Researchers in Thailand testing horseshoe bats for coronavirus
Researchers in Thailand began collecting samples from horseshoe bats to test them for coronavirus amid concerns they may pose a threat to local residents, a government statement said on Saturday.
Italy’s PM says virus crisis should be opportunity to reform country
Italy cannot afford to return to normality after the coronavirus emergency but should turn the crisis into an opportunity to reform the country, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Saturday.
Iran will reimpose restrictions if health rules not observed
Iran will reimpose restrictions to stem a surge in coronavirus cases if health regulations are not observed, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday.
Austria plans coronavirus help for jobless, families
The Austrian government intends to make one-off payments to jobless people and boost spending on families with children as part of measures this year to cushion the blow from the coronavirus pandemic, its coalition leaders said.
Philippines must pass anti-terrorism bill to stay off “grey list”: council
The Philippines risks being included in an international “grey list” of nations falling short of global money-laundering rules if it fails to enact and effectively implement a new anti-terrorism bill, its anti-money laundering body warned on Saturday.
Thousands attend Black Lives Matter protests across Australia
Thousands of people across Australia attended Black Lives Matter protests on Saturday wearing masks and practising social distancing amid warnings from state leaders to call off the events on fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Taiwan Black Lives Matter protest gets indigenous twist
Hundreds packed into a park in central Taipei on Saturday for a Black Lives Matter protest, with a group of indigenous Taiwanese given prominent billing to draw attention to discrimination against the island’s original inhabitants.
Mayor urges people to avoid central London ahead of protests
London’s mayor called on people to stay away from central London on Saturday as the capital prepared for potential confrontation between anti-racism protesters and far right groups.
Beijing district in ‘wartime emergency’ after virus cluster at major food market
A Beijing district put itself on a “wartime” footing and the capital banned tourism and sports events on Saturday after a cluster of novel coronavirus infections centred around a major wholesale market sparked fears of a new wave of COVID-19.
China sentences Australian to death in fresh blow to relations
An Australian man has been sentenced to death in China, authorities said on Saturday, a development that could further escalate tensions between the two countries.
