Post-pandemic: tourists return to Japan after more than two years

Today's headlines: WHO panel denounces China's omissions on pandemic origin investigation; Malaysia abolishes death penalty; Indian opposition seeks sole candidate for the country's presidency;  Gaza once again has a clean, swimmable sea; Despite having fed to Israel, Moscow's chief rabbi is confirmed in his post.

JAPAN

The country is reopening to tourism after closures following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Japan's borders are open to visitors from 100 countries, albeit with severe restrictions, such as the requirement to wear masks everywhere, take out health insurance and be part of an organised tour.

CHINA

Investigations into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic have come to nothing, largely because the Chinese authorities have failed to provide the necessary data. This was stated by the special working group mandated by the World Health Organisation. Above all, there is a lack of information on the contagions that occurred in Wuhan in December 2019, at the start of the health emergency.

MALAYSIA

The Malaysian government has decided to abolish the death penalty, which will be replaced by other forms of punishment at the discretion of the courts. Currently, executions are planned for murder, drug trafficking, terrorism, kidnapping and possession of firearms.

INDIA

Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi has opened discussions with the other main opposition forces to the Modi government to find a single candidate for the country's presidency. The talks include the Tamil party Dmk, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Communist (Marxist) Party. The parliamentary vote will be held on 18 July.

GAZA-PALESTINE

For the first time in several years, the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip have a clean, swimmable sea. This was achieved thanks to the use of new sewage treatment facilities, financed by the international community.

RUSSIA

After the flight of Moscow Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who was opposed to the war in Ukraine and is now in Israel, the Moscow 'choral' synagogue held the official meeting of the local Jewish community, confirming Goldschmidt and all his main collaborators in office.

TAJIKISTAN

The Tajik government has decided to limit the use of the dollar as much as possible in international transactions, in order to favour the import of basic necessities and some commodities from abroad, to be purchased in roubles or yuan. This is part of the anti-crisis plan to counter the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine.

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