Finland’s Centre Party nominates Vanhanen for finance minister
Finland’s Centre Party on Monday nominated former Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen as its candidate for finance minister, following Katri Kulmuni’s resignation on Friday over her use of taxpayers’ money to pay for training in public speaking.
UAE says Egypt initiative for Libya boosts peace track
The United Arab Emirates supports a new Egyptian peace initiative for Libya as a move towards a ceasefire and political solution, a senior official said on Monday.
Pakistan cracks down on safety breaches, coronavirus cases top 100,000
Authorities in Pakistan have stepped up enforcement of government safety measures after a rise in the daily number of coronavirus infections pushed total cases to more than 100,000.
Worshippers in masks return to temples as India reopens amid rising coronavirus cases
People trickled into temples and mosques in India on Monday as the federal government lifted most restrictions on public places, even as the country added a record number of infections in a single day.
Japan to adopt selective, rather than blanket, approach in coronavirus tests
Japan will stop short of offering blanket coronavirus tests, and instead target the vulnerable and those most at risk in seeking to prevent a second wave of infections, the minister in charge of policies to combat the health crisis said.
U.S. decision to withdraw troops from Germany “unacceptable” – Merkel ally
Germany’s coordinator for transatlantic ties has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany.
Schools re-open in South Africa after initial delay
Children in South Africa began returning to classrooms on Monday as part of a gradual loosening of restrictions imposed under a months-long COVID-19 lockdown in the continent’s most industrialised nation.
Philippines probes proliferation of fake Facebook accounts after anti-terror law protest
The Philippines is investigating the proliferation of fake Facebook accounts using the identities of students, journalists and government officials, which appeared after an anti-terror law protest, the justice secretary told Reuters on Monday.
Poland plans no new restrictions despite hike in coronavirus infections
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jadwiga Emilewicz said on Monday that she saw no need to introduce new restrictions or re-instate previous ones despite a sudden hike in new infections over the weekend.
New Zealand says coronavirus ‘eliminated’ and life can resume without restrictions
New Zealand has eliminated transmission of the coronavirus domestically and will lift all containment measures except for border controls, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday, making it one of the first countries to do so.
