Russia’s coronavirus infections near 450,000
Russia reported 8,726 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, pushing the total number of infections to 449,834.
Singapore plans wearable virus contact tracing device for all
Singapore plans to give a wearable device that will identify people who had interacted with carriers of coronavirus to all of its 5.7 million residents, in what could become one of the most comprehensive contact tracing efforts globally.
Turkey could ban layoffs for three more months, Hurriyet reports
Turkey could extend a three-month ban on layoffs that was imposed in April to offset shuttered businesses and unemployment in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Hurriyet newspaper reported on Friday, citing unnamed officials.
Singapore reports 261 new coronavirus cases, smallest rise in two months
Singapore’s health ministry on Friday confirmed another 261 coronavirus cases, the city-state’s smallest increase in nearly two months, taking its tally to 37,183.
Australia’s AAP news agency lives on after finding buyers
Australian Associated Press (AAP) said on Friday it expects to be sold to a group of philanthropic investors, a reprieve for the news agency that had been facing closure, and for the industry, after a run of layoffs as advertising dwindles.
Japan’s Dentsu evacuates Tokyo HQ after bomb threat
Japan’s largest advertising agency, Dentsu Group Inc, has evacuated its Tokyo headquarters after receiving a bomb threat, an internal company email reviewed by Reuters showed on Friday.
Dozens in Hong Kong stage pro-democracy protest in shopping mall
Dozens of Hong Kong protesters marched through a shopping mall on Friday, chanting pro-democracy slogans a day after thousands defied a police ban to hold a vigil for the anniversary of China’s Tiananmen crackdown in 1989.
Syrian court orders Syriatel placed under judicial custody
A Syrian court has ordered that Syriatel, owned by prominent businessman Rami Makhlouf, be placed under judicial custody amid a high-profile dispute over arrears, according to a document posted on the court’s Facebook page.
Czechs drop travel restrictions for Austria, Germany, Hungary from noon on Friday
The Czech government agreed to fully open its borders with neighbours Austria and Germany and allow unrestricted travel to and from Hungary from noon on Friday, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said.
After Pakistan’s lockdown gamble, COVID-19 cases surge
Four weeks ago, with its most important festival coming up and millions of people facing starvation as economic activity dwindled, Pakistan lifted a two-month-long coronavirus lockdown.
