UK: Most COVID restrictions set to end this month
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that virtually all coronavirus restrictions in England would end as planned on July19, despite rapidly rising cases, which yesterday tallied over 27,000. The Times quotes him saying the country must use the “firebreak” of the summer holidays to lift all remaining social-distancing and face masks rules. The Opposition Labour Party accused the government of “recklessness”.
Germany eases travellers’ restrictions
Meanwhile, Germany has announced it would ease restrictions on travellers from Britain, India, Portugal, Nepal and Russia that were imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Berliner Zeitungsays they will no longer be banned from entering Germany and can avoid quarantine if they are vaccinated and provide details in advance.
Over 25,000 new cases in Russia
Russia has registered 25,142 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the highest daily level since the beginning of January. Pravda reports 663 deaths caused by the disease had been reported. This week, the country, struggling with the Delta variant, set five consecutive daily records for the number of deaths – up to 697 yesterday.
63% of EU adults vaccinated
European Commission spokesperson Dana Spinant has written on Twitter that 62.7% of adults in the bloc have been given at least one dose of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination while 45% are fully immunised. She said that of the 481.6 million vaccine doses delivered in the EU, 376.4 million doses have been used. In Malta, 77% of adults are fully vaccinated, with 82.5% having received at least one dose.
China and Europe talks on improving relations
Deutsche-Welle reports Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke of improving relations with Europe, in a video call with German and French leaders. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron raised the issues of human rights and climate change in the virtual meeting. China urged the maintenance of “true multilateralism, to maintain the international system with the UN at the centre”. Among the topics discussed were also international trade, biodiversity and the pandemic emergency. Air links between the countries could soon be restored.
Italian TV icon Raffaella Carrà is dead
World tributes, including those by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, have been paid to Itaian TV icon Raffaela Carrà, whose death at 78 was announced yesterday. Ansa says the success of the great singer, actress, presenter, dancer and style icon knew no bounds. Raffaella Carrà died after a short illness. In her final dispositions, Carrà asked for a simple unfinished wooden coffin and an urn to contain her ashes. Her death is among the top news of the Spanish, Argentine and Mexian media.
Brazil in final of Copa America
O Globo says Brazil’s super substitute, Lucas Paqueta who scored the winner in the quarterfinals against Chile, earned the start against Peru in the semifinals of the Copa America on Monday and delivered the only goal in a 1-0 victory. He received an assist from Neymar, who beat a crowd of defenders. In the final on Saturday, Brazil will now meet either Argentina or Colombia.
Euro 2020: first semi-final tonight
The first semi-final of Euro 2020 sees Italy and Spain lock horns at Wembley this evening at 9 pm, with the winner going into the final against England or Denmark. Sporting Life says there will not be too many fans of either side at the game as anybody flying from Spain or Italy into England would have had to quarantine. Italian coach Roberto Mancini said it was “unfair that there are no fans from Italy and Spain”. Spain’s manager Luis Enrique said he hoped there would be plenty of Spanish and Italians who live in the UK.
