Thousands protest in Berlin against virus restrictions

Demonstrators hold banners reading “Stop! It is enough! Enough is enough,” during a protest against the government’s restrictions amid the coronavirus disease outbreak in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Berlin chanting “We are free people” as they complained about Germany’s social distancing measures.Xinhua

SpaceX Crew Dragon makes historic splashdown

Two months after NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley made history by launching into space from U.S. soil for the first time in nearly a decade, the duo returned to Earth on Sunday.

Behnken and Hurley, whose flight was the first to take place in a commercially built spacecraft, departed the International Space Station on Saturday evening and splashed down off the Florida coast on Sunday.

With all eyes on Tropical Storm Isaias, which was bearing down on Florida’s east coast, NASA on Saturday had declared “conditions are ‘Go’” for Sunday’s return. Isaias was downgraded from a hurricane on Saturday. The successful return happened in the Gulf of Mexico while the storm slogged up Florida’s east coast.

France starts testing

travelers from 16 nations

Travelers entering France from 16 countries where the coronavirus is circulating widely now must undergo virus tests upon arrival at French airports and ports.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced last month that the tests would be required starting Saturday for passengers France is allowing in from a list of approved countries unless they present proof of a negative test done within 72 hours of their departure.

Those who test positive in France as of Saturday must quarantine for 14 days.

Temperature hits record 51.2°C in Baghdad

High temperature records were challenged across the Middle East last week as blistering heat and dry conditions remained over the region.

The week got off to a blazing start in Baghdad, Iraq, with a temperature reading of 50.6 degrees Celsius on July 27. But on July 28, the temperature climbed even higher. According to preliminary reports from the area, the temperature reached 51.2 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, tying the all-time record high temperature for the city.

Similar heat was felt across the Middle East with temperatures in the upper 40s Celsius across the region and many areas reaching above 50 degrees Celsius on July 28.

Italy extends COVID-19 emergency period

Italy’s upper house of parliament has approved a request by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to extend until October 15 a state of emergency, expanding his government’s powers as it tackles the coronavirus health crisis.

Opposition parties had objected, accusing Conte of trying to keep too much power in his own hands despite a dramatic fall in the rate of contagion. However, the upper house Senate passed the measure by 157 votes to 125 in the 319-seat chamber.

TikTok’s US chief: We’re here for the long run

TikTok’s U.S. general manager Vanessa Pappas has posted a video message to the platform that appears to be a response to reports from Friday that Donald Trump is working on an effective “ban” of the app in the United States, a plan he shared with reporters from the White House pool on board Air Force One.

TikTok, the popular social media video app with more than 500 million worldwide users, is caught in a political and technological crossfire.

TikTok seems keen to reassure U.S. users it doesn’t intend to change its operational plans in response to this vague, but potentially existential threat.(SD-Agencies)