3,000 police on Berlin's streets for protest against German Covid-19 response

Protesters in Berlin hold up placards featuring pictures of German lawmakers and the word "Guilty." Credit: Fred Pleitgen

About 3,000 police officers have been deployed on the streets of Berlin ahead of a mass protest against the German government’s response to the coronavirus that is expected to attract 20,000 people.

Berlin police tweeted on their official account:

Earlier this week, Berlin’s state government announced that it would prohibit the demonstration from taking place, citing potential violations of the government’s coronavirus regulations.

But the ban was lifted on Friday following an urgent ruling by the Berlin Administrative Court on Friday. 

“The assembly against the coronavirus policy of the federal and state governments planned for August 29, 2020 by the initiative Lateral Thinking 711 can take place after an urgent ruling,” the court said in a statement. 

According to the court’s statement, police anticipate more than 20,000 people will attend on Saturday.

Fans cheer Italy's Vincenzo Nibali in the last kilometer before the finish line of the 20th stage of the Tour de France in Val Thorens in 2019.  Credit: Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images

It's set to be a Tour de France like no other.

Watched on television by millions across the world, the annual race is deeply embedded in French culture as it weaves its way across stunning countryside and vertiginous mountains, as well as through picturesque towns and cities before concluding on Paris' Champs-Elysées.

The Tour is normally held during July, but the global pandemic put paid to that idea, hence the August 29 start. The pandemic and a recent spike in new infections in France has also left organizers with a real logistical challenge in how best to stage the 23-day race.

Adding to organizers' worries, the Alpes-Maritimes region -- the site of the opening stages of the race -- has been declared a red zone because of a recent rise in Covid-19 cases.

In red zones, the authorities are able to make masks compulsory outdoors. But with the French government ready for worst-case scenarios with plans for local or national lockdown in place, questions are being asked as to whether the Tour will even reach Paris.

Teams will be expelled from the 2020 event if two riders or members of staff show strong symptoms or test positive for Covid-19.

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The Notting Hill Carnival sees about 1 million people descend on the streets of west London. Credit: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images Europe

Vibrant parades, feathered dancers, infectious live music, and the aroma of delectable Afro-Caribbean cuisine -- these are the things many people look forward to when they descend on the streets of west London during the UK's August holiday weekend.

But, for the first time in its 54-year history, Notting Hill Carnival will be an entirely virtual affair after falling victim to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The annual street party, which was originally scheduled for August 30 and 31 and normally draws more than a million people to the city's Notting Hill, Westbourne Park, and Kensington districts, was canceled in May in response to restrictions on mass events.

Instead, one of Britain's biggest cultural events will be live streamed online so disappointed revelers can still celebrate the carnival culture and arts at home. 

Announcing "Notting Hill Carnival 2020: Access All Areas," organizers have promised a three-day celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture like no other.

The virtual incarnation of the event "founded to bring people together during trying times" kicks off on Saturday.

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What's the perfect pandemic hobby? As people across the globe have adjusted their lives to Covid-19, activities as varied as bread baking and gaming have trended.

But while carbs and screen time can bring a satisfying rush of endorphins, the ideal Covid pastime should offer more sustaining thrills. That means an activity that's good for your body, mind and the planet.

For some, it's a first-time foray into gardening, a low-impact physical activity that has been shown to reduce stress levels. Another option is the UK-led trend of "wild swimming," seeking out the nearest open water for a mind-clearing dip. (Want to double down on the benefits? Try ice swimming.)

If you'd prefer to stay on dry land, explore your neighborhood by running. All you need is a pair of shoes: or not. 

Whatever you choose, remember that even in the most trying moments, it's worth taking the time to care for yourself. Your body — and the planet — will thank you.

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Serena Williams has chosen private accommodation over the US Open hotel provided for players after past health scares including pulmonary embolisms. Credit: Dylan Buell/Getty Images North America

When Wimbledon was canceled amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it became the first of tennis' grand slams to be scrapped since World War II in 1945. 

There was uncertainty, too, surrounding the next major, the US Open, but the event is going ahead in New York with no fans, no mixed doubles and limited fields in men's and women's doubles. This despite tournament revenue -- which hit $399.6 million in 2019 -- being expected to drop by as much as 80%.

Be it in the NBA, NHL or Champions League, bubbles are the new norm in sports, accompanied by coronavirus tests and temperature checks. 

The US Open is also operating a bubble, with players and their limited entourages being shuttled to and from the tournament's hotels to the tennis site in Flushing Meadows, Queens. Instead of the usual accommodation in swanky, high-rent Manhattan, all but a few are staying in Long Island at the Long Island Marriott and Garden City hotel. 

Players got used to the new setup this week -- since a warm-up tournament normally held in Cincinnati, Ohio, is being staged at the US Open site -- with few complaints so far.

"They're putting on different food in the evenings for the players. We can get delivery. Room is absolutely fine. You have a gym there. So, yeah, it's absolutely fine."

Private housing was an option given to players but Murray declined because he said costs were "astronomical." 

But Serena Williams -- making a ninth attempt at landing a record 24th grand slam title -- and Novak Djokovic preferred their own digs. 

For Williams, past health scares including pulmonary embolisms swayed her decision. 

Djokovic, who tested positive for the coronavirus after his ill fated Adria Tour was cut short, is based at a home described by the New York Times as "nestled amid trees."

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Children can carry coronavirus in their noses and throats for weeks even if they don't show any symptoms, which might explain how the virus can spread silently, researchers in South Korea reported Friday.

"Interestingly, this study aligns with adult data in which up to 40% of adults may remain asymptomatic in the face of infection," Dr. Roberta DeBiasi and Dr. Meghan Delaney, both of Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, wrote in an accompanying editorial. Neither was involved in the research.

The study comes out at a time when the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been criticized for changing its guidelines on asymptomatic testing, which the American Academy of Pediatrics called "a dangerous step backward" in a statement on Friday

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A worker disinfects an alley to prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread on August 29, in Seoul, South Korea. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

There were 323 new coronavirus infections recorded in South Korea on Friday -- 308 of which were local transmissions, according to the nation’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

It comes as health authorities announced they have been unable to trace 19.4% of the country's total confirmed cases over the past two weeks, with epidemiological investigators still working to figure out the infection routes, KCDC Vice Director Kwon Joon-wook said.

So far, 1,018 confirmed cases have been linked to Seoul’s Sarang-jeil Church infection cluster, while another 307 are linked to anti-government rallies in Seoul on August 15, according to the KCDC.

The national tally of confirmed Covid-19 cases stands at 19,400. South Korea's coronavirus death toll is 321.

According to Johns Hopkins University, 46,156 new cases of the novel coronavirus have been diagnosed in the United States in the past 24 hours -- taking the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 5,913,941.

There were 976 new coronavirus-related deaths recorded on Friday, according to Johns Hopkins, with the US death toll now 181,800 overall.

The totals include cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other US territories, as well as repatriated cases. 

For regular updates on the Covid-19 situation in the US, follow CNN’s map, which refreshes every 15 mins: 

A member of the Indian Parliament died at a hospital in the southern state of Tamil Nadu Friday evening, after contracting Covid-19.

H. Vasanthakumar was a member of India’s main opposition Congress party and represented Tamil Nadu in Parliament. 

Vasanthakumar is the latest Indian politician to die of Covid-19. Earlier in August, former state cabinet minister and international cricketer Chetan Chauhan died after testing positive. 

India is among the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, with the third-highest number of infections and fourth-highest death toll. As of Saturday, it had 3,463,972 confirmed coronavirus cases and 62,550 related deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally.