Moldova accuses tycoon of involvement in $1 billion fraud
Moldova’s Prosecutor General said on Monday that one of the country’s richest people, Vladimir Plahotniuc, had been charged with involvement in the theft of $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014-2015.
WHO chief promises review of coronavirus response, China pledges $2 billion
The World Health Organization said on Monday an independent review of the global coronavirus response would begin as soon as possible, and received backing and a hefty pledge of funds from China, in the spotlight as the origin of the pandemic.
Iran calls for solidarity against pandemic, condemns U.S. sanctions
Iran called on Monday for global solidarity against the pandemic, but said that unilateral sanctions are “inhumane” and causing “unnecessary suffering and pain” for its population.
Start ‘travel bubbles’ for low-risk countries, Heathrow urges UK
Britain should set up “travel bubbles” with low-risk countries to allow the movement of people, instead of bringing in new coronavirus quarantine rules when flights restart, according to Heathrow Airport.
Nigeria to impose ‘precision lockdown’ in coronavirus hotspots: task force head
Nigeria will impose “precision” lockdown measures in areas that report rapid increases in cases of the new coronavirus but it will slow the phased reopening of the economy, the head of its task force said on Monday.
Visitors return to European landmarks, but only in miniature
Visitors were back at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, London’s Houses of Parliament and the Grand Place in Brussels on Monday, not flouting lockdowns but at the reopened Mini-Europe miniature theme park.
Russian prosecutors intervene after some virus bonuses to medics go awry
Prosecutors in Russia said on Monday that they had intervened to force hospitals to pay out coronavirus bonus payments promised by President Vladimir Putin to medics, after some staff said they had not received them.
Taiwan says it did not receive WHO meeting invite, issue off the table for now
Despite strong efforts Taiwan did not get invited to this week’s meeting of a key World Health Organization (WHO) body due to Chinese pressure, its foreign minister said on Monday, adding they had agreed to put the issue off until later this year.
Morocco extends coronavirus lockdown to June 10
Morocco is to extend its national lockdown to contain the spread of the new coronavirus until June 10, Prime Minister Saad Dine El Otmani said on Monday.Morocco had confirmed 6,930 coronavirus cases, including 192 deaths, by Monday morning, as the rise…
Mask in a restaurant? This one can gobble like Pac-Man
Israeli inventors have developed a coronavirus mask with a remote control mouth that lets diners eat food without taking it off, a device they say could make a visit to a restaurant less risky.
