Berlin police halt march protesting against government's Covid-19 response

Roughly 20,000 people were expected at the protest in Berlin against the German government's handling of the pandemic. Credit: Fred Pleitgen

Berlin police have ordered a halt to a march protesting the German government’s Covid-19 response due to non-compliance with social distancing guidelines.

Around 3,000 police officers have been deployed to monitor the march that is headed to Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg gate where up to 20,000 people are expected to gather. 

“All previous measures have not led to compliance with the requirements,” police added, specifically “non-compliance with the distance regulations according to the Infection Protection Act, despite constant requests by the meeting management & our colleagues.”

Coronavirus outbreaks have been identified among several hundred students at Kansas State University. 

The students at four sororities have been told to quarantine for 14 days from the day the outbreak was declared. Alpha Delta Pi and Alpha Xi Delta have six cases each, while Chi Omega and Kappa Delta have five cases apiece, the Riley County Health Department said Friday. 

More than 60 US universities and colleges in at least 36 states have reported positive cases of Covid-19, and some have returned to remote learning to try to stem the spread. More than 8,700 infections among American college students and staff were reported through Friday, as the nation approaches 6 million confirmed cases.

At Kansas State, event permits associated with fraternity and sorority organizations through September 10 have been canceled or revoked.

At the university’s main campus, 364 students are in quarantine, and 167 students are in isolation, the school said in a news release, noting an increase of 149 in quarantine and 49 in isolation since last week. The entire student population reports a 3.82% positivity rate, the release states.

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Brazilian indigenous people of the Marubo ethnic group wait to see doctors from the Brazilian Armed Forces' medical team at a health post in Amazonas state. Credit: Evaristo Sa/AFP via Getty Images)

Remote indigenous communities in Brazil, who have little or no contact with the outside world, are facing a grave threat from Covid-19 -- and advocates accuse the government of failing to protect these vulnerable groups. 

The virus has already killed a member of the Marubo and a member of the Tikuna indigenous people living in the remote Javari Valley, and more than 450 people have been infected, according to the Brazilian government. 

Overall, some 800,000 indigenous people live in villages throughout Brazil. The largest concentration of isolated communities is based in the Javari Valley, a region the size of Austria, located in southwest Amazonas state, near the border with Peru.

In March, when the coronavirus was first reported in Brazil, a government agency overseeing indigenous affairs said it would bar entry to the Valley so that outsiders couldn't spread the virus. 

But that didn't happen, advocates say.

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Ukraine registered a record 2,481 cases of coronavirus in 24 hours, its government announced on Saturday citing the country's Center for Public Health Statistics. 

The increase comes as a temporary ban on foreign visitors to Ukraine came into effect on Saturday. It will last until midnight on September 28. Some travelers are exempt from the ban, including foreign nationals residing in Ukraine, those in transit and diplomats.

Earlier this week, the government extended the flexible lockdown measures currently in place until the end of October. 

The numbers: The country has so far reported a total of 116,978 infections and 2,492 deaths from the virus. The highest case numbers have been recorded in Lviv region and the capital Kiev.

People wait in line to take a Covid-19 test in Karachi, Pakistan, on July 23. Rizwan Tabassum/AFP

Pakistan recorded just one death from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, according to numbers released by its Ministry of Health. This is Pakistan’s lowest death toll since March. 

The country recorded 319 infections in the past day. The total number of confirmed cases currently stands at 295,372. Pakistan’s total recorded death toll from Covid-19 is 6,284.

Reopening the nation: Pakistan’s government earlier this month announced it was reopening tourist hotspots, restaurants, salons, and cinemas after a continued drop in coronavirus infections in the country.

Asad Umar, Pakistan’s planning minister said at the time that the outbreak had been controlled "due to the effective strategy of government institutions.”

Umar also confirmed that educational institutions and marriage halls would be opened on September 15 and restrictions on already operational trains and airlines would be lifted in October.

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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