1. Der Spiegel: " Laboratory origin theory is a trick to divert attention in the United States!"

US President Trump and Secretary of State Pompeo recently vigorously spread the "New Crown Virus Chinese Laboratory Origin Theory", saying that they have already obtained very convincing evidence. However, the German media Der Spiegel reported that the federal government considers this accusation to be a strategy to divert attention. 

(Via. GermanReport)

2. The federal government allocates 750 million euros to support research and development of COVID19 vaccine

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), up to now, there are about 100 COVID-19 vaccine projects in the world. In order to jointly fight against the epidemic of all mankind, in addition to international project funding, the German federal government decided to launch another national plan to provide a huge research fund of 750 million euros for vaccine research and development, which is also the highest amount in the history of the Federal Ministry of Education. Research funding. Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek said today: "In this special period, vaccine development is competing against every second, we must mobilize all our strengths, hoping to provide effective vaccines to the world as soon as possible."

(Via. GermanReport)

3. The number of parcels hit a record, but express-delivery firms declined an extra bonus for the deliveryman

DIE WELT: During the epidemic, the number of packages sent and received by Deutsche Post set a record. During Easter this year, Deutsche Post delivered 9 million parcels, almost 1.8 times the previous year, and 100,000 couriers were busy. And in April alone, Deutsche Post recruited 4,000 newcomers, most of whom worked full-time. However, the union's request for a one-time performance bonus of 1,000 euros for the courier was rejected by Deutsche Post. The person in charge Frank Appel said, "It is not the time to pay bonuses." At present, the union is planning to ask employees to raise wages in the upcoming collective bargaining.

(Via.GermanReport)

4. Unemployment in Austria drops

"Heute": Austrian Labor Minister Aschbach said that currently, Austria has about 504,000 people unemployed, 46,000 people have received employment training, 1.3 million people are engaged in short-time work, a total of about 1.8 million people. The number of unemployed has fallen from a peak of about 590,000 in mid-April. At present, the Austrian government is negotiating with social partners, state governments, and economic experts on the extension of short-time working hours, with emphasis on the mode of short-term working hours, the scope of application, and the extension of time limits.

(Via.GermanReport)

5. Calling for unity, the 27 EU heads of state send video to celebrate "Europe Day"

European Union Council President Charles Michel posted a video on Twitter on Saturday (9th) to celebrate the 70th "Europe Day". The content is that the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries advocate unity, and all countries join forces to fight the epidemic.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "Our goal is to make Europe emerging from the new coronary pneumonia epidemic crisis stronger." French President Macron reposted the video saying: "Dare to innovate, work together, think about the future and take action. This is the European spirit we still need today. "

On May 9, 1950, Robert Schumann, then Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, issued a declaration aimed at bringing European countries closer to each other, establishing a European Union that can compete with the United States, and stopping conflicts between European neighbors. This famous proposal known as the "Schumann Declaration" (or Schumann Plan) is regarded as the birth certificate of the European Union.

(Via Nouvelles d'Europe in Weibo)

6. The UK plans to enforce mandatory quarantine for all people into the UK

According to several British media reports, affected by the new crown epidemic, the British government plans to implement a two-week compulsory quarantine for people into the UK.

British media expects that this measure will be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a speech on Sunday (10th). The objects involved are all persons (regardless of nationality) who entered the UK by airplane, sea transportation, and rail, except Ireland.

British media said that once the mandatory isolation measures are taken, the residential address provided by the passenger will be spot-checked. Those who fail to comply with the isolation order may be fined 1,000 pounds or even deported.

The BBC quoted government and British Airways sources as saying that this measure may take effect at the end of May.

French media pointed out that the British measure is contrary to the measure taken by France across the English Channel. The French government finally decided not to impose compulsory isolation on people entering the EU from the European Union, Schengen, and the United Kingdom.

(Via Nouvelles d'Europe in Weibo)

7. France starts to unblock, two shopping mall Printemps and Lafayette will still open

According to French media reports on May 8, strict coronavirus lockdown in France set to lift on May 11, and the well-known department stores "Lafayette" and "Printemps" in the center of Paris are still not allowed to reopen.

On May 7th, the French Minister of Economy Le Merle clearly stated in the press conference of the unblocking plan that shopping centers with an area of more than 40,000 square meters are prohibited from opening. Reopen the shopping mall will cause a huge risk of virus spread. "

On Thursday night, the police station conveyed a "prohibition order" to "Lafayette" and "Printemps", although the building has taken corresponding measures for epidemic prevention. According to reports, the department store is not a shopping mall. According to Prime Minister Philip ’s decision, whether the department store is open depends on local authorities.

(Via Nouvelles d'Europe in Weibo)

8. The tragedy of ventilator short circuit: 5 severe COVID-19 patients died from a fire in Russia

Five people have been killed in a fire at a hospital in St.Petersburg, Russia, where they received patients of COVID-19, BBC reported. It is learned that the accident was caused by a short circuit of a ventilator, and the five patients who died were all severe patients. At present, the fire has been controlled and another 150 people have been evacuated from the hospital.

(Via Nouvelles d'Europe in Weibo)

9.International Nurses Day: the secretary of the French Ministry of Health pays homage to the most beautiful nurses

The secretary of French Ministry of Health Olivier Véran tweeted on May 12 to pay tribute to French medical staff on International Nurses Day, "Every day, and especially during the outbreak of the COVID-19, medical staff is standing by French people. Today, let's pay tribute to their work and dedication. Thank you to all of them!" Since the outbreak, thousands of doctors and nurses in France have been infected with the COVID-19 and nine of whom have died.

(Via Nouvelles d'Europe in Weibo)

10. UK GDP fell by 2% in the first quarter

Britain's GDP fell by 2% in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the previous quarter, according to AFP on May 13. It is also the worst figure the UK has experienced since the recession of 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

(Via Nouvelles d'Europe in Weibo)

11. Germany and Austria will open borders for each other from June 15

Elisabeth Kötinger, head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regions, and Tourism of Austria announced on May 13 that Austria and Germany would reopen their borders from June 15. Elisabeth Kötinger revealed in a radio program that the two countries would soften the management measures of population mobility from May 15, with business travel and family visits as the first beneficiaries. It is reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Austrian Chancellor Kurtz held a dialogue on May 12 to exchange views on the gradual opening of the border between the two countries.

(Via Nouvelles d'Europe in Weibo)

12. With doors closed, is the Queen really on holiday?

Boris proposed a new phase of the plan after a televised address to the nation on May 10 that the British government is expected to lift the lockdown in the coming weeks. But the queen may remain in a state of self-isolation for months and will not return to her royal duties.

Affected by the COVID-19, the 94-year old Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip currently live in Windsor Castle. The queen has suspended all public activities, and it is the longest time for vocation since she became the queen 68 years ago.

(Via UKZone) 

13. As the Greek retail industry returns to work, Salonika society provides assistance to overseas Chinese for epidemic prevention

On May 11, the second week of the cancellation of the "injunction" in Greece, and the first day of the resumption of work for domestic retail stores, the Greek Sino-Greek Friendship Overseas Chinese Association implemented an action of love to help Chinese businessmen in Thessalonica area return to work safely.

14. The price of fresh fruits and vegetables soared by more than 10%! Expert: inflation will continue

In April, Spain's consumer price index (CPI) fell for the first time in four years by 0.7%, according to the report from El Confidencial and ABC. Dozens of supply and demand departments went down in Spain, while CPI data showed that food prices rose sharply in April. Specifically, the price of the "basket" in April increased by 4.1% compared with the same period last year. This has not happened in Spain for many years.

(via.SpainZone)

15. Affected by the COVID-19, the price of air tickets for all flights increased significantly!

IATA (International Air Transport Association) estimates that the anti-epidemic measures taken by airlines will increase the average ticket price of short and medium-distance flights in Europe by 49%, with the average ticket price rising to 186 euros from 125 euros last year. According to the government's regulations, in order to prevent cross-infection, the middle seats of the three in a row in the cabin should be left empty. Therefore, the attendance rate of multiple flights remains only 62%.

(Via. oushitalia)