Swiss relax coronavirus rules further as new cases ebb
Switzerland unveiled plans on Wednesday to reopen borders to all its neighbours except Italy and to allow larger public gatherings, further easing restrictions on public life as the novel coronavirus outbreak shows signs of ebbing.
Frankfurt Book Fair to go ahead on schedule this year
Frankfurt’s renowned annual book fair will take place on its original dates in mid-October, its organisers said on Wednesday, a sign of some return to normality amid the coronavirus pandemic.
WHO chief announces creation of foundation to tap new funding sources
World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Wednesday the creation of a foundation that will enable it to tap new sources of funding, including the general public.
French restaurants set empty tables in appeal for lockdown help
Restaurants, bars and hotels across France set empty tables and draped chef’s aprons outside on Wednesday to protest against continuing lockdown restrictions and demand more state aid.
French court rejects request to release Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga
A French court on Wednesday rejected a request to release Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga under court supervision.
Iran changes tack in Iraqi politics after mastermind’s assassination
Two diplomats are quietly leading Iran’s push to influence politics in Iraq, in a departure from the more blunt enforcement employed by Qassem Soleimani, a top commander slain in a U.S. air strike.
Ireland may decide next week to speed up the reopening plan
Ireland may decide next week to speed up the reopening of its economy if coronavirus infections remain at the current low level, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Wednesday.
German minister warns of far-right threat as anti-Semitic crime jumps
The number of anti-Semitic crimes committed in Germany rose last year by 13%, Interior Minster Horst Seehofer said on Wednesday, laying the blame squarely on right-wing radicals.
UK tells EU: break the Brexit ‘impasse’ so we can do trade deal
Britain told the European Union on Wednesday it needed to break a fundamental impasse to clinch a Brexit trade deal by the end of the year and said an agreement on fisheries might not be ready by July.
Donors raise $2.79 billion for Venezuelan refugees amid COVID-19
(This May 26 story corrects amount in first and sixth paragraphs after official clarification by United Nations)
