Greek authorities have quarantined a cluster of Muslim majority towns and villages in the country's northeast after several cases and a death from the new coronavirus in the area.
The area in Xanthi prefecture was placed in lockdown as of Wednesday evening as nine people in the region overall have tested positive for the virus over the past six days, civil protection deputy minister Nikos Hardalias told reporters.
"All residents have been temporarily confined at home. No exceptions are allowed," Hardalias said.
The centre of the outbreak appears to be the small Pomak town of Ehinos, a community of about 2,500.
"Ehinos residents will be provided with food and medicine," Hardalias said.
Police were deployed Thursday on a bridge leading into town to enforce the lockdown, television footage showed.
One 72-year-old Ehinos man has died from the virus, local mayor Ridvan Deli Huseyin told Antenna television.
"It's better to take some measures now than to cry about this later," said Huseyin, .

Greece locks down Muslim towns over coronavirus

PTI Automatic

An Italian employee of the Holy See who lives in the same residence as Pope Francis was reported Thursday to have tested positive for COVID-19 and been hospitalised.
Several Italian newspapers with reputable sources in the Vatican said the clergyman has lived for years in Saint Martha's guest house.
Pope Francis has remained largely secluded at his residence since coming down with a cold at the end of last month.
The 83-year-old pontiff has a small apartment in the building and takes his meals there.
He also has private meetings there and occasionally moves to the Vatican library to record livestreamed messages to the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.
The La Stampa and Il Messagro newspapers said the unnamed person has been hospitalised in Rome and steps have been taken to disinfect the building.
La Stampa additionally reported that Pope Francis has been "eating alone in his room for some time" as a precaution.
"He spends much of his time in his apartment, and when he moves inside the ...

Italian clergyman in pope's residence has virus: reports

Nine doctors have died in the Philippines from the coronavirus, the country's top medical association said Thursday, as hospitals were overwhelmed and medics complained about a lack of protection on the front lines.
The announcement of the doctors' deaths heightened fears that the scale of the health crisis in the Philippines is much worse than is being officially reported, with the confirmed virus death toll at just 38.
The main island of Luzon, home to 55 million people, is in the second week of a lockdown to contain the spread of the disease, however medics are warning there is a surge in cases.
The Philippine Medical Association said Thursday a ninth doctor had died of the virus, and that health workers were not getting enough protection.
"If it were up to me, test the frontliners first and test them again after seven days. Doctors could be carriers themselves," Benito Atienza, vice president of the Philippine Medical Association told AFP.
Three large Manila hospitals announced ...

Nine doctors die from coronavirus in Philippines

In 2016, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe broke with his staid public image to pop up in Rio dressed as Super Mario for the official handover of the Olympic Games to Tokyo.
The stunt reflected his commitment to an event that was supposed to be the crowning glory of his tenure. But analysts say the historic delay of the Games over the coronavirus may not be all bad news for Abe.
If the country's longest-serving premier can see off the twin threats of a larger-scale outbreak of the virus in Japan and a major economic crisis caused by the pandemic, he could even end up extending his tenure, due to expire in September 2021, experts say.
Abe has bet heavily on Japan hosting the Games, casting them as a chance to showcase recovery after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster, and delaying them would once have been seen as an "unthinkable political defeat," said Tobias Harris, senior vice president at consultancy Teneo.
But the rapidly expanding coronavirus epidemic has 

For Japan's Abe, Olympic delay may be no sweat

Two rockets slammed into the Iraqi capital's Green Zone, the high-security enclave home to government buildings and foreign embassies, early on Thursday, the military said.
An Iraqi security source told AFP the intended target appeared to be the US embassy, a sprawling compound a few hundred meters south of where the rockets hit.
It is the 26th such attack targeting installations where foreign troops or diplomats are based across Iraq since late October.

Two rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone: Iraq military

Rescheduling the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will involve "massive" additional costs, organisers of the Games conceded Thursday as they convened a taskforce to begin working on the "unprecedented" and complex task.
The historic decision to postpone the Games over the new coronavirus outbreak leaves organisers with a logistical headache as they work to shift the enormous event to an as-yet-undecided date next year.
"One by one, we need to ensure the problems we face can be solved," Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said in opening remarks at the first meeting of the taskforce.
"Additional expenses are going to be quite massive we assume. With regards to our revenues, we need to make a lot of effort there," he added.
Muto gave no estimates for how much the process of postponing the Olympic and Paralympic Games could cost.
But according to the Nikkei daily, organisers estimate it will cost an extra $2.7 billion, including for venue rentals, rebooking hotels and additional payments for staff and ...

Delaying Olympics will involve 'massive' costs, organisers say

Asian markets mostly rose or clawed back early losses Thursday as investors breathed a sigh of relief that US senators have finally passed a gargantuan stimulus package for the world's top economy after being delayed by wrangling over details.
The unprecedented USD 2 trillion plan - described by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as a "wartime level of investment" - helped spur a surge across global equities as panicked traders worried about the impact of the coronavirus sweeping the planet.
But another advance on Wall Street was blunted Wednesday as it emerged that four Republican senators have baulked at the generous provisions agreed to in the bipartisan deal with the White House.
However, the bill eventually cleared the Senate by an overwhelming majority and will now head to the House of Representatives before going to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The monster deal thrashed out between Republicans, Democrats and the White House includes cash payments to American ...

Asia markets mixed as US lawmakers debate stimulus

Inter Miami captain Luis Robles never imagined his first few months in South Florida would be like this.
Two weeks ago, the veteran Major League Soccer goalkeeper had been preparing to lead David Beckham's new franchise into their first ever home game.
But 48 hours before that eagerly awaited landmark fixture against the LA Galaxy on March 14, the coronavirus pandemic brought the US sports world to a standstill.
It has left Robles and his team-mates in limbo, unable to train properly and in the dark over when the season may resume.
With MLS facilities shuttered, Robles and his team-mates have been required to improvise in order to stay fit.
"It's an unprecedented situation and it's really tough at times to find a place to train but the most important thing is to continue to follow the guidelines from health officials," Robles said during a conference call on Wednesday.
- Getting creative -
====================
"We all have been finding time in the day to carve out the training regimen 

Milk jugs and GPS: football training in the age of COVID-19

Europe's athletics governing body asked whether this year's European Championships in Paris can be held while the deadly coronavirus pandemic continues to spread.
In a statement, European Athletics said its executive board had asked the local organising committee (LOC) for the event, set to take place between August 25-30, to perform "a study of possible alternative scenarios for hosting ... including potential postponement".
The body added the LOC has reported their preparations have been "severely compromised" by a nationwide shutdown in France as governments across the world try to slowdown a virus that has killed over 20,000 people and left more than three billion in lockdown.
"It is clear we are currently living in unprecedented times that require us to be flexible, open-minded and realistic," said European Athletics' interim president Dobromir Karamarinov.
European Athletics also announced its under-18 championships, originally scheduled for July in Italy, will not take place ...

European Athletics urges study into 'potential postponement' of Euro championships

Former road cycling world champion Alejandro Valverde revealed Wednesday that he wants to take part in next year's postponed 2020 Olympics despite turning 41 in 2021.
Valverde, who will celebrate his 40th birthday next month, announced in February that he would be retiring at the end of the 2021 season, making the yet-to-be-rescheduled Tokyo Games one of his last chances for a major honour.
"If the Games finally take place in the summer of 2021, if everything goes well and I'm still in good shape, I will go, even if I'll be 41 and everything will obviously be more complicated," Valverde said in a video published by his team Movistar on Twitter.
"If the selectors pick me, I'll go there to give my best." The 2009 Vuelta a Espana winner has never won an Olympic medal despite participating three times, in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
He is currently in isolation at his home in Spain, one of the countries worst-hit by the COVID-19 outbreak.
On Wednesday Spain joined Italy in seeing its number of ..

Ex-cycling world champ Valverde aiming for postponed Tokyo Games

Wellington Phoenix midfielder Tim Payne tearfully apologised Thursday for breaking COVID-19 quarantine in Australia when he drunkenly drove a golf buggy along a Sydney street.
Payne and his passenger in the buggy, teammate Oliver Sail, face the prospect of a heavy fine or suspension over the escapade in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"I'm incredibly sorry and incredibly embarrassed," Payne told New Zealand's Radio Sport.
"I take full responsiblity for my actions and what unfolded on that night... I 100-percent fully expect there to be repercussions."
The New Zealand-based Phoenix were in isolation in Sydney in the hope that they could play in the A-League if the Australian competition continued behind closed doors.
But the plan proved fruitless when the season was cancelled and the team returned home on Tuesday.
New Zealand international Payne, 26, said his teammates were drinking at their remote accommodation in northern Sydney on Monday night when he and Sail decided to take a .

A-League footballer breaks quarantine in golf buggy joyride

Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August.
All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.
"We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August," Gravina told Radio Marte.
"It's premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible."
The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2.
A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players' union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future.
"There are many issues," said Gravina.
As for the suspended ...

Italian football chief ready to finish season in August

The US Senate passed the nation's largest-ever rescue package late Wednesday, a USD 2 trillion lifeline to suffering Americans, depleted hospitals and an economy all ravaged by a rapidly spreading coronavirus crisis.
The monster deal thrashed out between Republicans, Democrats and the White House includes cash payments to American taxpayers and several hundred billion dollars in grants and loans to small businesses and core industries. It also buttresses hospitals desperately in need of medical equipment and expands unemployment benefits.
The measure cleared the Senate by an overwhelming majority and was headed next to the House of Representatives, which must also pass it before it goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.

$2 trillion rescue package passes US Senate, heads to House

Union Berlin players said they will forego their wages in an effort to help the Bundesliga club ride out the coronavirus storm.
Six days after fellow top-flight side Borussia Moenchenglandbach waived their salaries, Union followed suit.
Club management and other employees have agreed to short-time working arrangements, which will also result in salary cuts, said a statement.
"These are exceptional circumstances we have to deal with," said club president Dirk Zingler.
"Our club's purpose is football. If it ceases to exist, then it will touch the core of our existence.
"The management, our staff, the squad and backroom staff have worked hard in recent months to ensure success in the Bundesliga.
"Now they are giving up a lot of money to get through this crisis together."
Like all German sides, Union and Gladbach are set to lose income from broadcasting, sponsorships and ticket sales during the COVID-19 outbreak with all Bundesliga matches suspended until at least April 2.
On Tuesday, ...

Union Berlin players give up wages in virus fight

With the 2020 Olympics postponed until 2021, there are fears the delay will shatter the gold medal hopes of many ageing athletes.
AFP Sport looks at six evergreen stars for whom a delayed Tokyo Games might be a step too far.
ROGER FEDERER
=============
- The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who will be 40 in August 2021, won Olympic gold when he partnered Stan Wawrinka to the men's doubles title at the 2008 Beijing Games. Federer was a quarter-finalist in singles in China, silver medallist in 2012 in London before injury forced him skip the 2016 Games in Rio.
In Sydney, in 2000, Federer made the semi-finals in singles but he still remembers Australia fondly as it was the place where he first started his romance with Mirka Vavrinec, who is now his wife.
"Overall it was probably the most unbelievable Olympics I ever had," said Federer, who was also Switzerland's flag-bearer in Beijing and in Athens in 2004 where he exited in the second round.
SERENA WILLIAMS
===============
-- The US great .

Age concern: Six stars for whom Olympics in 2021 may come too late

British Olympic rower Polly Swann was counting down to Tokyo 2020 just days ago. Now she is considering starting her medical career early to help in the battle against the coronavirus.
The 31-year-old, who won a silver medal as part of the women's eight at the 2016 Games in Rio, was looking to go one better in Japan before beginning her new life on the hospital wards.
Swann said this week's decision to postpone the Olympics at least gives athletes clarity after weeks of uncertainty.
The former Edinburgh University student was gearing up to start her foundation programme as a doctor after competing in Japan but she said there were rumours that health chiefs in Scotland could be looking for reinforcements in the next few weeks as COVID-19 takes hold.
"I think I need to make some hard choices," said Swann, who was in a good position to win a place in the women's four.
"The Olympics are my dream and something very personal to me. I want to go and win an Olympic gold medal but also the ...

British rowing stars reset after Olympic let-down

Australia called Thursday for men's football at the postponed Tokyo Olympics to be changed from an Under-23 tournament to Under-24 so all players who helped their teams qualify can compete.
"We would like to open up discussion with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to consider adjusting the men's football tournament so that it becomes an U24 tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games," Football Federation of Australia CEO James Johnson said.
The decision to move the Tokyo Games from this July to July 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic has raised concerns across the sporting world that some Olympic hopefuls might not be able to participate due to age restrictions, or simply because they lose form or fitness.
Shifting football to an U24 format "would ensure the players who helped their nation qualify for the Games this year... have an opportunity to fulfil their dreams of representing their country and becoming Olympians", Johnson said in a statement.
Australia, like many ...

Australia calls for higher age limit at 2021 Olympics football

A US warship has sailed through the Taiwan Strait in a move certain to anger Beijing as the two countries trade barbs over the coronavirus.
The US Pacific Fleet sent a tweet on Thursday confirming the USS McCampbell, a guided missile destroyer, had transited the strait a day earlier.
Taiwan's defence ministry said the vessel was on a "routine mission" through the waterway separating the self-ruling island from Chinese mainland.
The ship's passage comes at a time of heightened political tensions between the US and China -- and after Beijing has repeatedly buzzed Taiwan with military jets and ships despite the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Beijing and Washington have traded barbs over the origin of the coronavirus, with President Donald Trump angering Beijing by calling it the "China virus".
Senior Chinese officials have also spread conspiracy theories about the virus' origin.
The Taiwan Strait is a flashpoint waterway for the world's navies.  China still claims Taiwan is part of its ...

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait during virus spat

Venezuela's first communications satellite, launched in 2008, is out of service due to a systems failure, the country's government has said.
"Due to a failure, the Simon Bolivar satellite is no longer working for communication," said the science and technology minister in a statement, without giving further details.
On Monday, the US-based news site Space News reported that VeneSat1 -- the satellite's other name -- "has been stuck for 10 days in an elliptical orbit," after a "series of maneuvers left it tumbling in an unusable orbit."
According to the Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities, the satellite was used to transmit certain television signals, as well as for internet connections and mobile telephone use.
It was built by China and baptized "Simon Bolivar" in honor of a national Venezuelan hero. It was launched in 2008, while Hugo Chavez was in office (1999-2013).
Venezuela launched a second satellite, the "Francisco de Miranda," in September 2012.

Venezuelan communications satellite out of service

A former FBI agent who mysteriously vanished in 2007 died in Iranian custody, his family has concluded, saying US intelligence had made them give up 13 years of hope.
President Donald Trump did not confirm Bob Levinson's death, saying that Iran had not communicated any news on the former agent, who would have turned 72 this month.
But Levinson's family said on Wednesday that it had learned that he was dead, although it gave no information on how or when.
"We recently received information from US officials that has led both them and us to conclude that our wonderful husband and father died while in Iranian custody," the family said in a statement.
"We don't even know when, or even if, his body would be returned to us. This is the very definition of cruelty." The family said Levinson died before the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Iran hard and led authorities to release thousands of prisoners temporarily.
Levinson is one of a number of Americans who have disappeared in arch-enemy ..

Ex-FBI agent missing for 13 years died in Iran custody, family says

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has ordered a 60-day freeze on moves by US troops and civilian defense employees overseas in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
The move stopped the deployment or redeployment of some 90,000 US service members for the next two months. It also freezes in place the families of service members who travelled overseas with their deployments.
"This measure is taken to aid in further prevention of the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), to protect US personnel and preserve the operational readiness of our global force," the Pentagon said in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement said Esper's order "is not expected to impact" the drawdown of some 4,000 US troops in Afghanistan targeted to be completed within 135 days of the February 29 peace pact with the Taliban.
As of Wednesday morning, the Pentagon said there were 435 current and recovered COVID-19 cases among military personnel, civilians, contractors and their families. One ...

AFP

AFP

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