Lockdowns cripple Chinese economy

More than 260 million Orthodox Christians have found ways to celebrate their holiest day as church pews remained empty. But not everyone abided by coronavirus rules, with thousands taking part in services regardless.

Nigeria will begin a "phased and gradual" easing of more than four weeks of lockdowns in the national capital and the largest city on May 4, President Muhammadu Buhari said in an address on Monday.

The Walt Disney Company has said its profits in the first three months of the year are $1.4 billion lower because of the coronavirus lockdowns in many parts of the world. The company saw a particular slump in income from its theme parks, which have been shut down due to the virus spreading. Also today: more bad news in the travel industry, as the home rental giant Airbnb cuts 25 percent of its workforce. Our Business Editor Stephen Carroll tells us more.

Two studies show that anti-COVID-19 measures taken by many governments were sensible and effective. Without restrictions on the freedom of movement of their citizens, hundreds of millions more would have fallen ill.

Amnesty International has said police in Europe demonstrated racial discrimination when implementing lockdowns.

As Amnesty publishes a report detailing allegations of police racial discrimination during coronavirus lockdowns, Spain’s former Justice Minister tells FRANCE 24 that the claims must be investigated, and if proven, prosecuted. Juan Fernando Lopez-Aguilar, chair of the EU Parliament’s Justice and Civil Liberties committee, also calls for abuses of civil liberties during EU states’ coronavirus responses, to be punished, if proven.

German state health ministers say restrictions imposed amid future coronavirus outbreaks should be localized on a small scale. This comes as the slaughterhouse behind a major lockdown resumes operations.

Many scientists hoped for the biggest annual fall in man-made emissions this year due to coronavirus measures which have grounded planes and kept commuters at home. But the UN described such a forecast as a "tiny blip."

Black Friday, the biggest shopping day in the US, will be more like a bleak Friday for brick-and-mortar retailers as shoppers continue their migration online. Still, city centers are here to stay.

Domestic abuse spikes during the holidays and the coronavirus lockdown will only make things worse. One-quarter of all women experience abuse in their lives and lockdown measures are making it harder to get help.

As much of the world tightens lockdowns to stem coronavirus, Dubai has flung its doors open, branding itself as a sunny, quarantine-free escape -- despite a sharp rise in cases. While mask-wearing and social distancing are strictly enforced, life in the tourism-reliant emirate looks much like normal, with its restaurants, hotels and mega-malls open for business. Daily detected cases hover in the mid-3,000s across the United Arab Emirates, which has a population of under 10 million, with 745 deaths from Covid-19 since the pandemic began.

Consecutive lockdowns in the restive region for security and COVID reasons, coupled with a shutdown of high-speed internet and mobile connectivity, have hurt students' educational opportunities.