hard to develop new solutions to tackle the coronavirus- and prepare to battle future epidemics. It could soon turn into one of Africa’s largest genomic research centers. Its founder supports young African scientists and wants to strengthen local research. His efforts are already paying off.
Coronavirus update: The latest COVID-19 news from around the world | DW News
