The EU wants to strengthen border security and gain access to encrypted messages as it begins a pan-European crackdown on Islamist terror. All eyes now on EU Interior ministers as they meet to chart a common strategy. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Europe begins crackdown on Islamist terror

The unrest on Wednesday erupted broke out after the participants ignored police warnings to disperse to limit COVID-19 infection risks.

Far-right ‘hooligans’ clash with police at Warsaw march

The European Union charged Amazon with damaging retail competition, alleging on Tuesday that the U.S. company uses its size, power and data to gain an unfair advantage over smaller merchants that sell on its online platform.

Europe charges Amazon with using dominance and data to squeeze rivals

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics.

A blow to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has historically taken such calls, this could signal a shift in WHO-centric health policy outlook.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-sinopharm-claims-results-of-its-vaccine-are-better-than-expected-342440" hreflang="en">China's Sinopharm claims results of its vaccine are 'better than expected'</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-pandemic-europe-faces-shortage-of-beds-doctors-nurses-342402/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The reaction to COVID-19 among 27 EU countries has been uncoordinated, which is why some countries have managed it amiably, while others have faltered. Currently, Europe is witnessing a second-wave of coronavirus infections, with numbers increasing across all major countries. Many have also reimposed lockdowns.

Owing to the unequal response and preparation, many EU countries were seen competing for medical gear and other paraphernalia.

WHO criticised

The WHO has faced global criticism for undermining the severity of COVID-19, and for&nbsp;declaring it a pandemic too late. The WHO, though denies all such claims.

The proposals state that the EU would be able to declare a pan-EU public health emergency, which they would facilitate coordination among EU states. As of now, the union has to rely on the WHO before declaring such emergencies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-president-warns-recurring-cycles-viral-spread-despite-vaccine-342445" hreflang="en">EU president warns 'recurring cycles' viral spread despite vaccine</a>

"The new rules will enable the activation of EU emergency response mechanisms… without making it contingent upon the WHO's own declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern," an EU document says, Reuters reported. However, all such responses would be in coordination with the WHO.

EU states want reform in the WHO, and believe that they had relied on the organisation too heavily during the pandemic.

"We relied too much on the WHO for the COVID-19 pandemic," Peter Liese, lawmaker from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party said.

"Under pressure from China, the WHO declared the health emergency too late. It is therefore very important to have the possibility to act at European level in future similar situations”, Liese added.

The incumbent US President Donald Trump had labelled WHO a puppet of China.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics. A blow to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has historically taken such calls, this could signal a shift in WHO-centric health policy outlook. Also read: China's Sinopharm claims results of its vaccine are 'better than expected' The reaction to COVID-19 among 27 EU countries has been uncoordinated, which is why some countries have managed it amiably, while others have faltered. Currently, Europe is witnessing a second-wave of coronavirus infections, with numbers increasing across all major countries. Many have also reimposed lockdowns. Owing to the unequal response and preparation, many EU countries were seen competing for medical gear and other paraphernalia. WHO criticised The WHO has faced global criticism for undermining the severity of COVID-19, and for declaring it a pandemic too late. The WHO, though denies all such claims. The proposals state that the EU would be able to declare a pan-EU public health emergency, which they would facilitate coordination among EU states. As of now, the union has to rely on the WHO before declaring such emergencies. Also read: EU president warns 'recurring cycles' viral spread despite vaccine "The new rules will enable the activation of EU emergency response mechanisms… without making it contingent upon the WHO's own declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern," an EU document says, Reuters reported. However, all such responses would be in coordination with the WHO. EU states want reform in the WHO, and believe that they had relied on the organisation too heavily during the pandemic. "We relied too much on the WHO for the COVID-19 pandemic," Peter Liese, lawmaker from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party said. "Under pressure from China, the WHO declared the health emergency too late. It is therefore very important to have the possibility to act at European level in future similar situations”, Liese added. The incumbent US President Donald Trump had labelled WHO a puppet of China.

EU seeks power to declare health emergencies undermining WHO

After lecturing the world on secularism, E.U. is now rushing to regulate Islam. What took Europe so long to realise there's a difference between secularism and appeasement? WION's Palki Sharma makes a case.

Gravitas: Europe moves to curb terror

&nbsp;Europe is a test case for a very special reason. The European continent has always considered itself the Avant Garde of secularism. In 2013, the European Union published guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-islamist-terror-tops-european-unions-agenda-342279/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In 2016, Jan Figel was appointed special envoy for this, for the promotion of freedom of religion outside the EU. In 2018 and 2019, Europe sanctioned countries for they way they treated Muslims, mostly for a good reason but also because Europe felt the moral authority and responsibility to tell the world how to treat minorities as recently as 2020, the European parliament wanted to discuss India's citizenship amendment act and the removal of special status of Kashmir. It had no business doing so but the EU, the self-appointed gatekeeper of secularism wanted to lecture India on the treatment of minorities.

In November 2020, Europe itself is rushing to legislate on religion and come December, France will table a bill that will help the state regulate Islam. It will help the state monitor the funding of French mosques.

It will create a certificate program for French imams and it will ban homeschooling for young children to prevent the creation of Islamic schools or Madrassas.

If a non-European, non-Western country had planned such a bill, Europe would have cried Islamophobia. It would have sat down to draw a list of sanctions against the country, slapped its leaders with a travel ban probably frozen their assets but now terror has struck home.

France is legislating to create its own brand of Islam and in doing so, France doesn't care if it's being called Islamophobe. Europe is finally learning to crack down on terror and unfortunately, it is learning the hard way.

Just like the United States did post the attacks of 9/11 before the two planes crashed into the twin towers, America took pride preaching secularism. In 1998, the Clinton administration created the office of international religious freedom (IRF) within the US state department.

Three years later, Washington found itself looking at every Muslim with suspicion, at least 1,200 people were detained by the end of November 2001. In her book "detained without a cause" Irum Sheikh writes that the US immigration officials began categorising Muslims "special interest" cases.

Europe's lectures on CAA and Kashmir were an overreach, India's tour of European MP's to seek validation on Kashmir even worse, if Europe must compare its own brand of secularism to India's - it should see which has worked. Going forward, Europe cannot confuse appeasement with secularism. It is time to work on the faultlines. Counter-terror with all sincerity without making any exceptions.

Europe is a test case for a very special reason. The European continent has always considered itself the Avant Garde of secularism. In 2013, the European Union published guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief.

Europe is a test case for a very special reason. The European continent has always considered itself the Avant Garde of secularism. In 2013, the European Union published guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief. In 2016, Jan Figel was appointed special envoy for this, for the promotion of freedom of religion outside the EU. In 2018 and 2019, Europe sanctioned countries for they way they treated Muslims, mostly for a good reason but also because Europe felt the moral authority and responsibility to tell the world how to treat minorities as recently as 2020, the European parliament wanted to discuss India's citizenship amendment act and the removal of special status of Kashmir. It had no business doing so but the EU, the self-appointed gatekeeper of secularism wanted to lecture India on the treatment of minorities. In November 2020, Europe itself is rushing to legislate on religion and come December, France will table a bill that will help the state regulate Islam. It will help the state monitor the funding of French mosques. It will create a certificate program for French imams and it will ban homeschooling for young children to prevent the creation of Islamic schools or Madrassas. If a non-European, non-Western country had planned such a bill, Europe would have cried Islamophobia. It would have sat down to draw a list of sanctions against the country, slapped its leaders with a travel ban probably frozen their assets but now terror has struck home. France is legislating to create its own brand of Islam and in doing so, France doesn't care if it's being called Islamophobe. Europe is finally learning to crack down on terror and unfortunately, it is learning the hard way. Just like the United States did post the attacks of 9/11 before the two planes crashed into the twin towers, America took pride preaching secularism. In 1998, the Clinton administration created the office of international religious freedom (IRF) within the US state department. Three years later, Washington found itself looking at every Muslim with suspicion, at least 1,200 people were detained by the end of November 2001. In her book "detained without a cause" Irum Sheikh writes that the US immigration officials began categorising Muslims "special interest" cases. Europe's lectures on CAA and Kashmir were an overreach, India's tour of European MP's to seek validation on Kashmir even worse, if Europe must compare its own brand of secularism to India's - it should see which has worked. Going forward, Europe cannot confuse appeasement with secularism. It is time to work on the faultlines. Counter-terror with all sincerity without making any exceptions.

Europe cannot confuse appeasement with secularism

European countries are struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Intensive care is the last line for the defence to severely ill coronavirus patients, but Europe is now running out of beds, doctors & nurses.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Europe faces shortage of beds, doctors & nurses

Le Drian's highly anticipated meeting with Tayeb, head of Al-Azhar -- considered the foremost religious institution for Sunni Muslims

French minister seeks to ease tensions over cartoons in Cairo visit

European stocks hit two-week highs on strong earnings results and after the BofE increased its already huge bond-buying stimulus by 150 billion pounds ($195 billion), or about 50 billion pounds more than expected.

How is Europe reacting to the US presidential elections 2020?

French President Emmanuel Macron calls for an overhaul of the rules governing the Schengen area of the free movement in Europe. He also announces to double their forces of border control to fight against the terrorist threat.

France wants stronger response to illegal immigration

French President Macron calls for tighter border controls & Schengen overhaul

We are witnessing the resurgence of terrorism in Europe. It's not just France or Austria that faces the terror threat. Radicalism has been growing around Europe. And European leaders are waking up to the threat posed by political Islam. On Monday, France struck back.

More than 50 Jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda were killed in an airstrike in Mali. France has been fighting a long-drawn battle against extremism in this region&nbsp;

In&nbsp;return, Macron now has a target on his head. Al Qaeda is threatening to attack the French President. It said that killing anyone who insults the Prophet is the right of every Muslim. Islamist extremism has become Europe's reality. 
&nbsp; 
With words 'Islam is a religion in crisis' Emmanuel Macron painted a target on his back. What followed was a major backlash from the Muslim world. Protesters took to the streets.

The Islamic world may have rejected Macron's message but European leaders must take it as a wake-up call. It's a continent that is struggling with growing radicalism.

In 2019, there were 119 attempted attacks in Europe. Out of these, 21 were linked to Jihadist terrorism.

In 2020, the attacks in France and Austria mark a resurgence of terrorism in Europe.&nbsp;

The challenge is collective. The response isn't.

Different European countries are trying to deal with terror threats with their own unique measures. Austria banned foreign funding for the Islamic group in 2015.

Germany made a push to train Imams locally. Italy punished radical Imams. By 2018, it has expelled 16 Imams. Sweden axed government funding to two Muslim organisations. This included a Muslim brotherhood youth group.

Sweden said that the group didn't fulfil the 'democracy requirement' needed for government aid.

Clearly, these limited measures were not enough. Europe needs a united front to challenge Islamism. A front, that can collaborate with international partners.

During his visit to Germany, India Foreign Secretary highlighted the need for greater co-operation against terror networks.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
While raising the issue of growing radicalism in Europe he said, "The terrorists are united in purpose and action while we, the victims, are yet to be so" 
&nbsp; 
This is a pivotal moment for Europe. Leaders who pushed for open borders and sat in judgment of other countries that implemented tough measures are learning it the hard way.

They need decisive action and a comprehensive approach.

We are witnessing the resurgence of terrorism in Europe. It's not just France or Austria that faces the terror threat. Radicalism has been growing around Europe.

We are witnessing the resurgence of terrorism in Europe. It's not just France or Austria that faces the terror threat. Radicalism has been growing around Europe. And European leaders are waking up to the threat posed by political Islam. On Monday, France struck back. More than 50 Jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda were killed in an airstrike in Mali. France has been fighting a long-drawn battle against extremism in this region In return, Macron now has a target on his head. Al Qaeda is threatening to attack the French President. It said that killing anyone who insults the Prophet is the right of every Muslim. Islamist extremism has become Europe's reality. With words 'Islam is a religion in crisis' Emmanuel Macron painted a target on his back. What followed was a major backlash from the Muslim world. Protesters took to the streets. The Islamic world may have rejected Macron's message but European leaders must take it as a wake-up call. It's a continent that is struggling with growing radicalism. In 2019, there were 119 attempted attacks in Europe. Out of these, 21 were linked to Jihadist terrorism. In 2020, the attacks in France and Austria mark a resurgence of terrorism in Europe. The challenge is collective. The response isn't. Different European countries are trying to deal with terror threats with their own unique measures. Austria banned foreign funding for the Islamic group in 2015. Germany made a push to train Imams locally. Italy punished radical Imams. By 2018, it has expelled 16 Imams. Sweden axed government funding to two Muslim organisations. This included a Muslim brotherhood youth group. Sweden said that the group didn't fulfil the 'democracy requirement' needed for government aid. Clearly, these limited measures were not enough. Europe needs a united front to challenge Islamism. A front, that can collaborate with international partners. During his visit to Germany, India Foreign Secretary highlighted the need for greater co-operation against terror networks. While raising the issue of growing radicalism in Europe he said, "The terrorists are united in purpose and action while we, the victims, are yet to be so" This is a pivotal moment for Europe. Leaders who pushed for open borders and sat in judgment of other countries that implemented tough measures are learning it the hard way. They need decisive action and a comprehensive approach.

With radicalism growing, Europe witnesses resurgence of terrorism

Indian and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will hold virtual summit on Friday even as India increases its engagement with Europe. While this is the 5th virtual summit India is holding amid the COVID pandemic, this is the 3rd one with European leadership.

In the month of July, the 15th India EU summit took place virtually with the participation by President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.&nbsp; 
 
Later India held a virtual summit with Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen.

A Ministry of External Affairs release said the virtual summit, "will give an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship and exchange views on major regional and global issues of mutual concern."

The development comes even as India is increasing its engagement with European countries. Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla was in Paris, Berlin and London. During his interlocutors in all 3 European capitals, he discussed many issues, like Indo Pacific, terrorism, radicalization and COVID crisis.

The virtual summit or what is being termed as diplomacy in the age of pandemic took place with Australian PM Scott Morrison and later with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

On the ties, the release said, "India and Italy share a warm and multifaceted relationship based on strong historical ties, common democratic traditions, rule of law and a shared goal of international peace and stability."

Explaining, "India views Italy as an important member of the EU and values its positive contribution in furthering India-EU ties."

Italy is India’s 5th largest trading partner in the EU, after Germany, Belgium, UK and France. Around 600 large Italian companies are active in India with bilateral trade standing at Euros 9.52 billion in 2019.

Indian and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will hold virtual summit on Friday even as India increases its engagement with Europe. While this is the 5th virtual summit India is holding amid the COVID pandemic, this is the 3rd one with European leadership.

Indian and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will hold virtual summit on Friday even as India increases its engagement with Europe. While this is the 5th virtual summit India is holding amid the COVID pandemic, this is the 3rd one with European leadership. In the month of July, the 15th India EU summit took place virtually with the participation by President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Later India held a virtual summit with Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen. A Ministry of External Affairs release said the virtual summit, "will give an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship and exchange views on major regional and global issues of mutual concern." The development comes even as India is increasing its engagement with European countries. Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla was in Paris, Berlin and London. During his interlocutors in all 3 European capitals, he discussed many issues, like Indo Pacific, terrorism, radicalization and COVID crisis. The virtual summit or what is being termed as diplomacy in the age of pandemic took place with Australian PM Scott Morrison and later with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. On the ties, the release said, "India and Italy share a warm and multifaceted relationship based on strong historical ties, common democratic traditions, rule of law and a shared goal of international peace and stability." Explaining, "India views Italy as an important member of the EU and values its positive contribution in furthering India-EU ties." Italy is India’s 5th largest trading partner in the EU, after Germany, Belgium, UK and France. Around 600 large Italian companies are active in India with bilateral trade standing at Euros 9.52 billion in 2019.

With Europe in focus, India-Italy virtual summit on Friday

"The virus is spreading across France at a speed that even the most pessimistic did not predict... As elsewhere in Europe, we are overwhelmed by a second wave that will probably be more difficult and deadly than the first," Macron said.

'COVID-19's 2nd wave will be more difficult and deadly', says Emmanuel Macron

Europe's new COVID-19 cases have doubled in five weeks, propelling the region on Sunday across the bleak milestone of 10 million total infections, according to a Reuters tally.

Europe's COVID-19 cases double in five weeks, total infections surpass 10 million

A powerful earthquake hit Greece and Turkey today. The 7.0 magnitude quake has killed at least 6 people and triggered a mini-tsunami.

Gravitas: Major Earthquake hits Turkey and Greece

The suspect, 21, had an Italian Red Cross document, issued after he arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa by migrant boat last month.

France church attacker arrived in Europe from Tunisia days ago

Germany is on the verge of imposing new coronavirus restrictions after a record rise in infections.

Germany imposes partial lockdown for November to restrict spread of coronavirus

Hundreds of locals took to streets in Italy to demonstrate fo a bill that would make anti-LGBT violence a hate crime leading to harsher penalties in comparison to the existing punishments under the current law.

Will Italy successfully pass its LGBTQ+ hate crime law?

Jews population in Europe has declined by more than 60 per cent in the last 50 years and only 0.1 per cent of the continent's population comprises Jews, a study has shown.

According to a study by the London-based Institute for Jewish Policy Research, now only about 9 per cent of the total Jewish population globally resides in Europe, which was 90 per cent in the latter part of the 19th century but was of similar levels about 1,000 years ago.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/even-in-the-pandemic-jews-flown-to-jerusalem-for-burial-296465">Even in the pandemic, Jews flown to Jerusalem for burial</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

It said 1.3 million Jews live in Europe in 2020, nearly 0.1 per cent of the continent's population and two-thirds of these people live in the UK, Germany and France.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-covid-19-continues-to-spread-jews-urged-not-to-kiss-the-western-wall-287073">As COVID-19 continues to spread, Jews urged not to kiss the Western Wall</a>

"Jews have not only been an integral part of European history and culture but are actually one of its oldest and original component groups," the report said, as quoted by The Guardian.

"However, throughout history, the inherent weakness of a landless and powerless minority vis-a-vis territorially based societies and their constituted powers often put the Jewish people in a condition of dependency and instability, and translated into powerful ups and downs in the Jewish presence."

The Holocaust under Hitler in the first half of the 20th century which led to killings of about 6 million Jews reduced Jews' population to around 11 million, the study noted.

It said in the last decades of the 20th century, the "opening of the doors of the Soviet Union" led to over 1.8 million Jews leaving eastern Europe between 1969 and 2020, which ultimately caused "a drastic shift in the Jewish population's centre of gravity from the east to the west of the continent".

In 1880, 88 per cent of the world's Jews resided in Europe. By 1945, this percentage had declined to 35 per cent and then to 26 per cent and 9 per cent in 1970 and 2020 respectively, the study said.

Jews population in Europe has declined by more than 60 per cent in the last 50 years and only 0.1 per cent of the continent's population comprises Jews, a study has shown.

Jews population in Europe has declined by more than 60 per cent in the last 50 years and only 0.1 per cent of the continent's population comprises Jews, a study has shown. According to a study by the London-based Institute for Jewish Policy Research, now only about 9 per cent of the total Jewish population globally resides in Europe, which was 90 per cent in the latter part of the 19th century but was of similar levels about 1,000 years ago. Also read | Even in the pandemic, Jews flown to Jerusalem for burial It said 1.3 million Jews live in Europe in 2020, nearly 0.1 per cent of the continent's population and two-thirds of these people live in the UK, Germany and France. Also read | As COVID-19 continues to spread, Jews urged not to kiss the Western Wall "Jews have not only been an integral part of European history and culture but are actually one of its oldest and original component groups," the report said, as quoted by The Guardian. "However, throughout history, the inherent weakness of a landless and powerless minority vis-a-vis territorially based societies and their constituted powers often put the Jewish people in a condition of dependency and instability, and translated into powerful ups and downs in the Jewish presence." The Holocaust under Hitler in the first half of the 20th century which led to killings of about 6 million Jews reduced Jews' population to around 11 million, the study noted. It said in the last decades of the 20th century, the "opening of the doors of the Soviet Union" led to over 1.8 million Jews leaving eastern Europe between 1969 and 2020, which ultimately caused "a drastic shift in the Jewish population's centre of gravity from the east to the west of the continent". In 1880, 88 per cent of the world's Jews resided in Europe. By 1945, this percentage had declined to 35 per cent and then to 26 per cent and 9 per cent in 1970 and 2020 respectively, the study said.

Jewish population declined over 60% in Europe in last 50 years: Study

Macron pledged to fight “Islamist separatism”, which he said was threatening to take control in some Muslim communities around France, drawing a sharp rebuke from Erdogan.

Erdogan says Macron needs treatment over attitude towards Muslims

French health authorities said the country has reached over 1.04 million confirmed coronavirus cases, becoming the second country in Western Europe after Spain to reach that number of known infections.

France's coronavirus cases top 1 million as daily tally hits new high

French health authorities said the country has reached over 1.04 million confirmed coronavirus cases, becoming the second country in Western Europe after Spain to reach that number of known infections.

In the past 24 hours, the country confirmed 42,032 new cases on Friday, beating Thursday`s record of 41,661, Xinhua news agency reported.

The overall caseload currently stands at 1,084,659.

The death toll increased to 34,508, representing a one-day spike of 298, higher than 162 on Thursday.

The number of hospitalized Covid-19 patients reached 15,008, up by 976 in one day, exceeding the 15,000 thresholds for the first time since May 25.

To date, 2,073 clusters are under investigation, of which 477 are in nursing homes. This represents 184 additional outbreaks in 24 hours.

The "grave" resurgence of the epidemic has forced the government to extend curfews, imposed on Paris and eight other major cities, to 38 other departments.

The restrictive measure now involves 46 million residents who have been asked to stay home from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Friday midnight.

Since the end of September when infection cases soared up, France had already put in place extra measures in regions on maximum alert, including the closure of bars, pools and gyms.

Meanwhile, the worldwide number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has surpassed 42 million, Johns Hopkins University says.

The exact number of coronavirus cases stood at 42,020,333. More than 1.14 million people have died of the disease, the university added.

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11. The biggest number of cases so far have been registered in the United States, India and Brazil.

(With inputs from agencies)

French health authorities said the country has reached over 1.04 million confirmed coronavirus cases, becoming the second country in Western Europe after Spain to reach that number of known infections. In the past 24 hours, the country confirmed 42,032 new cases on Friday, beating Thursday`s record of 41,661, Xinhua news agency reported. The overall caseload currently stands at 1,084,659. The death toll increased to 34,508, representing a one-day spike of 298, higher than 162 on Thursday. The number of hospitalized Covid-19 patients reached 15,008, up by 976 in one day, exceeding the 15,000 thresholds for the first time since May 25. To date, 2,073 clusters are under investigation, of which 477 are in nursing homes. This represents 184 additional outbreaks in 24 hours. The "grave" resurgence of the epidemic has forced the government to extend curfews, imposed on Paris and eight other major cities, to 38 other departments. The restrictive measure now involves 46 million residents who have been asked to stay home from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Friday midnight. Since the end of September when infection cases soared up, France had already put in place extra measures in regions on maximum alert, including the closure of bars, pools and gyms. Meanwhile, the worldwide number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has surpassed 42 million, Johns Hopkins University says. The exact number of coronavirus cases stood at 42,020,333. More than 1.14 million people have died of the disease, the university added. The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11. The biggest number of cases so far have been registered in the United States, India and Brazil. (With inputs from agencies)

France's coronavirus cases top 1 million as daily tally hits new high 

Europe is currently witnessing a resurgence in coronavirus cases. Europe's COVID-19 cases have doubled in 10 days. Watch report.

Europe witnesses surge in COVID-19 cases: Virus curfew begins in Milan

europe-0

Europe, News on Europe, stories on Europe, articles on Europe, Europe stories at Wion, Europe news, Europe latest news

europe 0

Gravitas: Europe begins crackdown on Islamist terror

Far-right ‘hooligans’ clash with police at Warsaw march

Europe charges Amazon with using dominance and data to squeeze rivals

EU seeks power to declare health emergencies undermining WHO

Gravitas: Europe moves to curb terror

Europe cannot confuse appeasement with secularism

COVID-19 Pandemic: Europe faces shortage of beds, doctors & nurses

French minister seeks to ease tensions over cartoons in Cairo visit

How is Europe reacting to the US presidential elections 2020?

France wants stronger response to illegal immigration

French President Macron calls for tighter border controls & Schengen overhaul

With radicalism growing, Europe witnesses resurgence of terrorism

With Europe in focus, India-Italy virtual summit on Friday

'COVID-19's 2nd wave will be more difficult and deadly', says Emmanuel Macron

Europe's COVID-19 cases double in five weeks, total infections surpass 10 million

Gravitas: Major Earthquake hits Turkey and Greece

France church attacker arrived in Europe from Tunisia days ago

Germany imposes partial lockdown for November to restrict spread of coronavirus

Will Italy successfully pass its LGBTQ+ hate crime law?

Jewish population declined over 60% in Europe in last 50 years: Study

Erdogan says Macron needs treatment over attitude towards Muslims

France's coronavirus cases top 1 million as daily tally hits new high

France's coronavirus cases top 1 million as daily tally hits new high

Europe witnesses surge in COVID-19 cases: Virus curfew begins in Milan