Monday 25 May
- Coronavirus: Global cases top 5.5 million.
- Dominic Cummings row has overshadowed the government’s plans to lift the lockdown.
- Englands new school rules / Distanced drop-offs and social bubbles.
- Even as the virus eases, the worst may still be yet to come for Abe.
- Cemeteries overflow in Aden as Yemen experience spike in Covid-19 cases.
Coronavirus: live updates
CNN says more than 5.4 million cases of Covid-19 have been reported worldwide, as well as at least 345,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The US has suspended entry for anyone who has been to Brazil in the previous 14 days, as the number of cases in the South American country spike.
Read the full story on CNN
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Cummings row overshadows plans to lift the lockdown
BBC News says the cabinet is to meet later to discuss the further easing of the coronavirus lockdown as Boris Johnson continues to be engulfed by claims his senior aide Dominic Cummings breached the rules.
The prime minister is this week expected to set out details of plans to lift restrictions.
But some Tory backbench MPs say the row has undermined the government’s message and want Mr Cummings to resign.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Englands new school rules / Distanced drop-offs and social bubbles
The Guardian says Children in nursery, reception, year one and year six in primary schools in England, who are due to start a phased return to school from 1 June, will be asked to get to school by foot, bike or car, avoiding public transport as much as possible, accompanied by just one parent or carer.
The new school day may start slightly earlier for some, because there will be a staggered drop-off time to avoid large numbers of parents and children gathering at the school gates.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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Even as the virus eases. The worst may be yet to come for Abe
Japan Times says Japan’s coronavirus emergency was coming to an end, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s political troubles may be just beginning.
Abe’s efforts to curb the outbreak and ease its economic damage have been widely ridiculed as slow and ineffective. He’s been outshone by regional governors, who pressed him to finally call the state of emergency credited with halting the spread of infections for now.
Read the full story on Japan Times
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Cemeteries overflow in Aden as Covid-19 deaths spike in Yemen
Aljazeera says cemeteries are overflowing in the Yemeni city of Aden after a spike in coronavirus cases.
The United Nations has announced that Yemen’s health system has effectively collapsed after years of war and the burden of the pandemic.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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A look at the other top headlines this morning
‘Dems could pick a glass of water as a candidate.’ Trump picks apart Biden
RT News says President Trump has unloaded on rival Joe Biden, who he said “doesn’t know he’s alive,” and has also promised that his new intelligence director and Attorney General William Barr will “Break the deep state.”
France announces new sate for second round of local elections
EuroNews says French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe says the second round of the country’s municipal elections will take place on June 28.
The first round was held on March 15th two days before France entered a nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Mory Kante: Guinean icon famed for Yeke Yeke song dies
AfricaNews says Guinean traditional music icon Mory Kante has died, President Alpha Conde confirmed in a tweet of May 22. Conde described his death as a loss for African culture. He added that Mory had led an exceptional, exemplary life which was a source of pride.
Update: Netanyahu in court on corruption charges
Arab News says Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday became the first sitting prime minister of Israel to go on trial on criminal charges.
Hong Kong security law ‘needed to tackle terrorism’
BBC News says Hong Kong needs a controversial new security law to tackle “growing terrorism”, the territory’s security chief has said.
John Lee said the city had become “shrouded in the shadow of violence”.
Bougainville: South Pacific island to become world’s newest nation after voting for independence
The Independent says the South Pacific region of Bougainville has voted overwhelmingly for independence in a historic poll, which will trigger separation negotiations with Papua New Guinea.
