Italy coronavirus deaths nearing 5500 after 651 riseMarch 23, 2020 - 11:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italy's world-topping toll from the coronavirus pandemic approached 5,500 on Sunday, March 22 after the Mediterranean country reported another 651 deaths, The Local reports. The latest daily toll was smaller than Saturday's record 793 fatalities but still the second-highest registered during Italy's month-long crisis. The number of confirmed new infections rose by 10.4 percent to 59,138. Italy's death toll now stands at 5,476. The one-day total is less than the 793 new coronavirus deaths recorded on Saturday, a one-day record. Italy has reported over 2,000 deaths since Friday, a grim figure that suggested the pandemic may be breaking through the government's various containment and social distancing measures. But Italian civil protection service chief Angelo Borrelli was hopeful. "The figures announced today are lower than those for yesterday," he told reporters. "I hope and we all hope that these figures can be borne out in the coming days. But do not let your guard down." The Mediterranean nation of 60 million has been under an effective lockdown since March 12, when public gatherings were banned and most stores shuttered. On Saturday evening the Italian PM Giuseppe Conte announced that all non-essential factories would end production. Photo. AFP 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |