AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK
Families struggle with how to hold 2nd pandemic Thanksgiving
The second Thanksgiving of the COVID-19 pandemic comes as a resurgent virus has pushed new infections in the U.S. to 95,000 daily and caused alarming increases at hospitals in Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado and Arizona. American families are facing dilemmas over gatherings that have become burdened with the same political and coronavirus debates consuming other arenas. Many who skipped traditional gatherings last year, before vaccines were available, are putting aside concerns and getting together again. Others are opting to be cautious and stick to smaller groups and avoid travel.
AP-US-THANKSGIVING-PARADE
Macy’s Thanksgiving parade returns, with all the trimmings
NEW YORK (AP) — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has returned in full, after being crimped by the coronavirus pandemic last year. The lineup of balloons, floats, marching bands, clowns, performers and Santa Claus again began wending though 2 1/2 miles of Manhattan streets Thursday morning. Participants were confined to one block or sometimes pre-taped last year. Spectators were shut out in 2020 but are lining the route again this time. The Thanksgiving parade is the latest U.S. holiday event to make a comeback amid the ongoing pandemic. Still, some safety measures continue. Parade staffers and volunteers must be vaccinated against COVID-19, and most must wear masks.
AP-EU-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-GERMANY
Merkel: ‘Sad day’ as Germany marks 100,000 deaths from COVID
BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of “a very sad day” as her country became the latest to surpass 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. The national disease control agency said Thursday it recorded 351 additional deaths over the past 24 hours, taking the total COVID-19 toll to 100,119. In Europe, Germany is the fifth country to pass that mark, after Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy and France. The long-time German leader, who is currently in office as caretaker until her successor is sworn in, warned that hundreds more deaths were already on the horizon. The Robert Koch Institute said Germany set a record for daily confirmed cases — 75,961 — in the past 24-hour period.
AP-EU-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CHRISTMAS-MARKETS
Europe’s Christmas markets warily open as COVID cases rise
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Some of Europe’s Christmas markets are warily opening amid surging coronavirus infections. In Germany, the picturesque Frankfurt market is open over a wider area to thin out the crowds. Markets in Budapest are fenced off and customers have to show proof of vaccination. It’s a huge relief for merchants to be open after losing their Christmas business last year despite the restrictions. One ornament seller says that he can cover his bills if he can stay open for three weeks. But that’s no sure thing after two regions in Germany shut down their markets and Austria’s closed amid a 10-day national lockdown. With the closures goes the money tourists would spend in restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-FRANCE-VERAN
France opts for 3rd shots, not lockdown, to fight new wave
PARIS (AP) — France has launched a plan to give booster shots to all adults, opting against a further lockdown or curfew, to help combat a worrying uptick in infections in the country. French Health Minister Olivier Veran laid out the plans during a press conference Thursday, in which he reduced the time gap between second and third shots from six to five months. Veran says France already has enough vaccines to launch the nationwide booster campaign. Veran also laid out a swathe of measures seen as tightening the screws on mask wearing in public areas and says that the country’s COVID pass will become invalid if a person has not received a booster shot within seven months of a second dose.
AP-EU-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-EUROPE-VACCINATING-CHILDREN
EU regulator authorizes Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for kids 5-11
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The European Union drug regulator has authorized Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for use on children from 5 to 11 years old. Thursday’s move clears the way for shots to be administered to millions of elementary school pupils amid a new wave of infections sweeping across Europe. It is the first time the European Medicines Agency has cleared a COVID-19 vaccine for use in young children. The agency said it “recommended granting an extension of indication for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 5 to 11.”
VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE-CERTIFICATES
EU warns differing virus measures put free travel at risk
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is warning members that they risk undermining the 27-nation bloc’s COVID-19 travel and access certificate system with new uncoordinated restrictions some are introducing to try to thwart a surge in cases. As coronavirus cases jump, many countries have begun tightening rules on people who are not vaccinated. Some German states, for example, are now demanding proof of vaccination and daily negative tests. From next month, Italy will require proof of vaccination or having recovered to get access to festive season activities. EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said Thursday that there’s “an obvious risk that differing approaches between countries could endanger confidence in the COVID certificate system, and harm free movement in the Union.”
AP-EU-MIGRATION-FRANCE-BRITAIN
France calls for European aid after 27 migrant deaths at sea
CALAIS, France (AP) — France’s president is urging European neighbors to do more to stop flows of illegal migration into France after 27 people died in a sinking in the English Channel. President Emmanuel Macron said that when migrants arrive on French shores with hopes of heading to Britain “it is already too late.” France’s interior minister said pregnant women and children were among the 27 migrants killed trying to cross the English Channel in a small boat that sank. The minister also announced the arrest of a fifth suspected trafficker thought to have been involved in the deadly crossing. Macron, who was speaking on a visit to Croatia, said France is deploying army drones as part of stepped-up efforts to patrol the northern French coastline.
AP-EU-RUSSIA-COAL-MINE-FIRE
Coal mine fire in Russia’s Siberia kills 11, dozens trapped
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities say a fire at a coal mine in Siberia has killed 11 people and injured more than 40. Dozens of others are still trapped. A Russian news agency says the blaze broke out in the Kemerovo region in southwestern Siberia. It said coal dust caught fire and smoke quickly filled the mine through the ventilation system. A total of 285 people were in the mine at the time of the incident and most of them have been evacuated. A total of 35 people remained trapped in the mine. Efforts to rescue the rest were halted on Thursday afternoon because of an explosion threat.
BC-AF-SOMALIA-EXPLOSION
Al-Shabab blast by school in Somali capital kills at least 8
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Witnesses say a large explosion has occurred outside a school in a busy part of Somalia’s capital during the morning rush hour, killing at least eight people, including students. The extremist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility. A plume of smoke was seen rising above Mogadishu on Thursday after the blast occurred close to a school. Al-Shabab claimed in a statement carried by its Andalus radio that it had targeted Western officials being escorted by an African Union peacekeeping convoy. The al-Qaida-linked extremist group frequently targets the capital with attacks.
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