Fearing new virus wave, France refines end of lockdown plans
France offered retailers some relief on Thursday, saying it wanted them to reopen when a nationwide lockdown ends on May 11, though some curbs could remain in certain areas to delay a new wave of the coronavirus.
Gay couple fights prejudice and coronavirus in Poland by distributing rainbow face masks
Married gay couple Dawid Mycek and Jakub Kwiecinski say they face frequent abuse in Poland for being part of a so-called “homosexual plague.”
Exclusive: France first – Paris ignores EU calls to lift export bans on COVID-19 drugs
France has expanded its list of drugs that face export restrictions through the coronavirus crisis despite repeated calls from the European Union to lift curbs that could cause shortages in other countries, documents show.
South Africa’s COVID-19 crisis strengthens Ramaphosa’s economic reform hand
The coronavirus crisis that has decimated South Africa’s already struggling economy presents President Cyril Ramaphosa with his best opportunity yet for reforming it, analysts say, even if he encounters resistance along the way.
Pompeo warns U.S. may never restore WHO funding
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a fundamental reform of the World Health Organization is needed following its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and that the United States, the WHO’s biggest donor, may never restore funding to the U.N. body….
Egypt shortens night curfew by an hour for Ramadan
Egypt will keep a night-time curfew for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan to combat the coronavirus spread but make it one hour shorter, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Thursday.
Police file case against Indian news anchor for inciting hatred
Indian police have registered a case against a top television news anchor for inciting religious discord after he criticised opposition leader Sonia Gandhi during a show about a vigilante attack in which Hindu holy men were killed.
Mexico, U.S. ‘need each other’ on migration, Lopez Obrador says
Mexico and the United States depend on each other when it comes to migration, and it is important not to “paralyze” commercial activity between the two countries, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday.
Risking contagion, Israel upgrades empty roads and rails
Roadwork is booming in Israel as construction crews take advantage of empty roads and railways in the time of coronavirus to upgrade the developed world’s most congested highways.
Tokyo launches coronavirus drive-through tests as crisis deepens
Tokyo’s first drive-through coronavirus test centre was launched this week, as Japan ramps up efforts to prevent its medical system crumbling under the growing weight of new infections.
