Italy became the second country in Europe to officially record more than 30,000 COVID-19 deaths on Friday. The UK continues to have the highest death toll across the Old Continent.
Key developments
Italy on Friday became the second European country to officially record more than 30,000 COVID-19 deaths
US unemployment reached its highest level since records began in 1948 with 20.5 million jobs lost in April, official figures show
WHO 'deeply troubled' by a spike in domestic violence in locked down Europe
Banksy pays tribute to 'superhero' nurses in new piece donated to hospital
Boris Johnson is to unveil the UK's lockdown exit roadmap on Sunday
**WHO warned that between 83,000 and 190,000 could die from COVID-19 across the African continent this year if containment measures fail.
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine seeing an increase in cases, says WHO
Nine die in Hungary after being ejected from hospital to free space for COVID-19
Latest updates
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Queen Elizabeth says 'streets are filled with love' as she references coronavirus during VE Day Speech
"Instead, we remember from our homes and from our doorsteps. But our streets are not empty.
"They are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.
"And when I look at our country today, and see what we are willing to do - protect and support one another - I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire."
Thousands protest against government in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana
The demonstrations were sparked after alleged political pressure was revealed during the purchasing of protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic.
Many of the protesters on Friday wore masks as they undertook the march.
US unemployment at 14.7%: record 20.5M jobs wiped out in April
Socially distant ceremonies across Europe to mark 75th anniversary of VE Day
France's death toll rises by 243
EU Commission advises borders remain closed until June 15
Number of deaths in Italy passes 30,000
UK death toll rises to 31,241
This figure includes "deaths in all settings," Environment Secretary George Eustice said.
'There is a path out' of pandemic: WHO
Russia experiencing 'delayed epidemic': WHO
WHO unit 'looking at wastewater'
WHO celebrates 40 years since the eradication of smallpox
COVID-19 'has exposed fundamental tensions' between EU and China
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told Euronews that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed “fundamental tensions” between Brussels and Beijing.
Rudd, now president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, says the emergence of the new coronavirus had also disrupted Chinese global strategy in attempting to replace their declining relation with the US via stronger ties with the European Union.
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Czechs so far avoid worst of COVID-19 despite lenient lockdown
Nurseries, gyms and small shops in the Czech Republic reopened this week and by May 25 almost all business activity is set to resume.
At the time of writing, the country — population 10.6 million — has seen 270 COVID-19 deaths and more than 8,000 infections.
That's despite one of the facets of life under lockdown being the relative freedom to engage in outdoor activities, even though the government advises to the contrary.
Dutch COVID-19 death toll now at 5,359
Lufthansa will increase number of European flights, serving 106 destinations
Lufthansa will increase the number of its flights this month as European countries begin to lift coronavirus restrictions.
This means that a total of 106 destinations, mostly in Germany and Europe, can be served in the coming month, the company said in a statement on Friday.
Almost all of the group's 760 planes are currently grounded and the number of passengers has dropped by 99%, AFP reported.
"We sense a great desire and longing among people to travel again," said Harry Hohmeister, member of the Executive Board of German Lufthansa AG.
"It goes without saying that the safety and health of our guests and employees are of the highest priority," he added in the statement.
Passengers will have to wear masks on board the flights.
US unemployment reaches record level
There were 20.5 million jobs lost in April.
Shops, restaurants, and most schools to reopen in Denmark
British Gurkhas in Nepal rescue 130 stranded Britons and foreign nationals
"In some instances, the soldiers and drivers were forced to set up camp for the night on the side of the road because of the long and hazardous journeys," it added.
Europe airlifts supplies and medical staff to C.A.R
Euronews was at Lyon airport to witness its departure.
EU Commission delivers 1.5 million masks to member states
Nearly half of Northern Ireland's COVID-19 deaths recorded in care homes
190,000 could die in Africa from COVID-19: WHO
Researchers say eyes could be important entry point for virus
Dr. Michael Chan, an Associate Professor at Hong Kong University's School of Public Health, talked to Euronews today.
Pandemic unleashes tsunami of hate and xenophobia, UN secretary-general says
Guterres implored governments to work towards "social cohesion" and for people to stand up against hate speech in a video message posted to Twitter.
"We have a duty to protect people, end stigma, and prevent violence," Guterres said.
Russia records more than 10,000 new infections for sixth consecutive day
Russia recorded 10,699 new cases in the last 24 hours, more than half of which are located in Moscow.
Russia has a total 187,859 cases and 1,723 deaths. There were 98 additional deaths in the past 24 hours.
Russia is now fifth in the world for cases, but Russian authorities say that is due to an increase in tests and not by an acceleration of the outbreak, AFP reports.
German exports drop 11.8% in a month
German exports were down 11.8% in March 2020 compared to the previous month, the country's statistics bureau said.
It was the worst month-on-month decline since German reunification in August 1990.
Imports fell by 5.1% in the worst decline since January 2009.
Germany exported €108.9 billion worth of goods and €91.6 billion worth of goods in March 2020.
U.S. unemployment could be 16% in April
The U.S. government on Friday is poised to report the worst set of jobs numbers since record-keeping began in 1948, a snapshot of the devastating damage the coronavirus outbreak has inflicted on the economy, AP reported.
The unemployment rate for April could reach 16% or more, according to economists surveyed by the data provider FactSet. Twenty-one million jobs may have been lost. If so, it would mean that nearly all the job growth in the 11 years since the Great Recession ended had vanished in one month.
Poll finds 69% of Britons think government has handled PPE badly
In the latest research by pollsters YouGov, 69% of Brits said that throughout the coronavirus outbreak the government have handled the issue of PPE badly - and this includes a majority of Conservative voters (56%).
A lack of PPE - personal protective equipment - by nurses and other health workers, as well as generally, has been a major issue in the UK and across Europe.
Macron calls for closer cooperation with Russia over virus
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the common memory of World War II should bring France and Russia together in the fight against the coronavirus.
Despite tensions with Russia over its actions in Ukraine, in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Macron said the virus pandemic “peace and stability on the continent and in the rest of the world more necessary than ever,” according to a statement.
He was speaking as both countries marked the end of World War II 75 years ago.
EU confirms 150m euro aid to Pakistan
The European Union promised Pakistan 150 million euros ($163 million) to fight the spread of COVID-19 as the country's daily infection rate continues to climb steadily along with its death rate.
Pakistan recorded another daily high Friday with 1,574 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 25,837 — one of the highest rates in the region after Iran, which has reported more than 103,000.
New infections in South Korea
South Korean officials are concerned after finding more than a dozen coronavirus infections linked to clubgoers in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area.
The new infections raised fears about another surge in transmissions after the country had eased social distancing measures amid a slowing caseload the past few weeks.
South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 12 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours before midnight Thursday, the first time in five days the daily jump was more than 10.