Germany set to extend hard lockdown as daily deaths mount

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s disease control center is reporting 944 new COVID-19 deaths as Chancellor Angela Merkel and the country’s 16 state governors meet to decide on an extension of the country’s coronavirus lockdown. Germany’s lockdown took effect on Dec. 16 after a partial shutdown that started in early November failed to reduce new coronavirus infections. It was initially set to expire Jan. 10. It’s clear that Merkel and the governors will agree to extend