Uncertainty bites as London pubs, restaurants consider shutting

The Northcote Arms has been a pub since 1890, surviving two world wars, several global financial crises and even the flu of 1918, which killed tens of millions of people.

Now this traditional watering hole in the east London neighborhood of Leyton is one of countless businesses around the world facing the prospect of being crushed by the spiraling pandemic.

“It’s just like quicksand,” said Tuesday Roberts, 39, who runs the pub. “Every time I come up with a plan, I have to scrap it two days later. The situation just gets worse and worse.”

As well as attacking physical health, the virus is also threatening to trigger a huge wave of unemployment in the U.S. and across Europe as governments urge or force people to stay away from public spaces, such as bars, restaurants, theaters, sports venues and airports.

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Animated map shows drop in emissions over China

Data from the European Space Agency shows a drop in nitrogen dioxide emissions over China between December and March.

As strict measures were implemented to stem the outbreak, factories closed and streets were cleared. This led to a dramatic reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions — those released by power plants, industrial facilities and vehicles — in all major Chinese cities between late-January and February.

Similar data has also shown a decline over northern Italy coinciding with its nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Wembley Stadium in London lights up to thank health workers

No new domestic cases in China for second day in row

China’s National Health Commission on Friday reported no new local coronavirus cases, which marked the second time it has done so since the epidemic began.

There were 39 new cases reported on the mainland Thursday, but all were called “new imported confirmed cases.” Deaths on the mainland rose by three, bringing the total dead to 3,248, according to the health commission’s numbers. 

There have been 80,967 cases reported on the mainland in all, the national health commission said.

Italy has surpassed China in total deaths connected to the coronavirus, with the country reporting 3,405 fatalities as of Thursday afternoon Eastern Time.

The coronavirus outbreak began in China, but the World Health Organization said last week that Europe has become the new epicenter of the pandemic.

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Invictus Games postpones, looks ahead to 2021

The Invictus Games scheduled for May 9-16 in The Hague have been postponed until next year because of coronavirus pandemic, organizers of the international competition for veterans announced Thursday.

“We are now investigating all options to reschedule the Invictus Games, subject to the availability of key facilities and resources, to May or June 2021,” organizers said in a statement.

Prince Harry, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, said in a video that “this was an incredibly difficult decision for all of us to have to make.”