Friday April 3
Long queues as shops reopen in England.
Germany lifts travel warning for 27 countries.
France accelerates lifting of lockdown after ‘first victory’ against covid-19.
NHS: Migrant staff still paying a fee despite Boris u-turn.
Indian journalists targeted for coronavirus reporting.
Long queues as shops reopen in England
BBC News says pent-up demand has prompted queues at some shops as rules are relaxed in England after a three-month lockdown.
Long queues were reported outside Primark shops in London and Birmingham ahead of their 8 am opening time.
The chain, which like other clothing shops has been closed since 23 March, does not offer online shopping meaning customers can only buy in the store.
All shops in England are allowed to open, although retailers have had to introduce strict safety measures.
Read the full story on BBC News
…………………………………………..
Germany lifts travel warning for 27 countries
CNN says Germany has lifted its travel warning for 27 countries in continental Europe.
Spain is not included in the list, but some German tourists can now travel to the popular Balearic island of Mallorca.
Frankfurt airport this morning remained quiet, however. Only two flights are leaving for Palma de Mallorca today the departure display showed, according to CNN affiliate n-tv.
Read the full story on CNN
…………………………………………..
France accelerates lifting of lockdown after ‘first victory’ against covid-19
France24 says French President Macron said on Sunday said he was accelerating plans to ease the country’s coronavirus lockdown to revive the euro zone’s second-biggest economy more swiftly.
“The fight against the epidemic is not finished but I am happy about this first victory against the virus,” Macron said in an address to the nation.
Read the full story on France24
…………………………………………..
NHS: Migrant staff still paying a fee despite Boris u-turn
The Guardian says foreign NHS workers and carers are still being charged for using the health service, despite the prime minister’s pledge to scrap these fees “as soon as possible”.
On 21 May, Boris Johnson said that the £400 annual fee paid by non-EU migrants to use the NHS – on top of other mounting visa costs – should be removed for health and care workers.
Read the full story on The Guardian
…………………………………………..
Indian journalists targeted for coronavirus reporting
Aljazeera says at least 55 journalists faced arrest, physical assaults, alleged destruction of properties and threats for reporting on COVID-19 or exercising freedom of opinion and expression during India’s lockdown from 25 March to 31 May 2020.
“India has become the riskiest place for the journalist in the world,” Suhas Chakma said.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
A quick look at the other top stories from around the world
Atlanta police release bodycam footage leading up to the death of Rayshard Brookes
Fox News says the Atlanta Police Department has released officer bodycam and dashcam video of the events leading up to the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks on Friday night.
Russia sentences former US marine to 16 years in prison for espionage
Euronews says a Russian court sentenced Paul Whelan, an American and British citizen to 16 years in prison for espionage, the US ambassador said outside a Moscow courthouse.
Whelan, a former US marine, was arrested in a Russian hotel on December 28. Whelan said he had been set up when he was handed a flash drive with classified information on it.
Morroco’s King Mohammad VI undergoes successful heart operation
AfricaNews says
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI “on Sunday successfully underwent” a heart operation at the clinic of the Royal Palace in Rabat after a “recurrence of heart rhythm disorder such as atrial flutter,” his medical team announced.
Israel greenlights illegal ‘Trump’ settlement in Golan Heights
Aljazeera says an Israeli cabinet minister said the government has approved plans to build a new illegal settlement in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights named after President Trump.
