Solemn Europe to mark WWII anniversary despite virus damage
09 May, 2020
A continent devastated by the coronavirus will mark the 75th anniversary of the finish of World War II in Europe on Friday, as the financial destruction of the current global crisis was laid bare.
Large-scale parades that were envisaged to commemorate victory over the Nazis have already been downsized as the world grapples with a fearsome new enemy which has killed 277,000 persons and sickened more than 3.7 million.
While elements of Europe were over the hump of new infections, the United States' death toll showed no signs of slowing, and Brazil warned of chaos with the pandemic running uncontrollable.
"Within about thirty days, there may learn to be shortages on shelves and production could become disorganised, leading to something of monetary collapse, of social disorder," Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said.
Brazil is Latin America's worst-affected nation, with more than 135,000 infections and 9,100 confirmed deaths, although specialists say the real figures are far higher.
But far-right President Jair Bolsonaro opposes stay-at-home measures to slow the spread, saying they are unnecessarily damaging the economy.
US President Donald Trump can be pushing for lockdowns to be lifted, as he tries to steady the economy ahead of November polls.
"This country can't stay closed and locked down for years," he said Thursday, as the united states death toll topped 75,500.
Another 3.2 million persons filed unemployment claims in the usa last week, bringing the total who have lost their jobs in the lockdown to 33.5 million.
Germany and France on Thursday reported major slumps in professional production and Britain said its economical output would plummet by 14 percent this season.
Across Europe, many countries are now easing restrictions, with some shops and schools re-opening, Italy allowing Catholics to soon attend mass, and Norway to start pubs on June 1.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is likely to give you a roadmap out of lockdown on Sunday.
The easing has recently begun in Germany, while France is due on Monday to begin emerging from its situation, though Paris will stay restricted.
Wreaths
Despite limitations, some ceremonies were to just do it Friday in commemoration of the end of hostilities in World War II.
The anniversary of Nazi Germany's 1945 unconditional surrender after a war that cost 50 million lives is any occasion in Berlin this season.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier are because of lay wreaths at the country's main memorial.
Ceremonies across France have already been drastically scaled down, although President Emmanuel Macron will still be attending a meeting on the Champs-Elysees.
In Britain, street parades by veterans have already been cancelled.
Russia had actually planned an enormous military display on its May 9 Victory Day, however now only a flypast will take place over Red Square.
President Vladimir Putin will lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier memorial, prior to making a TV address that won't only touch on the war, but is also likely to chart out the country's next steps in battling the virus.
The majority of Europe has seen significant drops in new infections, but cases are on the rise in Russia, with another 11,000 reported Thursday.
Moscow's lockdown has been extended until May 31.
Bootleggers
In Asia, life was creeping back to normal, with professional football set to start in South Korea later Friday.
But goal celebrations, handshakes and even talking are out under stringent new safety guidelines made to prevent contagion during games, which will be played behind closed doors.
The brand new season comes two days following the return of professional baseball in South Korea. Women's professional golf may also resume next week.
South Korea endured among the worst early outbreaks of COVID-19, but rapidly got a handle on the disease, with aggressive -- though not compulsory -- social distancing measures.
Hong Kong, which also acted quickly against the outbreak allowed gyms and bars to re-open on Friday, with some drinking spots serving their first customers at 12:01am.
"I'm so happy. I've not been here for quite a long time," one customer gushed as he tucked right into a much-anticipated drink soon after midnight.
Drinkers in Australia's Northern Territory were awaiting beer deliveries ahead of the reopening of pubs next Friday.
That was part of a national three-stage intend to get the economy back to a fresh "COVID-safe" normal by the finish of July.
In Pakistan, a continued shortage of alcohol was sparking price gouging.
The total annual booze shortage that comes through the holy month of Ramadan has been compounded by a lockdown which has halted the flow of duty-free bottles from incoming travellers.
"I checked with four bootleggers," lamented a 25-year-old student in Islamabad.
"Three had go out and the last one was offering 24 cans for 15,000 rupees ($95)."
Big Fat Internet Wedding
Restrictions on meeting weren't being permitted to spoil celebrations in India.
Lavish weddings, that may go on for days and involve thousands of guests, have decamped in to the virtual world -- allowing one couple to have a big bash that spanned the whole country.
Groom Sushen Dang logged on from Mumbai, while bride Keerti Narang joined from near to the Nepali border.
The priest overseeing proceedings was in Raipur, and wellwishers logged on from Delhi, Gurgaon and Bangalore.
"100 guests joined in our celebration," said Dang. "We live-streamed the ceremony on Facebook that was watched by another 16,000 people".
Source: www.thejakartapost.com
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