Britain, EU dig in their heels in trade talks
Talks between Britain and the European Union on their new trade relationship made little progress this week, sources with the bloc said on Friday, with persistent differences on key areas weighing on chances for a deal by the end of the year.
Uzbekistan extends confinement measures, eases some restrictions
Uzbekistan will keep some of its lockdowns in place until June 1, the government said on Friday, but allow movement within and between certain major cities and provinces.
China says stable bilateral relations in best interests of China, U.S.
China’s foreign ministry said on Friday that steady Sino-U.S. bilateral relations serve the interests of both people, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments that he could cut ties with the world’s second-largest economy.
Russia reports 10,598 new coronavirus infections
Russia on Friday reported 10,598 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide case tally to 262,843.
Turkey detains four more Kurdish mayors on alleged terror links
Turkish authorities detained mayors of four more municipalities in Kurdish-majority areas on Friday as part of what it called terrorism related investigations, a security source and state-owned Anadolu news agency said on Friday.
Hong Kong watchdog says claims of police brutality should not be used as “political weapon”
Accusations of police brutality must not be used as “a weapon of political protest”, Hong Kong’s police watchdog said in a report on Friday, adding that the Chinese-ruled city appeared to be getting dragged into an “era of terrorism”.
China says COVID-19 risks from imported cases are ‘controllable’
The risk of a COVID-19 resurgence in China from so-called imported infections is controllable, an official of the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Friday.
Hong Kong watchdog says claims of police brutality should not be used as ‘political weapon’
Accusations of police brutality must not be used as “a weapon of political protest,” Hong Kong’s police watchdog said in a report on Friday, adding that the Chinese-ruled city appeared to be getting dragged into an “era of terrorism”.
Chinese official hails ‘incomparable’ improvement in air quality as virus hits industry
China’s air quality saw “incomparable” improvements in the first quarter of this year as a coronavirus outbreak led to rapid declines in industrial activity and transportation, an environment ministry official said on Friday.
Chinese corrals Pacific, Caribbean support ahead of World Health meeting
Beijing has hosted a teleconference with its Pacific island nation allies to discuss COVID-19 aid and publicised their pledge to support the “One China” principle and “oppose any attempt” to politicise the coronavirus pandemic.
