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Coronavirus live news: Pope gives Easter mass by live stream as global death toll passes 110,000 Coronavirus live news: Pope gives Easter mass by live stream as global death toll passes 110,000
(32 minutes later)
Italy, India, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico extend lockdown; Britain pledges £200m to WHO; partner of Julian Assange calls for prison release Jordan, Italy, India, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico extend lockdown; Britain pledges £200m to WHO; partner of Julian Assange calls for prison releaseSpain eases lockdown as rate of coronavirus infections hits new lowWHO official says virus will ‘stalk human race’US coronavirus updates – liveBoris Johnson leaves hospital as he continues recovery from coronavirus
I’m handing over to my colleague Helen Sullivan in Sydney now. Thanks for reading. Here is a quick roundup of the latest developments.
The global number of confirmed cases has passed 1.8m, reaching 1,844,410, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. There have been over 113,000 deaths globally.
Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno and his cabinet members have taken 50% pay cuts in a bid to tackle the pandemic’s economic effects on the country.
A former Israeli chief rabbi has died from coronavirus complications. Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron died from complications from the virus in a Jerusalem hospital, aged 79.
UK government is facing mounting criticism over its coronavirus response, particularly over its failure to secure enough personal protective equipment and tests for NHS and care workers as the country’s death toll passed 10,000. This follows a warning that that the UK could experience the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe.
China has vowed to improve treatment of Africans in the southern city of Guangzhou following international pressure. Facing accusations of discrimination linked to the pandemic, China said it rejected all “racist and discriminatory” remarks.
Süleyman Soylu, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has resigned following the bungled handling of the country’s lockdown, only to have his resignation rejected by Erdoğan.
Jordan has extended its month-long lockdown until the end of April. The country, which has registered 389 coronavirus cases and seven deaths, declared a 24-hour, nationwide curfew on March 20.
Sudan has announced it is banning all passenger road transport between cities and introducing emergency laws to enforce measures aimed at stopping Covid-19’s spread. The country has 19 confirmed coronavirus cases and two deaths.
Senior US public health officials have pushed back on Donald Trump’s eagerness to reopen the country quickly, as a senior World Health Organization figure warned that Covid-19 “is going to be a virus that stalks the human race for quite a long time to come”.
France’s death toll has continued to slow, with the country reporting a drop in coronavirus deaths on the previous 24 hours. There were 315 deaths in hospital over the last day, compared with 345 the day earlier.
Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno and his cabinet members have taken 50% pay cuts in a bid to tackle the pandemic’s economic effect on the country.Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno and his cabinet members have taken 50% pay cuts in a bid to tackle the pandemic’s economic effect on the country.
In recent weeks, the outbreak has overwhelmed sanitary authorities in the largest city of Guayaquil, where corpses have remained in homes or on the streets for hours.In recent weeks, the outbreak has overwhelmed sanitary authorities in the largest city of Guayaquil, where corpses have remained in homes or on the streets for hours.
The salary reductions will also affect state officials including lawmakers in the National Assembly, who have heavily criticised Moreno’s plans to increase taxes to protect government finances amid the pandemic.The salary reductions will also affect state officials including lawmakers in the National Assembly, who have heavily criticised Moreno’s plans to increase taxes to protect government finances amid the pandemic.
“I have arranged a 50% reduction in the monthly income of the President, Vice President, Ministers and Vice Ministers,” Moreno tweeted.“I have arranged a 50% reduction in the monthly income of the President, Vice President, Ministers and Vice Ministers,” Moreno tweeted.
Ecuador has registered 7,466 infections and 333 deaths. Reuters reports that another 384 people are believed to have died of coronavirus, but the cases have not been confirmed because the victims were not tested.Ecuador has registered 7,466 infections and 333 deaths. Reuters reports that another 384 people are believed to have died of coronavirus, but the cases have not been confirmed because the victims were not tested.
Moreno has proposed creating a humanitarian assistance fund that would collect 5% of the profits with reported revenue exceeding $1 million in 2018, and would tax workers with monthly salaries of more than $500. The measures have been criticised as unfair on workers.Moreno has proposed creating a humanitarian assistance fund that would collect 5% of the profits with reported revenue exceeding $1 million in 2018, and would tax workers with monthly salaries of more than $500. The measures have been criticised as unfair on workers.
A former Israeli chief rabbi has died after contracting the coronavirus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.A former Israeli chief rabbi has died after contracting the coronavirus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.
Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, who served from 1993 to 2003 as the state’s top chaplain for Sephardim, or Jews of Middle Eastern and North African descent, died late on Sunday from complications from the virus in a Jerusalem hospital, aged 79, Israeli media said.Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, who served from 1993 to 2003 as the state’s top chaplain for Sephardim, or Jews of Middle Eastern and North African descent, died late on Sunday from complications from the virus in a Jerusalem hospital, aged 79, Israeli media said.
“Tragically, Rabbi Bakshi-Doron contracted the coronavirus and doctors’ efforts to save him did not succeed,” Netanyahu said in a statement. Israel has reported 11,145 confirmed cases and 103 deaths.“Tragically, Rabbi Bakshi-Doron contracted the coronavirus and doctors’ efforts to save him did not succeed,” Netanyahu said in a statement. Israel has reported 11,145 confirmed cases and 103 deaths.
In case you missed it, here’s a handy explainer on how to make sense of the constant flurry of coronavirus statisticsIn case you missed it, here’s a handy explainer on how to make sense of the constant flurry of coronavirus statistics
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan has rejected the resignation of interior minister Süleyman Soylu.Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan has rejected the resignation of interior minister Süleyman Soylu.
“The resignation of our interior minister has not been accepted by the president, he will continue his duty,” the presidency’s communications directorate said.“The resignation of our interior minister has not been accepted by the president, he will continue his duty,” the presidency’s communications directorate said.
Soylu had said he was resigning after criticism of the implementation of the country’s weekend lockdown.Soylu had said he was resigning after criticism of the implementation of the country’s weekend lockdown.
Criticism of the UK government’s response to the crisis is growing, report Rowena Mason and Haroon Siddique, particularly over its failure to get enough personal protective equipment and testing kits to NHS and care workers.Criticism of the UK government’s response to the crisis is growing, report Rowena Mason and Haroon Siddique, particularly over its failure to get enough personal protective equipment and testing kits to NHS and care workers.
It comes as a government adviser also warned that the UK could experience the highest death toll from coronavirus in Europe on a day when the number of fatalities in British hospitals passed 10,000. Read the full story here:It comes as a government adviser also warned that the UK could experience the highest death toll from coronavirus in Europe on a day when the number of fatalities in British hospitals passed 10,000. Read the full story here:
The Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli performed inside the empty Milan Duomo on Sunday as millions tuned in via livestream.The Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli performed inside the empty Milan Duomo on Sunday as millions tuned in via livestream.
Bocelli said: “I will cherish the emotion of this unprecedented and profound experience, of this Holy Easter which this emergency has made painful, but at the same time even more fruitful, one that will stay among my dearest memories of all time.”Bocelli said: “I will cherish the emotion of this unprecedented and profound experience, of this Holy Easter which this emergency has made painful, but at the same time even more fruitful, one that will stay among my dearest memories of all time.”
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation has started a fundraiser to help hospitals purchase the necessary instruments and equipment to protect their medical staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has so far raised more than 200,000 euros.The Andrea Bocelli Foundation has started a fundraiser to help hospitals purchase the necessary instruments and equipment to protect their medical staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has so far raised more than 200,000 euros.
The UK has cancelled an order for thousands of units of a simple model of ventilator developed to treat Covid-19 because more sophisticated models are now needed, Reuters reports.The UK has cancelled an order for thousands of units of a simple model of ventilator developed to treat Covid-19 because more sophisticated models are now needed, Reuters reports.
“We are no longer supporting the production of the BlueSky device following a reassessment of the product’s viability in light of the ever developing picture around what is needed to most effectively treat COVID-19,” said a spokesman for the Cabinet Office, which is coordinating ventilator orders.“We are no longer supporting the production of the BlueSky device following a reassessment of the product’s viability in light of the ever developing picture around what is needed to most effectively treat COVID-19,” said a spokesman for the Cabinet Office, which is coordinating ventilator orders.
“We are continuing to work at unprecedented speed with a number of other manufacturers to scale up UK production of ventilators.”“We are continuing to work at unprecedented speed with a number of other manufacturers to scale up UK production of ventilators.”
The government has appealed to industry to come forward with new models that could be produced on a large scale at short notice. Over 30,000 ventilators in total have been ordered from various firms from sectors including aerospace, engineering and Formula One.The government has appealed to industry to come forward with new models that could be produced on a large scale at short notice. Over 30,000 ventilators in total have been ordered from various firms from sectors including aerospace, engineering and Formula One.
Following international pressure, China has vowed to improve the treatment of Africans in the southern city of Guangzhou after facing accusations of discrimination linked to the pandemic, and said it rejected all “racist and discriminatory” remarks.Following international pressure, China has vowed to improve the treatment of Africans in the southern city of Guangzhou after facing accusations of discrimination linked to the pandemic, and said it rejected all “racist and discriminatory” remarks.
Africans in the industrial centre of 15 million say they have become targets of suspicion and subjected to forced evictions, arbitrary quarantines and mass coronavirus testing, particularly as Beijing steps up its fight against imported coronavirus cases.Africans in the industrial centre of 15 million say they have become targets of suspicion and subjected to forced evictions, arbitrary quarantines and mass coronavirus testing, particularly as Beijing steps up its fight against imported coronavirus cases.
The African Union expressed its “extreme concern” about the situation, calling on Beijing to take immediate corrective action. Meanwhile, the United States denounced what it called “xenophobia towards Africans by Chinese authorities.”The African Union expressed its “extreme concern” about the situation, calling on Beijing to take immediate corrective action. Meanwhile, the United States denounced what it called “xenophobia towards Africans by Chinese authorities.”
A recent cluster of coronavirus cases linked to the Nigerian community in Guangzhou, southern China’s largest city, sparked the alleged discrimination by locals and virus-prevention officials. Several Africans told AFP they had been forcibly evicted from their homes and turned away by hotels.A recent cluster of coronavirus cases linked to the Nigerian community in Guangzhou, southern China’s largest city, sparked the alleged discrimination by locals and virus-prevention officials. Several Africans told AFP they had been forcibly evicted from their homes and turned away by hotels.
“The Chinese government has been attaching great importance to the life and health of foreign nationals in China,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a statement.“The Chinese government has been attaching great importance to the life and health of foreign nationals in China,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a statement.
“The Guangdong (provincial) authorities attach great importance to some African countries’ concerns and are working promptly to improve their working method,” he added.“The Guangdong (provincial) authorities attach great importance to some African countries’ concerns and are working promptly to improve their working method,” he added.
Among the measures Zhao announced were non-discriminatory health management services and hotels for foreigners who are required to undergo medical observation, to be offered at reduced rates for those in need.Among the measures Zhao announced were non-discriminatory health management services and hotels for foreigners who are required to undergo medical observation, to be offered at reduced rates for those in need.
In the UK, police are looking for thieves who stole personal protective equipment (PPE) from an NHS building, according to the Press Association.In the UK, police are looking for thieves who stole personal protective equipment (PPE) from an NHS building, according to the Press Association.
The raid took place at the offices of the Care Homes medical practice in Salford, which cares for patients living in nursing and residential homes. Police were called to the premises shortly before 7.50am on Sunday and discovered that a number of laptops and a quantity of petty cash had also been taken. Inquiries are ongoing.The raid took place at the offices of the Care Homes medical practice in Salford, which cares for patients living in nursing and residential homes. Police were called to the premises shortly before 7.50am on Sunday and discovered that a number of laptops and a quantity of petty cash had also been taken. Inquiries are ongoing.
A spokeswoman for Salford Royal NHS foundation trust said: “We are shocked and saddened that one of our community bases has been burgled and belongings stolen, including some items of PPE equipment. Our priority has been supporting staff based at this unit and ensuring they have access to the equipment that they need to carry out their roles.A spokeswoman for Salford Royal NHS foundation trust said: “We are shocked and saddened that one of our community bases has been burgled and belongings stolen, including some items of PPE equipment. Our priority has been supporting staff based at this unit and ensuring they have access to the equipment that they need to carry out their roles.
“It’s a testament to staff that service delivery has not been significantly impacted today following this incident. We will support Greater Manchester police in their ongoing inquiries.”“It’s a testament to staff that service delivery has not been significantly impacted today following this incident. We will support Greater Manchester police in their ongoing inquiries.”
Police have caught a church in Paris holding a traditional Easter mass with dozens of worshippers, flouting the strict rules imposed to fight coronavirus, AFP reports.Police have caught a church in Paris holding a traditional Easter mass with dozens of worshippers, flouting the strict rules imposed to fight coronavirus, AFP reports.
Religious services and all gatherings have been banned in France for the past month, but the traditional Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet Catholic church in the centre of Paris held an Easter mass late on Saturday, police sources said.Religious services and all gatherings have been banned in France for the past month, but the traditional Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet Catholic church in the centre of Paris held an Easter mass late on Saturday, police sources said.
The priest was warned and booked for not respecting the confinement rules, the source said. This would have made him liable for a €200 (£176) fine.The priest was warned and booked for not respecting the confinement rules, the source said. This would have made him liable for a €200 (£176) fine.
Police had been tipped off by local residents who had heard music coming from the church in the fifth arrondissement in the heart of the French capital.Police had been tipped off by local residents who had heard music coming from the church in the fifth arrondissement in the heart of the French capital.
This has just come in from the Guardian’s Turkey and Middle East correspondent, Bethan McKernan:This has just come in from the Guardian’s Turkey and Middle East correspondent, Bethan McKernan:
Turkey’s interior minister, Süleyman Soylu, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has resigned from his post after the bungled handling of a total lockdown across 31 Turkish cities over the weekend to contain Covid-19.Turkey’s interior minister, Süleyman Soylu, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has resigned from his post after the bungled handling of a total lockdown across 31 Turkish cities over the weekend to contain Covid-19.
The government announced on Friday at 10.30pm that a 48-hour-long lockdown during which people would not be allowed to leave home would go into effect at midnight, causing panic across the country as people rushed to shops and bakeries to stock up before the curfew.The government announced on Friday at 10.30pm that a 48-hour-long lockdown during which people would not be allowed to leave home would go into effect at midnight, causing panic across the country as people rushed to shops and bakeries to stock up before the curfew.
While officials rushed to reassure citizens that the lockdown would not affect basics such as groceries and pharmacies, the last-minute decision was heavily criticised by civilians and politicians alike. Istanbul – home to 16 million people – had a significant surge in panic buying and traffic backed up as people made late-night trips to check on loved ones.While officials rushed to reassure citizens that the lockdown would not affect basics such as groceries and pharmacies, the last-minute decision was heavily criticised by civilians and politicians alike. Istanbul – home to 16 million people – had a significant surge in panic buying and traffic backed up as people made late-night trips to check on loved ones.
The city’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu of the opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP), said in a video posted to Twitter that his municipality had not informed in advance of the expected shutdown.The city’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu of the opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP), said in a video posted to Twitter that his municipality had not informed in advance of the expected shutdown.
Soylu addressed the criticism in remarks to Turkish media on Sunday morning, accepting “full responsibility” for Friday’s events, but announce his resignation via Twitter on Sunday evening.Soylu addressed the criticism in remarks to Turkish media on Sunday morning, accepting “full responsibility” for Friday’s events, but announce his resignation via Twitter on Sunday evening.
“I acted in good faith ... to prevent the epidemic spreading,” Soylu wrote. “The scenes that occured before the lockdown began, even for a short time, are my responsibility. My actions should not have caused this.”“I acted in good faith ... to prevent the epidemic spreading,” Soylu wrote. “The scenes that occured before the lockdown began, even for a short time, are my responsibility. My actions should not have caused this.”
Political resignations are rare in Turkey. The last time a minister from the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) party stepped down was in 2013.Political resignations are rare in Turkey. The last time a minister from the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) party stepped down was in 2013.
Turkey has become one of the countries with the fastest rising number of recorded cases, which stood at 56,956 on Sunday.Turkey has become one of the countries with the fastest rising number of recorded cases, which stood at 56,956 on Sunday.
Erdoğan, usually no stranger to heavy-handed tactics, has resisted calls by doctors’ unions and opposition politicians to order people to stop going to work and stay home, insisting that the “wheels of the economy must keep turning”.Erdoğan, usually no stranger to heavy-handed tactics, has resisted calls by doctors’ unions and opposition politicians to order people to stop going to work and stay home, insisting that the “wheels of the economy must keep turning”.
Jordan has extended its month-long lockdown until the end of April, according to Reuters.Jordan has extended its month-long lockdown until the end of April, according to Reuters.
A government spokesman said Prime Minister Omar Razzaz took the decision in light of “developments and recommendations” related to the pandemic. The country has registered 389 coronavirus cases and seven deaths.A government spokesman said Prime Minister Omar Razzaz took the decision in light of “developments and recommendations” related to the pandemic. The country has registered 389 coronavirus cases and seven deaths.
Jordan declared a 24-hour, nationwide curfew on March 20. The lockdown followed the Jordanian monarchy enacting emergency laws to give the government powers to restrict civil and political rights.Jordan declared a 24-hour, nationwide curfew on March 20. The lockdown followed the Jordanian monarchy enacting emergency laws to give the government powers to restrict civil and political rights.