Ireland to make 14-day quarantine for travellers compulsory
Ireland will make it mandatory for incoming travellers to provide the address at which they will self-isolate for 14 days, having previously asked for such details but not required them, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Friday.
Italy’s daily coronavirus death toll and new cases dip
Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy fell to 242 on Friday, against 262 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new cases dipped to 789 from 992 on Thursday.
U.S. health secretary expresses confidence in Abbott’s fast COVID-19 test
A top Trump administration official said on Friday the government still has confidence in Abbott Laboratories’ speedy coronavirus test used at the White House, which regulators have warned could deliver inaccurate results.
Poland appoints conservative interim Supreme Court head in judicial turmoil
Poland’s president appointed an ultra-conservative as new interim head of the Supreme Court on Friday after his predecessor resigned, deepening judicial and political turmoil ahead of a controversial presidential election.
WHO head says vaccines, medicines must be fairly shared to beat COVID-19
Scientists and researchers are working at “breakneck” speed to find solutions for COVID-19 but the pandemic can only be beaten with equitable distribution of medicines and vaccines, the head of the World Health Organization said on Friday.
Poland’s interim top judge resigns in Supreme Court turmoil
The interim head of Poland’s Supreme Court resigned on Friday, deepening judicial and political turmoil in a country struggling to choose its top judge and decide when presidential elections that were due in May will eventually be held.
Brazil’s health minister resigns after just weeks on the job
Brazil’s health minister Nelson Teich handed in his resignation on Friday after less than a month on the job, adding to turmoil in the government’s handling of the novel coronavirus as the country becomes a global hotspot for the pandemic.
Ireland to press ahead with partial reopening of economy
Ireland will begin the partial and gradual reopening of its economy as planned from Monday, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Friday, calling for increased discipline from the public if a further relaxation is to be triggered in three weeks’ time.
New date for intra-Afghan peace talks under discussion, Khalilzad says
A new date for intra-Afghan peace talks is under discussion and the United States has heard positive reports about the formation of an inclusive Afghan government, U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad said on Friday.
UK, EU demand each other give ground in trade talks or risk no deal
By Gabriela Baczynska, Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew MacAskill
