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.
Japan lifts emergency in most areas but not in Tokyo, Osaka
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted a state of emergency in large parts of the country on Thursday but said it would remain in place in Tokyo until the novel coronavirus is contained.
Israel offers peek at new normal for air travel during pandemic
Arrive four hours early, in a mask and without any escort. Get checked for a fever, disinfect your hands, watch out for the fleet of robotic cleaners, and again disinfect your hands.
Snaking queues at Jakarta airport as crowds ignore distancing rules
Thousands of travellers queued cheek by jowl at an airport terminal in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday, ignoring regulations on social distancing and despite an official lockdown slated to run until the start of June.
Hungary flags some easing of virus restrictions in Budapest next week
Hungary’s government is considering some easing of restrictions to contain the spread of coronavirus in Budapest from next week due to a decline in the number of infections, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff said on Thursday.
Taiwan says WHO has ‘forgotten’ neutrality by barring island
The World Health Organization (WHO) has “forgotten” its professionalism and neutrality in locking Taiwan out of the body for political reasons, Taiwan Vice President Chen Chien-jen said on Thursday.
