South Africa reported that its number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus jumped to 709 on Wednesday from 554 the previous day, an increase of 28 per cent.
South Africa, which now has the highest numbers of infections on the continent, has ordered a 21-day lockdown which rolls into action at midnight on Thursday.
"Right now we have actually increased from yesterday, we are now at 709 cases," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in an interview on the state broadcaster SABC.
Mkhize, who reported 554 cases on Tuesday, said he expects the numbers to rise further in coming days an weeks.
Starting Wednesday last week the country closed its borders to non-citizens from high-risk countries.
The flag carrier South African Airways has also suspended all international, regional and domestic flights to curb the spread of the virus.
The country's first infections were imported from Europe, but the minister said there were now recording internal transmissions.
"The tendency is changing from ..

South Africa's coronavirus cases rise sharply to 709: Minister

PTI Automatic

The Diamond Princess, a coronavirus-hit cruise ship off Japan that saw 712 passengers and crew contracting the disease with 10 deaths, left its moorings in Yokohama Wednesday, a city official said.
The ship, which originally carried some 3,700 passengers and crew members, dominated international headlines as Japan's clumsy handling of its quarantine made it at one point the biggest cluster of coronavirus carriers outside China.
"Disinfection work has been finished. Quarantine confirmed that the work has been finished," a Yokohama city official told AFP.
"It is leaving the pier" around 0500 GMT, he said, without revealing where it was heading or how many crew members were onboard.
The departure ends the ship's troubled two-month stay in Yokohama where passengers on the luxury cruise were abruptly told to remain inside their small cabins for two-week quarantine from February 5, except for brief exercise time.
The ship arrived off Yokohama on February 3, after a former passenger left the 

Virus-striken Diamond Princess leaves Yokohama

The Islamic State group has claimed an attack on a Sikh-Hindu temple in central Kabul, according to the SITE intelligence group, in the latest assault by the extremist outfit targeting a minority group in Afghanistan.
IS said its fighters were currently carrying out an attack on the temple, according to a statement released by SITE, which monitors jihadist networks worldwide.

Islamic State group claims attack on Sikh-Hindu temple in Kabul: monitor

Huge crowds jammed trains and buses in Hubei province on Wednesday as people seized their first chance to travel after two months under lockdown at the epicentre of China's coronavirus outbreak.
Strict curbs on daily life are finally being lifted, allowing healthy people to head home and see loved ones after weeks of separation.
At a railway station in the city of Macheng, AFP reporters saw long lines of people lugging suitcases in the rain as they queued for trains.
Children in masks were among those waiting, while guards directed the crowds and station announcements offered details of trains to destinations across the country.
Footage from state news agency Xinhua showed migrant workers in Huanggang -- one of the cities worst-hit by the coronavirus outbreak -- queuing for long-distance coaches lugging bags and suitcases.
One unnamed worker said he was returning to Wenzhou in eastern Zhejiang province.
"I have been at home in Hubei for more than two months," he said.
Railway stations 

Hubei residents rush to leave China virus epicentre as lockdown lifts

For many in Japan, the postponement of the Olympics is a heartbreaking necessity. But for a small and motley crew opposed to the Games altogether, it doesn't go far enough.
"Damn it! We absolutely reject postponement. The Olympics should be cancelled and abolished," an umbrella group of anti-Games activists tweeted after the historic delay to the 2020 Olympics was announced.
Just minutes before Tuesday's dramatic decision, triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, a handful of activists gathered in central Tokyo holding one of their regular protests against the Games.
"We've been doing a monthly rally for various reasons. One of the things that most annoys me is the commercialism of the event," said 59-year-old Toshio Miyazaki, standing with protesters holding signs reading: "We are opposed to the Tokyo Olympics."
Miyazaki works for the Tokyo city government, a key partner in organising the 2020 Games, but he is vocal about his opposition to the event.
"The coronavirus situation is ...

Cancel them! For Olympic opponents in Japan, a delay isn't enough

Panama became the latest Latin American country to declare a lockdown due to the novel coronavirus Tuesday, while Paraguay closed its borders until the end of the week.
The Galapagos Islands also recorded their first cases and Mexico upped its outbreak response as Latin American countries continued to roll out measures to contain the COVID-19 disease.
President Laurentino Cortizo declared a total quarantine Tuesday to contain the rapid spread of the deadly novel coronavirus in the Central American country, which has seen 443 confirmed cases and eight deaths -- the most in the region.
The measure will begin at 5:01 am (1000 GMT) Wednesday morning  until further notice, Cortizo said on Twitter.
Citizens will still be allowed out of their homes for short periods for necessities, such as purchasing food and going to the bank.
President Mario Abdo Benitez closed the country's borders until Sunday following a second death from COVID-19.
"People can only leave, not enter," said Interior ...

Panama orders lockdown, Paraguay closes borders

The Senate and White House have reached agreement on a USD 2 trillion stimulus package for the US economy and millions of Americans ravaged by the coronavirus crisis, top lawmakers said early Wednesday.
"At last, we have a deal," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, hailing the massive "wartime level of investment into our nation" reached after five days of arduous and tense negotiations.
"We have a bipartisan agreement on the largest rescue package in American history," top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said shortly after McConnell spoke.
"So many people are being put out of work through no fault of their own. They don't know what their future is going to be like, how are they going to pay the bills," Schumer added.
"Well, we come to their rescue."
The Senate and House of Representatives still need to pass the legislation before sending it to President Donald Trump for his signature.
McConnell said the Senate will vote on the measure later Wednesday.
The deal aims to buttress 

US Senate, White House agree on USD 2 trillion rescue for virus-hit US economy

Three US sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, the first cases reported on a US Navy ship currently on deployment, officials said on Tuesday.
The three have been evacuated and all those they had come into contact with on the vessel, which has more than 5,000 personnel on board, have been quarantined, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas B. Modly told reporters.
The ship was last in port in Vietnam 15 days ago but Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday said it was difficult to connect the cases to a particular port visit.
"We took great precautions when the crew came back from that shore visit, and did enhanced medical screenings of the crew," he said.
Overall, the Navy has 86 coronavirus cases, including 57 active-duty service members, he said.
Last week the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer -- currently in port in San Diego according to US media -- reported one of its personnel had tested "presumptive positive" for the 

Three US sailors test positive for virus on aircraft carrier

Asian equities soared again Wednesday after US lawmakers finally agreed a mammoth stimulus package to support the world's top economy against the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
While the deadly disease continues to spread, traders have a rare semblance of optimism after weeks of carnage across global markets, with eyes fixed on Washington where lawmakers in the early hours thrashed out an emergency bill worth as much as $2 trillion -- around 10 percent of US gross domestic product.
"At last, we have a deal," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, citing the massive "wartime level of investment into our nation".
The prospect of a massive spending splurge, combined with the Federal Reserve's pledge to essentially print as much cash is needed, sent Wall Street into overdrive Tuesday, with the Dow seeing its biggest rise since 1933, while the S&P 500 enjoyed its best day in more than a decade.
And the gains spread into Asia, which rallied for a second straight day, with ...

Asia markets surge as US agrees blockbuster stimulus package

Hundreds of luxury apartments overlooking Tokyo Bay that were due to be converted from the Athletes' Village have already been sold -- just one of the many headaches caused by the historic postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.
Touted by developers as a "flagship neighbourhood for urban lifestyles", the buildings housing the 11,000 competitors were to be hastily repurposed into more than 4,000 condos with stunning city views, some carrying a price tag of 170 million yen ($1.5 million).
The decision to postpone the Games by up to a year has pitched buyers into uncertainty, according to Zoe Ward, director of Tokyo Property Central, with close to 900 units already snapped up.
"Even if it's not a financial hit, it's going to be a big inconvenience to them," Ward told AFP.
She added that buyers would now be scouring the small print of their contracts to see if they can pull out without losing their deposits -- usually around five percent.
"The wording they put in the contract is pretty vague, 

A concrete problem: Olympic delay spells limbo on Athletes' Village

Tokyo Olympics

The Tokyo Shimbun headlined its coverage "surprise and embarrassment", but conceded in an article that the situation left organisers and Olympic officials with few options

2020 Olympic delay puts Japan in a spin; athletes, media welcome decision

Business Standard

US footballer Carli Lloyd planned to call time on a spectacular career after Tokyo 2020 -- but now that plan is on hold.
Lloyd, a two-time women's world player of the year and a two-time World Cup winner, scored the goals that delivered gold to the United States in two Olympics.
The 37-year-old said the decision to push back the Games, originally scheduled to run July 24-August 9, to 2021 was the right one in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
"This is bigger than sport, it's bigger than an Olympics," Lloyd said in a television interview after the International Olympic Committee announced the postponement on Tuesday.
"I definitely think it's the right call.
"Disappointed, but I think for the safety of everybody, it's definitely the best thing," she said, adding: "You get another year to prepare for Olympics, time to get better, more fit."
Lloyd, 37, said the restrictions on team training and cancellation of friendlies that came as health authorities imposed social distancing ...

US football star Lloyd calls Tokyo postponement 'right call'

The next two rounds of the World Rally Championship (WRC), in Portugal (21-24 May) and Italy (4-7 June), have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced.
"All parties will work to identify potential alternative dates for the postponed rallies later in the season should the COVID-19 situation improve, taking into consideration championship logistics, the ability of competitors to travel again and the ability of the country in question to prepare and host the WRC at such a time," said WRC Promoter managing director Oliver Ciesla in a statement.
The first three rallies of the season - in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Mexico - were run, though Sweden was curtailed by lack of snow and Mexico ended a day early because of the pandemic. The Argentina rally, scheduled for 23-26 April, had already been postponed.
The WRC and the FIA added they "continue to closely monitor the situation in affected countries due to host future rounds, as ...

Portuguese, Italian rallies postponed due to coronavirus

The German Football League (DFL) announced it will propose the  Bundesliga suspension, due to the coronavirus pandemic, is extended to late-April.
On March 16, the DFL, which runs Germany's two top divisions, put them on hold until at least April 2 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The DFL will propose the extension to its 36  clubs at a meeting on March 31.
"The Presidium of the General Assembly will recommend a further suspension of game operations in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 until at least April 30" the DFL said.
It repeated its aim to finish the campaigns before June 30 and added: "The DFL is currently working intensively on concepts to play games at a given time - due to the situation - even without  spectators and with a minimal use of workers in the areas of sport, general organisation and the media."
Television rights represent a large part of the income for top-flight clubs and playing games behind closed doors but live on television would lower the financial impact of 

Officials to propose extending Bundesliga suspension to April 30

Oil prices rallied in Asia Wednesday on signs the US Congress was nearing an agreement on a massive stimulus package to help the coronavirus-ravaged American economy, tracking record Wall Street gains.
International benchmark Brent crude was up 2.9 per cent to trade at nearly USD 28 per barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 3.5 per cent to nearly USD 25 per barrel.
Both contracts have hit multi-year lows in recent weeks as lockdowns and travel restrictions to fight the virus hit demand, and with top producers Saudi Arabia and Russia engaged in a price war.
Wednesday's gains came after the Dow surged 11.4 per cent, its biggest one-day percentage increase since 1933, on indications Congress is nearing agreement on a rescue package for the US economy that could amount to more than USD 2 trillion.
Markets were also cheered by the G7's promise to do "whatever is necessary", and the Fed's announcement Monday that it would inject unlimited money into the financial system ...

Oil prices rally on hopes for US stimulus

Asian equities soared again Wednesday following a blockbuster day in New York and Europe as US lawmakers edge towards a mammoth stimulus package to support the world's top economy against the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
While the deadly disease continues to spread, traders have a rare semblance of optimism after weeks of carnage across global markets, with eyes fixed on Washington where lawmakers are thrashing out an emergency bill worth as much as USD 2 trillion - around 10 per cent of US gross domestic product.
"At this point, of the few outstanding issues, I don't see any that can't be overcome in the next few hours," top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer told the chamber after meeting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
The optimism, shared by Republican leaders and Mnuchin, was a ray of hope after partisan infighting had led to talks breaking down earlier this week.
The prospect of a massive spending splurge, combined with the Federal Reserve's pledge to essentially print as ..

Asia markets track Wall St surge as US targets blockbuster bill

Cristiano Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes will donate three intensive care units to Portuguese hospitals to help them cope with the coronavirus pandemic, local health officials said on Tuesday.
The Portuguese pair will donate to at least two institutions and will give "two intensive care units", with a "capacity of 10 beds each" to the University Hospital Centre of Northern Lisbon (CHULN), a group of hospitals in the country's capital city, a spokesman told AFP.
CHULN currently has a capacity of 77 beds.
Mendes and Ronaldo will also donate a unit to the Santo Antonio Hospital of the University Hospital Center of Porto.
"This is a very important investment that includes more than a dozen respirators and other necessary equipment," Eurico Castro Alves, director of the hospital's surgery department, told newspaper Jornal de Noticias, adding the unit would bear their names.
"If necessary, Cristiano Ronaldo would like to do the same in Madeira," he added.
Juventus forward Ronaldo has ...

Ronaldo, agent donate intensive care units to Portuguese hospitals

Prospective Olympic competitors were quick out of the blocks on Tuesday after the Tokyo Games were postponed until 2021 and most gave the decision the thumbs up on social media.
The consensus was the International Olympic Committee had made the right decision in the face of the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
"All in all a very wise decision," tweeted Eliud Kipchoge, the Olympic marathon champion and the only man to run the distance in less than two hours.
"I look forward to come back to Japan to defend my Olympic title next year and look forward to witness a wonderful event."
Italian cyclist Elia Viviani, a track gold medallist in Rio in 2016, whose country has recorded most deaths from COVID-19, summed up much of the reaction when he tweeted: "Postponing the Olympics to 2021 is the best decision for me. Today we are all struggling with a much bigger problem....So Olympics see you in 2021!"
One of his sprint rivals, Britain's Mark Cavendish said: "BIG news and it's ...

Prospective Olympians give postponement plenty of likes

Manufacturers are on a mission to produce desperately needed medical ventilators for the coronavirus pandemic, even if it means converting assembly lines now making auto parts.
Along with a shortage of masks and gloves, the spread of COVID-19 to almost every corner of the globe has highlighted a great need for specialised machines that help keep severely afflicted patients alive.
"As the global pandemic evolves, there is unprecedented demand for medical equipment, including ventilators," said Kieran Murphy, head of GE Healthcare.
The group has hired more workers and is now making them around the clock.  Swedish group Getinge is also ramping up output to meet what it called exponential growth in demand from around the world.
All the equipment that is normally used for demonstrations, training or trade fairs was immediately made available for clients, a statement said.  French group Air Liquide has plans to raise its ventilator production from 500 a month to 1,100 in April.
Draeger, a ..

Industry races to meet demand for ventilators

British Olympic gold medal hopefuls Katerina Johnson-Thompson, Adam Peaty and Dina Asher-Smith expressed their relief after Tokyo 2020 was delayed until next year on Tuesday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All three world champions had expressed their frustration at the delay of a decision on the Games, while countries across the globe imposed stringent restrictions on movement and travel to control the spread of the virus.
"A lot of athletes can breathe," Olympic 100m breast stroke champion Peaty told BBC Sport. "We felt under pressure to train and compete.
"The decision from the IOC (International Olympic Committee) lifts that release that we don't have to be in shape over summer and we don't have to put unnecessary risk on others."
Johnson-Thompson is hoping to add to her world championship gold in the heptathlon last year with Olympic gold after missing out on the podium at Rio 2016.
"Waited 8 years for this, what's another 1 in the grand scheme of things?" Johnson-Thompson posted ..

'What's another year?' British stars relieved at Olympic delay

The third fight in Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder's heavyweight rivalry has been postponed as the coronavirus pandemic grips the United States and Britain, ESPN reported on Tuesday.
Britain's Fury, who dethroned unbeaten WBC champion Wilder with a dominant victory in seven rounds last month, had been due to defend his crown in Las Vegas on July 18.
But promoter Bob Arum told ESPN on Tuesday the rematch had now been rescheduled until October at the earliest because of the COVID-19 outbreak which has brought the sporting world to a standstill.
With travel restrictions affecting both the US and Britain, and Las Vegas' casinos shuttered, Arum said a postponement was the only sensible option.
"You could not guarantee the fighters that the event would take place on that date. We couldn't convince them or ourselves," Arum said.
"Where were they going to train for it? It just made no sense. You just have to take a step back. How are you going to sell tickets?
"It's absolutely ridiculous to say 

AFP

AFP

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