Israel Katz takes over as Israeli finance minister
Israel Katz took over as Israel’s finance minister on Monday as part of a new government, saying he planned to work towards helping the economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus while also promoting competition.
Acropolis sparkles in the sun as Greek tourist spots reopen
Greece reopened the Acropolis, museums and other major tourist attractions as the coronavirus lockdown eased in bright sunshine in Athens on Monday.
Hong Kong’s veteran pro-democracy activists defiant as they hear charges in court
Some of the 15 pro-democracy activists arrested in police raids in Hong Kong showed defiance on Monday as they appeared in court to hear charges of participating in illegal anti-government demonstrations last year.
Thai traffic back to gridlock as coronavirus measures ease
Cars, trucks and motorcycles jostled on Monday in a return of the Thai capital’s familiar gridlock as commuters headed back to work in the second phase of easing coronavirus restrictions to get the economy back on track.
Night at the museum: Australian police arrest German student over break-in
Australian police on Monday charged a German student with breaking into a Sydney museum as security footage showed him allegedly taking selfies next to dinosaur exhibits.
Libyan forces aligned with Tripoli government claim key air base
Forces aligned with Libya’s internationally recognised government said on Monday they had taken control of an air base south-west of Tripoli in what could be their most significant advance for nearly a year.
‘A beautiful day’ in Italy, as shops and bars finally reopen
Italian shops, hairdressers and restaurants finally threw open their doors on Monday as the country sped up efforts to bounce back from the coronavirus crisis after a 10-week lockdown.
Vatican, Italy start return to religious normal as public Masses resume
Pope Francis inaugurated the full reopening of St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday and Catholic churches held public Masses for the first time in two months in the latest easing of Italy’s coronavirus restrictions.
Japan to put off bid to raise prosecutors’ retirement age after backlash
Japan’s government will postpone a bid to raise the retirement age of public prosecutors, media said on Monday, given an intense public backlash fuelled by fears for judicial independence.
Indonesia reports 496 new coronavirus infections, 43 deaths
Indonesia reported on Monday 496 new coronavirus infections, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country to 18,010, said health ministry official Achmad Yurianto
