Irish PM says it will take months for EU travel to return to normal
It will take months not weeks for COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted and travel around the European Union to return to normal, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told parliament on Thursday.
Slovakia moves toward allowing home quarantine for travelers after state centres criticised
The Slovak government approved legislation on Thursday that will allow people returning from abroad to self-isolate at home so long as they use a mobile app that will check on them, rather than be forced into quarantine in state-run facilities.
Porsches, popcorn and social distancing at Dubai drive-in cinema
Movie-goers in Dubai frustrated by the closure of cinemas during the coronavirus pandemic will soon be able to watch films from the comfort of their own car at a new drive-in cinema created on the roof of one of the world’s largest shopping malls.
Iran dismisses U.S. threat to trigger return of U.N. sanctions
Iran’s Foreign Minister on Thursday dismissed as “foolish claims” U.S. threats to trigger a return of all United Nations sanctions if the U.N. Security Council does not extend an arms embargo on Tehran, state media reported.
Malaysia to allow mass prayers ahead of Eid as coronavirus cases fall
Muslim-majority Malaysia will ease a ban on mass prayers in mosques, starting from Friday and ahead of this month’s Eid festival, the government said, as it gradually relaxes curbs that have helped rein in the coronavirus.
City at centre of Italy’s COVID-19 tragedy works to heal ‘deep scar’
After months leading his city through one of Europe’s worst COVID-19 outbreaks, Giorgio Gori, mayor of the northern Italian town of Bergamo, says the worst of the health crisis may be past. The new challenge of rebuilding is just beginning.
Malaysia to recover $107.3 million after settling 1MDB case against film producer
Malaysia’s anti-corruption commission said on Thursday it will recover overseas assets worth about $107.3 million in a settlement deal reached with Riza Aziz, a producer of Hollywood film “The Wolf of Wall Street” and the stepson of former Prime Minist…
Hungary could end emergency powers in late June: PM aide
Hungary’s government could retract the emergency powers obtained to fight the coronavirus in late June, depending on the evolution of the pandemic, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff said on Thursday.
Burundi kicks out WHO team amid election campaign
Burundi is expelling the national head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and three members of his team during a presidential election campaign that has gone ahead despite health risks from the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus vaccine possible in about a year, says EU agency
A vaccine to counter the new coronavirus could be approved in about a year in an “optimistic” scenario, a agency which approves medicines for the European Union said on Thursday.
