Polish ombudsman asks court to block presidential election plan
Poland’s human rights commissioner sought a court order on Wednesday to block government preparations to hold a presidential election on May 10 by postal ballot, saying they were a “gross violation” of the law.
Nigeria to ease lockdowns in three states over six-week period
Nigeria will ease coronavirus lockdowns in three states over a six-week period from May 4, the head of the country’s task force on the virus said on Wednesday.
‘Test and trace’ has worked for us, Ghana’s president says
A rigorous programme of testing for coronavirus and tracing the contacts of those found positive has helped Ghana avoid an explosion in cases that could have overwhelmed its health system, President Nana Akufo-Addo said on Wednesday.
Pompeo urges end to overflight rights for Iran airline flying to Venezuela
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday called on countries to deny overflight rights to Mahan Air, an Iranian airline under U.S. sanctions, which he said recently delivered cargoes of “unknown support” to the Venezuelan government.
German tourist sector dismayed as Berlin extends travel warning
Germany might be easing some COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, but the government tamped down any hopes in the tourism sector that it might relax holiday guidance when it extended its warning against worldwide travel until June 14 on Wednesday.
Long live jog and stroll, court tells over-strict German region
The regional state of Saarland had one of the strictest lockdowns in Germany to tackle one of its highest infection rates – but was told by a court on Wednesday to loosen up a little and let people get fresh air and visit relatives.
UK has Europe’s second-highest COVID-19 death toll, new figures show
The United Kingdom now has Europe’s second-highest official death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to new figures on Wednesday that cover fatalities in all settings, including in nursing homes.
WHO says it acted ‘quickly and decisively’ on new coronavirus
The chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) defended the agency’s record in its response to the new coronavirus in a news briefing on Wednesday, saying it had acted “quickly and decisively”.
Colombia to offer legal benefits to those who leave gangs
Colombia will offer individuals who leave crime gangs and rebel dissident groups legal benefits including reduced sentences in an effort to weaken illegal armed groups, the Andean country’s high peace commissioner said on Wednesday.
Scientists urge Germans to keep social distancing discipline
Germans must persevere with social distancing or risk exponential growth in the number of coronavirus cases, four leading science institutes said on Wednesday.
