Lost frescoes to greet visitors when Italy's Uffizi reopens
MILAN (AP) — Recently discovered frescoes will greet visitors to Florence’s Uffizi Galleries when the museum reopens after months of being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Merkel defends lobbying for Wirecard on 2019 China visit
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her lobbying for Wirecard during a 2019 visit to China, testifying before a parliamentary committee Friday that the payments company received no special treatment and that it was in Germany's interest to promote its businesses.
Japan issues 3rd virus emergency in Tokyo, Osaka area
TOKYO (AP) — Japan declared a third state of emergency for Tokyo and three western prefectures on Friday amid skepticism it will be enough to curb a rapid coronavirus resurgence just three months ahead of the Olympics.
UK sees budget deficit rise to highest rate since 1946
LONDON (AP) — Britain has seen its budget deficit rise during the coronavirus pandemic to its highest level since the year after the end of World War II, official figures showed Friday.
The Latest: Pakistani troops to help enforce distancing
ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan’s prime minister has summoned troops to help police implement social-distancing rules as a part of new measures aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus.
Asia Today: Thailand's new cases exceed 2,000, set record
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s health authorities announced Friday they have confirmed 2,070 new COVID-19 cases, a new daily record that brings the country's total to 50,183.
German diplomat says time is right for Serbia-Kosovo talks
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Germany’s foreign minister called Friday for the resumption of negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo on normalizing the relations between the former war foes whose unresolved territorial dispute has stalled efforts to achieve stability in the Balkans.
Global stocks mixed after Wall St falls on Biden tax report
BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets were mixed Friday after Wall Street fell following a report President Joe Biden will propose raising taxes on the wealthiest investors.
Indian hospitals plead for oxygen, country sets virus record
NEW DELHI (AP) — India put oxygen tankers on special express trains as major hospitals in New Delhi on Friday begged on social media for more supplies to save COVID-19 patients who are struggling to breathe. More than a dozen people died when an oxygen-fed fire ripped through a coronavirus ward in a populous western state.
Albania heads to polls after a bitter political fight
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania holds parliamentary elections on Sunday amid the virus pandemic and a bitter political rivalry between the country’s two largest political parties.
Worries grow about Indonesian sub's crew as oxygen dwindles
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian navy ships were scouring the waters off Bali on Friday as they raced against time to find a submarine that disappeared two days ago and has less than a day’s supply of oxygen left for its 53 crew.
Beyond the Pandemic: London's West End readies for next act
LONDON (AP) — Noah Thomas saw his name in lights, and then the lights went out.
China calls these Uyghur parents 'terrorists' without evidence. But they say they just want to be with their children again
Three Uyghur parents who publicly appealed to Beijing to let their children leave China have been accused, without evidence, of child abandonment and terrorism by the Chinese government.
In a fabled desert city, a decisive battle could determine Yemen's fate
Marib has the forlorn feel of a place awaiting its destiny, while embracing stoic and stubborn optimism.
Parents sue father accused of hiding Kristin Smart's body
LOS ANGLES (AP) — The parents of missing California college student Kristin Smart on Thursday sued the father of the man charged with killing their daughter nearly 25 years ago.
The Latest: Las Vegas strip clubs given OK to reopen May 1
LAS VEGAS — Topless dancers can shed coronavirus restrictions beginning next weekend in Las Vegas and get face-to-face with patrons again.
Mexico's drought reaches critical levels as lakes dry up
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Drought conditions now cover 85% of Mexico, and residents of the nation's central region said Thursday that lakes and reservoirs are simply drying up, including the country’s second-largest body of fresh water.
Mexican president pushes controversial reforestation plan
KOPOMA, México (AP) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador made a strong push Thursday for his oft-questioned tree-planting program, trying to get the United States on board to fund a massive expansion of the program into Central America as a way to stem migration.
Barcelona maintains support of Super League despite backlash
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The ill-fated Super League has enraged fans and troubled authorities while making allies of a pair of soccer's fiercest nemeses.
Polish legal body rejects prosecutor request to arrest judge
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A controversial disciplinary body within Poland's Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a prosecutor's request to arrest a judge who has become a symbol of resistance for those who believe judicial independence is threatened in the country.
Sahara's Polisario Front chief gets COVID treatment in Spain
MADRID (AP) — The man leading the Polisario Front in its fight for independence of Western Sahara is hospitalized in Spain for treatment of COVID-19, officials from Spain and the group said Thursday.
Stocks end lower after report on Biden's tax proposal
A report that President Biden will propose a hefty tax increase on the gains wealthy individuals reap from investments triggered a stock market sell-off Thursday afternoon that left indexes broadly lower.
World leaders pledge climate cooperation despite other rifts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The leaders of Russia and China put aside their raw-worded disputes with U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday long enough to pledge international cooperation on cutting climate-wrecking coal and petroleum emissions in a livestreamed summit showcasing America's return to the fight against global warming.
Olympic athletes promised legal support if they protest
GENEVA (AP) — Athletes who make political or social justice protests at the Tokyo Olympics were promised legal support Thursday by a global union and an activist group in Germany.
