europe

Italy shuts down 4 regions as Europe tries lighter lockdowns

By Associated Press

The new restrictions — which led to closures of a patchwork of nonessential businesses — allow a great deal more freedom than Italy’s near-total 10-week lockdown that started in March.

Europe tightens restrictions as COVID-19 hospitalizations rise

By Elena Becatoros, Associated Press

Coronavirus have hit new daily highs this week in Russia, and Germany and the U.K. have announced plans to expand virus testing as European countries battle rapidly increasing infection and hospitalizations.

WHO says Europe now has more than 10 million COVID-19 cases

By Maria Cheng, Associated Press

WHO European regional director Dr. Hans Kluge said Thursday that "hospitalizations have risen to levels unseen since the spring" and that deaths have risen by more than 30% in the last week.

France, Germany impose new lockdowns to curb virus spread

By Frank Jordans, Angela Charlton, Associated Press

The World Health Organization says the European region — which includes Russia, Turkey, Israel and Central Asia, according to its definition — accounted for almost half of the 2.8 million new coronavirus cases reported globally last week.

As virus spreads throughout Europe, French doctor warns his country has 'lost control'

By Angela Charlton, Mike Corder, Associated Press

France declared a state of emergency earlier this month and has been imposing more and more restrictions since September to try to ease the pressure on France’s hospitals.

Czech PM asks health minister to resign for breaking coronavirus restrictions

By Karel Janicek, Associated Press

The Czech Republic’s prime minister has called on his health minister to resign or be fired after he broke strict government restrictions to slow a record surge of coronavirus infections and visited a Prague restaurant.

European nations mixed in their response to COVID-19 spikes

By Mike Corder, Associated Press

As the resurgence of the global pandemic sweeps across the continent, local and national governments also are facing swelling opposition to the new measures.

Facing terror charges, Basque separatist group ETA's last boss apologizes for deaths

By Aritz Parra, Angela Charlton, Associated Press

Josu Urrutikoetxea, the last known chief of now-extinct Basque separatist militant group ETA, is going on trial in Paris for terrorism charges, which he deems “absurd" because of his role in ending its long-standing conflict.

Wales locks down as COVID-19 cases spike

By Danica Kirka, Associated Press

Wales has become the second nation in the United Kingdom to lock down large swaths of the economy to combat a second wave of coronavirus infections even as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is resisting calls to do the same throughout…