Botswana reinstates strict coronavirus lockdown in capital city
Botswana brought back a strict coronavirus lockdown in its capital city, Gaborone, and surrounding areas after the southern African country recorded 12 new cases of the virus, a senior health official said late on Friday.
Churchill statue boarded up ahead of expected UK protests on Saturday
Statues of historical figures including Winston Churchill have been boarded up ahead of more expected protests on Saturday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was “shameful” that the monument to Britain’s wartime leader was at risk of attack.
As Brazil’s COVID-19 deaths surge, WHO says hospital system coping
Brazil’s COVID-19 death toll is on track to overtake Britain on Friday to become the second highest in the world with over 40,000 dead, but the World Health Organization said the nation’s health system was standing up to the pressure.
Canada’s Trudeau calls arrest video of indigenous leader ‘shocking’
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that newly released video showing a forceful arrest of a Canadian indigenous leader was “shocking,” saying it raised serious questions.
Iran rejects U.N. report that arms ‘of Iranian origin’ used in Saudi attacks
Iran on Friday rejected a United Nations report that said cruise missiles used in attacks on oil facilities and an airport in Saudi Arabia last year were of “Iranian origin”, saying it had been drawn up under U.S. and Saudi influence.
France calls on U.S. to withdraw measures targeting ICC
France said on Friday that a U.S. decision to impose sanctions against employees of the International Criminal Court is an attack on states party to the Rome Statute and called on the U.S. to withdraw those measures.
Ukraine leader cancels meetings, trips after wife tests positive for coronavirus
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy cancelled face-to-face meetings and visits and will limit his contacts to a close circle after his wife tested positive for coronavirus, the presidential press service said on Friday.
French coronavirus 24-hour death toll under 30 for third day in a row
France reported on Friday that the number of people who died from coronavirus infection over the past 24 hours increased by just 28 to 29,374, the third day the toll remained under 30 and the lowest three-day toll since lockdown started in mid-March.
Tear gas fired as crowd seizes Kenya pop star’s body to halt hasty COVID funeral
Hundreds of Kenyans defied tear gas and riot police on Friday to carry off the body of a popular singer, trying to prevent a swift burial under rules for suspected coronavirus cases which the crowd said would be disrespectful.
Italian prosecutors question PM Conte for three hours over coronavirus response
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was questioned by prosecutors on Friday about the country’s response to its coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 34,000 people.
