Coronavirus: latest global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

Trump eyes immigration ban

US President Donald Trump says he will temporarily ban immigration to the United States to combat the “invisible enemy” of coronavirus, a drastic new step in his anti-immigration crusade, but gives no further details.

 

“In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!” he tweets late Monday.

Oil market turmoil

Oil-price turmoil grips traders once again, a day after US crude futures crashed below zero for the first time as a result of shrinking demand and a vast supply glut.

China defends epidemic handling

Beijing hits back at mounting pressure over its management of the crisis. “Any question about China’s transparency in the prevention and control of epidemic situation is not in line with facts,” says foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

More than 170,000 dead

More than 2,483,846 infections have now been reported and at least 170,368 people have died, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT Tuesday based on official sources. The United States has the most deaths of any country with 42,364.

Italy is the second hardest- hit country, with 24,114 dead. Spain follows with 21,282, then France with 20,265 and Britain with 16,509.

Italy to get exit plan details

Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte promises to reveal by the weekend the steps he will take to loosen restrictions and reopen the economy.

“I would like to be able to say, let’s open everything. Right away,” Conte writes on Facebook.

“But such a decision would be irresponsible.”

Virgin Australia collapses

Cash-strapped Virgin Australia goes into administration, making it the largest carrier to buckle under the strain of the pandemic.

 

Munich beer festival runs dry

For the first time since World War II, German officials cancel Oktoberfest, a beloved beer-swilling festival in southern Bavaria scheduled for September 19 to October 4 and expecting to draw some six million visitors.

No bulls in Pamplona

Spain’s best-known bull-running festival in the northern city of Pamplona, held each year between 6 and 14 July and attracting hundreds of thousands of people, is cancelled. — AFP