EU keeps defence fund alive with 8 billion euro proposal
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday spending 8 billion euros ($8.81 billion) of its next budget on a new European Union defence fund, keeping alive a Franco-German plan to deepen military cooperation despite the economic impact of COVID-19.
Georgia to reopen all shops, cafes, resume public transport before June 8: PM
Georgia will restart public transport and reopen shops, shopping malls and cafes and restaurants before June 8, the ex-Soviet country’s Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said on Wednesday.
Lawyer of Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga says client would not get fair U.N. trial
Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga believes he won’t receive a fair trial in an international court, which he would consider politically biased, whereas he thinks he could have one in France, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
South African mines record 320 COVID-19 cases ahead of lockdown easing
South Africa’s mining industry has so far recorded 320 cases of the new coronavirus, the Minerals Council said on Wednesday as underground mines prepare to ramp up output when Africa’s most industrialised economy eases lockdown measures next week.
Merkel: German states taking more responsibility for coronavirus steps
Germany’s federal government is monitoring the coronavirus closely but practical responsibility lies increasingly with the 16 states, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday, warning care must be taken to avoid the virus spreading fast again.
Poland’s presidential vote necessary by June 28: ruling party
The last possible date that Poland could hold a presidential election on is June 28, the leader of the country’s ruling nationalists Law and Justice (PiS) Jaroslaw Kaczynski said on Wednesday.
France, Italy, Belgium act to stop use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 on safety fears
France, Italy and Belgium acted to halt the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients suffering from COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, amid questions about the safety of the generic anti-malaria drug.
Bosnia and Croatia arrest eight suspected migrant smugglers
Police from Bosnia, Croatia and regional agency Europol caught eight suspected traffickers on Wednesday and blocked the smuggling of 45 migrants into the European Union (EU), Bosnian authorities said.
Bulgarian police seize $44 million worth of cocaine from apartment
Bulgarian police on Wednesday seized more than $43 million worth of cocaine from an apartment in the capital Sofia, occupied by a man who was detained a day earlier after police found 40 kg of the drug in his car, prosecutors said in a statement.
Brazil poll shows 60% support tougher lockdowns to combat coronavirus
Most Brazilians support stricter social distancing measures, according to a survey by pollster Datafolha published on Wednesday, to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic.
