ROME (Reuters) – The situation in Europe, where coronavirus infections are surging, is “serious and alarming” and the bloc must be more efficient with testing, contact tracing, vaccine and quarantine policies, the EU Council President said. Read full story

PARIS (Reuters) – Professor Philippe Juvin, a leading member of Paris’ Georges-Pompidou hospital, told RTL radio on Wednesday that France had to accept a new, national lockdown to tackle a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus. Read full story

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision on whether or not to enforce a state of emergency to curb Covid-19 should be referred to health and safety experts, instead of politicians and Constitutional experts, says PAS president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Hadi Awang. Read full story

BERLIN (Reuters) – The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 14,964, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday. Read full story

PATNA, India: Millions of Indians turned out to cast ballots in a state election Wednesday in the world’s biggest vote since the coronavirus emerged, with booths packed out and many ignoring government advice on wearing masks and social distancing.