Briefly

EUROPE

Fresh curbs as global cases top 30 million

Large parts of Europe on Friday geared up for broad new restrictions to stop the coronavirus, after infections worldwide topped 30 million and the World Health Organization warned of "alarming rates of transmission". The United Kingdom is limiting gatherings and France is set to roll out new curbs for major cities as governments across the continent battle fresh spikes of the disease. More than 943,000 people have now died from COVID-19 since it first emerged late last year, with Europe accounting for more than 200,000. WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said a surge seen this month "should serve as a wake-up call" after the continent recorded 54,000 infections in a single day last week－a new record.