Defying French lockdown, Le Pen places May Day wreath as Macron urges unity
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen pressed ahead with her party’s annual May 1 tradition of honouring mediaeval heroine Joan of Arc despite a nationwide lockdown and criticised President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Australian PM says no evidence coronavirus originated in China laboratory, urges inquiry
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has angered Beijing by calling for a global inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak, said he had no evidence to suggest the disease originated in a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Russia reports record daily rise in coronavirus cases after PM’s infection
Russia on Friday reported a record daily rise in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, a day after Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced he had been diagnosed with the new virus and was temporarily stepping down to recover.
Turkey’s contact tracers race to contain coronavirus
Two medics in protective suits jumped out of a car in a deserted street in central Ankara and hurried inside a building – one carrying medical equipment and the other, paperwork.
Pakistani parliament’s speaker tests positive for COVID-19
The speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly said late on Thursday that he had tested positive for COVID-19, after hosting an iftar dinner to celebrate Ramadan, and meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan and other high officials earlier in the week.
Singapore confirms 932 new COVID-19 cases, taking total to 17,101
Singapore reported 932 new coronavirus cases on Friday, the health ministry said, taking the city-state’s total infections to 17,101.
Robots on hand to greet Japanese coronavirus patients in hotels
Coronavirus patients with light symptoms arriving to stay at several Tokyo hotels are likely to get a lift from a pleasant surprise – a robot greeter in the lobby.
Face masks fail to crimp style of Taiwan martial artists
For martial arts students in Taipei, training is going on almost as normal as Taiwan keeps the spread of the new coronavirus well under control.
Australia accelerates decision on whether to lift COVID-19 restrictions
The Australian government said on Friday it would meet a week ahead of schedule to decide whether to ease social distancing restrictions, as the numbers of new coronavirus infections dwindle and pressure mounts for business and schools to reopen.
Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 1,639; deaths up 193: RKI
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 1,639 to 160,758, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.
