(Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macron announced a nationwide four-week lockdown, closing schools and business, in the latest and alarming sign that Europe is yet again losing control of the pandemic.
“We did everything we could to make these decisions as late as possible, when they became strictly necessary. That is now,” Macron said in a televised address on Wednesday. New variants make the virus “more contagious and deadlier,” he said.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iran leader Rouhani criticizes Biden for 'no efforts' to rejoin nuclear deal.
Iraq PM seeks to soothe security concern on Saudi visit.
U.S. announces more than $596 million in new humanitarian aid for Syria crisis: Blinken.
ASIA
Myanmar junta makes ceasefire offer, but not to protesters.
Japan suspends new aid to Myanmar over coup.
Philippines demands China remove vessels at 6 islands, reefs.
China pushes to expand virus origin search beyond its border.
China sharply reduces elected seats in Hong Kong legislature.
Japanese textbooks stir controversy in South Korea for 'distorting history'.
AFRICA
U.N. warns civilians, including kids, facing "unspeakable horror" in ISIS siege on Mozambique town.
UN concerned over Russian mercenaries in CAR.
Ethiopian rebels blamed for 'terror attack' in restive west.
In stark warning, Egypt leader says Nile water ‘untouchable’.
Ever Given crew may reportedly face house arrest over Suez Canal incident.
EUROPE
Macron locks down France: Schools and shops close and national 7pm curfew introduced as COVID third wave surges across Europe.
Austria negotiates to buy 1mn doses of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine as Chancellor Kurz rejects ‘geopolitical blinkers’.
Italy orders 2 Russian Embassy officials expelled for spying.
EU takes Poland to court over judicial independence concerns.
AMERICAS
Coronavirus surge could be worse than the last for the Americas -PAHO.
15 MILLION doses of J&J vaccine ruined in ‘ingredient mixup accident’ at Baltimore plant, delaying US shipments & triggering probe.
'In the middle of a war zone': thousands flee as Venezuela troops and Colombia rebels clash.
Brazil discovers new coronavirus variant similar to one from South Africa.
Bank of Canada head alarmed by rising household debt amid hot housing market: interview.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Inside Mozambique as Africa becomes new frontline of ISIS terror for 'next 20 years'.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
S&P 500 climbs, closing out its 4th straight quarterly gain.
As US newspapers slide toward abyss, a bidding war breaks out.
World Bank commits to implementing global warming policies: Reuters.
The World Economic Forum says it will take an extra 36 years to close the gender gap.
