Beijing city government to further cut COVID-19 emergency response level
Beijing’s municipal government said on Friday it will lower its COVID-19 emergency response from level II to level III effective from Saturday, state media reported.
Libyan government says it has entered Haftar stronghold Tarhouna
Forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognised government said on Friday they had entered Tarhouna, the last major stronghold of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar near Tripoli, capping the sudden collapse of his 14-month offensive.
Thailand to tout ‘trusted’ tourism in coronavirus era
Thailand is positioning itself as a trusted destination for international tourists after travel restrictions ease, capitalising on its relative success in containing the coronavirus outbreak, industry officials say.
Dutch PM says his attitude to ‘Black Pete’ winter tradition has undergone ‘great changes’
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his attitude towards “Black Pete”, a figure from the country’s winter holiday celebrations that has been criticized as a racist caricature, had undergone “great changes” in recent years.
China says social media firms should not selectively create obstacles for media
China said on Friday that social media companies should not selectively create obstacles for media agencies, responding to Facebook Inc’s decision to start labeling state-controlled media organisations.
Russia’s coronavirus infections near 450,000
Russia reported 8,726 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, pushing the total number of infections to 449,834.
Singapore plans wearable virus contact tracing device for all
Singapore plans to give a wearable device that will identify people who had interacted with carriers of coronavirus to all of its 5.7 million residents, in what could become one of the most comprehensive contact tracing efforts globally.
Turkey could ban layoffs for three more months, Hurriyet reports
Turkey could extend a three-month ban on layoffs that was imposed in April to offset shuttered businesses and unemployment in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Hurriyet newspaper reported on Friday, citing unnamed officials.
Singapore reports 261 new coronavirus cases, smallest rise in two months
Singapore’s health ministry on Friday confirmed another 261 coronavirus cases, the city-state’s smallest increase in nearly two months, taking its tally to 37,183.
Australia’s AAP news agency lives on after finding buyers
Australian Associated Press (AAP) said on Friday it expects to be sold to a group of philanthropic investors, a reprieve for the news agency that had been facing closure, and for the industry, after a run of layoffs as advertising dwindles.
