Editor’s Note: This listicle is part of a weekly series by The Ball State Daily News summarizing five stories from around the world. All summaries are based on stories published by The Associated Press.
The spread of the COVID-19 virus, France’s Louvre Museum closing its doors due to the virus, a hostage situation at a Philippine mall, migrants attempting to cross the Greek-Turkish border and Israel’s third election in less than a year make up this week’s five international stories.
Virus fuels dread and angst even as China sees signs of hope
The number of new virus cases in China dropped to its lowest level in six weeks Monday and hundreds of patients at the outbreak’s epicenter were being released, while a grimmer reality set in elsewhere, with swelling infection numbers and growing dread that no area could fend off the illness. Clusters of infections in South Korea, Italy and Iran continued to expand and COVID-19 was raising distress and reshaping routines around Europe and the United States.
Read more: Virus outbreak
France’s Louvre stays shut amid staff fears of virus spread
The Louvre Museum was closed again Monday as management was meeting with staff worried about the spread of the new virus in the world’s most-visited museum. Most of the Louvre’s 9.6 million visitors last year came from other countries, and the museum that houses the Mona Lisa and other treasures welcomes tens of thousands of people every day. The French government has banned any indoor gatherings larger than 5,000 people to prevent the spread of the virus.
Read more: France
Disgruntled ex-guard takes dozens of hostages in Manila mall
Philippine police on Monday surrounded a shopping mall in an upscale section of Manila after a recently dismissed security guard opened fire and took dozens of people hostage. Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan, Philippines, said the gunman, who was armed with a pistol, shot one person at the V-Mall. The victim was in stable condition at a nearby hospital. Zamora said a police negotiator was trying to talk to the gunman inside a mall administration office.
Read more: Philippines
Thousands of migrants rush to cross Greek-Turkish border
Thousands of migrants were trying to find a way across Turkey’s border with Greece Monday, with dozens managing to pass through either border fences or fording the river there, after Turkey opened its side of the frontier to migrants and refugees to leave the country for Europe. Greek police made use of tear gas against the crowds trying to push through. Holding white flags, the crowds shouted “peace, peace,” asking to be let through into Greece.
Read more: Greece
Israelis vote in 3rd election in a year focused on Netanyahu
Israelis were voting Monday in the country’s unprecedented third election in less than a year to decide whether longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stays in power despite his upcoming criminal trial on corruption charges. Netanyahu, the longest serving leader in Israeli history, has been the caretaker prime minister for more than a year as a divided Israel has weathered two inconclusive elections and a prolonged political paralysis.
Read more: Israel
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