Merkel’s first coronavirus test comes back negativeMarch 23, 2020 - 21:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has tested negative for the coronavirus according to an initial result, allaying concern over Germany’s leadership as Europe confronts the spiraling pandemic, Bloomberg reports. “Further tests will be taken in the coming days” to confirm Merkel’s health, her chief spokesman Steffen Seibert said. Merkel was in good health and, like many others, doing the job from home, he said earlier. Merkel quarantined herself late Sunday after learning that she had contact with a doctor who later tested positive for the virus. The doctor had administered a precautionary immunization against bacterial pneumonia for Merkel, 65, on Friday. The chancellor is leading by example as she tries to persuade Germans to take the threat of the virus seriously. While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is also self-isolating, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his deputy Pablo Iglesias have both continued to attend cabinet meetings after their partners tested positive. Via video link, the German leader on Monday chaired an emergency cabinet meeting that signed off on an unprecedented package worth more than 750 billion euros ($800 billion) to buoy the economy. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |