Germany

"It was not a pleasant experience," Ioan told DW. He had worked alongside about 120 seasonal laborers — mostly Romanians and a couple of Bulgarians — who spoke almost no German and had all gotten work through brokers. The same middleman called Ioan to offer him work in Germany this year, this time with better working conditions: "They desperately need us. They are even organizing flights for us." … [Read more...] about Germany drafts Romanian farm labor for coronavirus pandemic

How did Europe's refugee crisis start? Fleeing war and poverty In late 2014, with the war in Syria approaching its fourth year and Islamic State making gains in the north of the country, the exodus of Syrians intensified. At the same time, others were fleeing violence and poverty in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Niger and Kosovo. … [Read more...] about Germany moves forward on taking in hundreds of refugee children from Greece

Speaking after the government press conference, Labour's Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Jonathan Ashworth MP said: "We still don’t have the clarity we need from Ministers on how they plan to rapidly scale up testing to the levels needed. … [Read more...] about Minister fails to explain why UK coronavirus testing so far behind Germany

Colombia: Businesses in Colombia have called on the government to expand measures to help companies ravaged by the consequences of the coronavirus lockdown, which President Ivan Duque extended to April 27. The top business sectors affected by the lockdown are restaurants, stores, tourism, airlines and factories that do not make food- or health-related items. Duque's government has already promised credit guarantees of up to 12 trillion pesos (about $3 billion) for small and medium-sized companies. But businesses are worried about bankrupcies and widespread layoffs, saying more is needed. The government, meanwhile, has continued to use all tools in its disposal to make citizens comply with the lockdown measures, including the deployment of Colombia's military. Police have issued warnings and fines people for flouting quarantine rules. Latest figures:  1,579 infected, 46 deaths, 88 recovered.  … [Read more...] about Coronavirus latest: Germany headed for deep recession, report says

More from Covid-19 Coronavirus: Cambridge University laboratory will handle up to 30,000 COVID-19 tests a day Coronavirus: Temporary mortuary at Birmingham Airport almost finished Coronavirus: Another 828 patients die in hospital in England - taking total to 6,483 Coronavirus: Fancy lunch with Dame Joan Collins? Take part in auction to help NHS Coronavirus: Boris Johnson remains in ICU but is 'responding to treatment' Coronavirus: Man jailed for three months for stealing face masks from London hospital … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: France and Germany count economic cost of crisis