Poland to scrap obligation to wear masks on May 30
Poles will be allowed to go out in public without protective masks on from May 30 and cinemas, theatres, swimming pools and gyms will reopen on June 6, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday.
Steve Bannon wins battle to set up Italy political academy
Steve Bannon, the former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, has won a battle with Italy’s culture ministry to set up a right-wing Catholic political academy in Italy.
Serbia blocks flights from Montenegro over coronavirus row
Serbia has banned inbound flights by Montenegro’s flag carrier Montenegro Airlines after Podgorica refused to open its borders to people from Serbia, where coronavirus persists.
Antibody drug tech firm AbCellera raises $105 million as it works on COVID-19
Canadian drug discovery technology company AbCellera, which analyzes and identifies antibodies for pharmaceutical companies working on a coronavirus treatment and other medicines, said on Wednesday it had raised $105 million in funds.
Taiwan president pledges humanitarian relief for Hong Kongers
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday pledged to draw up a plan to give humanitarian relief to people involved in pro-democracy protests in Taiwan’s most concrete intervention since a renewal of unrest in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong.
Exclusive: U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan down to close to 8,600 ahead of schedule – U.S. and NATO officials
U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan is down to nearly 8,600, well ahead of a schedule agreed with Taliban militants in late February, in part because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, U.S. and NATO officials said.
Stranded overseas, Chinese vent anger on aviation regulator
Chinese citizens, stranded abroad after the coronavirus pandemic caused thousands of flight cancellations, are taking their anger out on China’s aviation regulator.
Philippines reports 18 new coronavirus deaths, 380 more infections
The Philippines’ health ministry on Wednesday reported 18 new coronavirus deaths and 380 additional infections, the highest single-day increase in cases in more than seven weeks.
Britain proposes November 2021 date for delayed U.N. climate summit
Britain has proposed hosting in November 2021 a United Nations’ climate summit that was postponed from this November due to the coronavirus pandemic, a letter from the Cabinet Office seen by Reuters shows.
New Iran parliament convenes under strict coronavirus curbs
Iran’s new parliament convened on Wednesday after the Feb. 21 elections under strict health protocols and social distancing rules to ward off the coronavirus in one of the hardest-hit Middle Eastern countries.
