Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is likely to call a snap election after the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, a media report said, showing his resolve to push ahead with the Games despite the country's struggle to contain the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.

The government is considering crafting a new economic stimulus package before the expected snap election, the Asahi newspaper said on Thursday, citing several anonymous ruling party executives.

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"We're not examining a new stimulus package," the government's top spokesman Katsunobu Kato told a news conference on Thursday.

"But we see the need to revive the economy ... and hope to take necessary steps flexibly," he said, when asked about the chance of a possible new stimulus plan.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-newspaper-sponsoring-tokyo-olympics-urges-cancellation-387435">Japan newspaper sponsoring Tokyo Olympics urges cancellation</a>

Suga agreed on Wednesday with the head of his ruling coalition partner not to extend the current parliament session when it closes on June 16, according to media reports.

That means&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;will forgo compiling a supplementary budget for now and tap nearly 4 trillion yen ($36.50 billion) left in reserves to pay for immediate spending to combat the pandemic, the Asahi said.

The government's public relations official declined to comment on Asahi's report on Suga's election plan.

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"It's obvious we need an extra budget, but parliament is closing so we don't have time to pass it," ruling party lawmaker Shoji Nishida told Reuters last week.

"But there should be debate within the party on compiling another stimulus package and an extra budget," he said.

Suga has said he would focus on dealing with the pandemic, and that&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;will go ahead with the Games under strict virus-protection measures.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics-japan-looks-to-extend-covid-19-states-of-emergency-ahead-of-games-387932">Olympics: Japan looks to extend COVID-19 states of emergency ahead of Games</a>

Some ruling party lawmakers have called on the government to boost spending to revive an economy hit by new state of emergency curbs to prevent the spread of the virus.

Slow vaccine rollouts and strong public opposition to holding the Games have led to a plunge in Suga's support ratings, heightening uncertainty over his administration's fate.

With the Tokyo Olympic Games starting on July 23, the most likely scenario is for Suga to dissolve parliament after the Sept. 5 end of the Paralympic Games and call a snap election, the Asahi said.

($1 = 109.5900 yen)

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is likely to call a snap election after the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, a media report said, showing his resolve to push ahead with the Games despite the country's struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is likely to call a snap election after the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, a media report said, showing his resolve to push ahead with the Games despite the country's struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is considering crafting a new economic stimulus package before the expected snap election, the Asahi newspaper said on Thursday, citing several anonymous ruling party executives. Also Read | 10,000 Olympic volunteers quit ahead of Games: Organisers "We're not examining a new stimulus package," the government's top spokesman Katsunobu Kato told a news conference on Thursday. "But we see the need to revive the economy ... and hope to take necessary steps flexibly," he said, when asked about the chance of a possible new stimulus plan. Also Read | Japan newspaper sponsoring Tokyo Olympics urges cancellation Suga agreed on Wednesday with the head of his ruling coalition partner not to extend the current parliament session when it closes on June 16, according to media reports. That means Japan will forgo compiling a supplementary budget for now and tap nearly 4 trillion yen ($36.50 billion) left in reserves to pay for immediate spending to combat the pandemic, the Asahi said. The government's public relations official declined to comment on Asahi's report on Suga's election plan. Also Read | Tokyo 2020 chief rules out delay despite pandemic fears "It's obvious we need an extra budget, but parliament is closing so we don't have time to pass it," ruling party lawmaker Shoji Nishida told Reuters last week. "But there should be debate within the party on compiling another stimulus package and an extra budget," he said. Suga has said he would focus on dealing with the pandemic, and that Japan will go ahead with the Games under strict virus-protection measures. Also Read | Olympics: Japan looks to extend COVID-19 states of emergency ahead of Games Some ruling party lawmakers have called on the government to boost spending to revive an economy hit by new state of emergency curbs to prevent the spread of the virus. Slow vaccine rollouts and strong public opposition to holding the Games have led to a plunge in Suga's support ratings, heightening uncertainty over his administration's fate. With the Tokyo Olympic Games starting on July 23, the most likely scenario is for Suga to dissolve parliament after the Sept. 5 end of the Paralympic Games and call a snap election, the Asahi said. ($1 = 109.5900 yen)

Japan PM Suga likely to call snap election after Tokyo Olympic Games: Report

The head of a Japanese doctors' union warned on Tuesday that holding the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, with tens of thousands of people from around the world, could lead to the emergence of an "Olympic" strain of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/japans-tokyo-olympics-conundrum-worsens-amid-raging-pandemic-380850">Japan's Tokyo Olympics conundrum worsens amid raging pandemic</a>

Japan has pledged to hold a "safe and secure" 2020&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;in Tokyo after a year-long postponement but it is struggling to contain the fourth wave of infections and preparing to extend a state of emergency in much of the country.

Japanese officials,&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have all vowed the Games will go ahead, albeit under strict virus-prevention measures. Foreign spectators have been banned and a decision on domestic ones is expected next month.

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But even with those steps, worries remain about the influx of athletes and officials into Japan, where a vaccination drive remains glacially slow, with just over 5 per cent of the population having had a shot.

With people from more than 200 nations and territories set to arrive, the Games, due to begin in eight weeks, pose a danger, said Naoto Ueyama, head of the Japan Doctors Union.

"All of the different mutant strains of the virus which exist in different places will be concentrated and gathering here in Tokyo. We cannot deny the possibility of even a new strain of the virus potentially emerging," he told a news conference.

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"If such a situation were to arise, it could even mean a Tokyo Olympic strain of the virus being named in this way, which would be a huge tragedy and something which would be the target of criticism, even for 100 years."

But Kenji Shibuya, director of the Institute of Population Health at King’s College, London, who has recently been helping the vaccination campaign in Japan, played down dangers specific to the Games.

"Mutation takes place when virus stays in immunocompromised or partially immunised people for a long period of time," Shibuya said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-thinking-of-cancelling-the-olympics-says-tokyo-2020-chief-amid-surge-in-covid-infections-377930">Not thinking of cancelling the Olympics', says Tokyo 2020 chief amid surge in COVID infections</a>

"So the current situation in Japan is more dangerous than (during) the Tokyo Games, in my opinion."

State of Emergency

The Asahi Shimbun, an official partner of the Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics, carried an editorial on Wednesday urging the Games be cancelled, but former IOC vice president Dick Pound said later in the day the sports extravaganza should and would go ahead.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-newspaper-sponsoring-tokyo-olympics-urges-cancellation-387435">Japan newspaper sponsoring Tokyo Olympics urges cancellation</a>

The government is currently preparing to extend a state of emergency across much of the nation originally set to be lifted on May 31, most likely well into June, officials have said - just weeks before the Games are set to open on July 23.

But IOC member John Coates has said the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;could be held even under a state of emergency, an opinion Ueyama said was infuriating.

"In regards to these statements, the people of Japan are indeed holding great anger towards this, and this is even more the case for healthcare and medical professionals," Ueyama said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/citing-covid-risk-us-warns-against-travel-to-olympic-host-japan-387229">Citing Covid risk, US warns against travel to Olympic host Japan</a>

Earlier this week, the United States advised against travel to Japan, but&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;organisers have said this will not affect the Games. The White House on Wednesday said it had been assured by Japan's government that it will keep in close contact about concerns over the&nbsp;Olympics.

In a sign of how uncertain the situation remains, however, Australia's major sports leagues and Olympic hopefuls were left scrambling to make contingency plans after authorities announced a seven-day lockdown in the southern state of Victoria to contain a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne.

Chiba prefecture, which borders Tokyo, announced on Thursday that it was cancelling its stretch of the Olympic torch relay out of safety concerns, becoming the latest area to scale back events.

The head of a Japanese doctors' union warned on Tuesday that holding the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, with tens of thousands of people from around the world, could lead to the emergence of an "Olympic" strain of the coronavirus.

The head of a Japanese doctors' union warned on Tuesday that holding the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, with tens of thousands of people from around the world, could lead to the emergence of an "Olympic" strain of the coronavirus. Also Read | Japan's Tokyo Olympics conundrum worsens amid raging pandemic Japan has pledged to hold a "safe and secure" 2020 Olympics in Tokyo after a year-long postponement but it is struggling to contain the fourth wave of infections and preparing to extend a state of emergency in much of the country. Japanese officials, Olympics organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have all vowed the Games will go ahead, albeit under strict virus-prevention measures. Foreign spectators have been banned and a decision on domestic ones is expected next month. Also Read | Overseas fans barred from Tokyo Olympics over virus fears But even with those steps, worries remain about the influx of athletes and officials into Japan, where a vaccination drive remains glacially slow, with just over 5 per cent of the population having had a shot. With people from more than 200 nations and territories set to arrive, the Games, due to begin in eight weeks, pose a danger, said Naoto Ueyama, head of the Japan Doctors Union. "All of the different mutant strains of the virus which exist in different places will be concentrated and gathering here in Tokyo. We cannot deny the possibility of even a new strain of the virus potentially emerging," he told a news conference. Also Read | Osaka wants 'discussion' on Olympics amid virus surge in Japan "If such a situation were to arise, it could even mean a Tokyo Olympic strain of the virus being named in this way, which would be a huge tragedy and something which would be the target of criticism, even for 100 years." But Kenji Shibuya, director of the Institute of Population Health at King’s College, London, who has recently been helping the vaccination campaign in Japan, played down dangers specific to the Games. "Mutation takes place when virus stays in immunocompromised or partially immunised people for a long period of time," Shibuya said. Also Read | Not thinking of cancelling the Olympics', says Tokyo 2020 chief amid surge in COVID infections "So the current situation in Japan is more dangerous than (during) the Tokyo Games, in my opinion." State of Emergency The Asahi Shimbun, an official partner of the Tokyo Olympics, carried an editorial on Wednesday urging the Games be cancelled, but former IOC vice president Dick Pound said later in the day the sports extravaganza should and would go ahead. Also Read | Japan newspaper sponsoring Tokyo Olympics urges cancellation The government is currently preparing to extend a state of emergency across much of the nation originally set to be lifted on May 31, most likely well into June, officials have said - just weeks before the Games are set to open on July 23. But IOC member John Coates has said the Olympics could be held even under a state of emergency, an opinion Ueyama said was infuriating. "In regards to these statements, the people of Japan are indeed holding great anger towards this, and this is even more the case for healthcare and medical professionals," Ueyama said. Also Read | Citing Covid risk, US warns against travel to Olympic host Japan Earlier this week, the United States advised against travel to Japan, but Olympics organisers have said this will not affect the Games. The White House on Wednesday said it had been assured by Japan's government that it will keep in close contact about concerns over the Olympics. In a sign of how uncertain the situation remains, however, Australia's major sports leagues and Olympic hopefuls were left scrambling to make contingency plans after authorities announced a seven-day lockdown in the southern state of Victoria to contain a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne. Chiba prefecture, which borders Tokyo, announced on Thursday that it was cancelling its stretch of the Olympic torch relay out of safety concerns, becoming the latest area to scale back events.

Tokyo Games could lead to "Olympic virus" strain, Japanese doctor warns

Japan's Naomi Osaka stunned the&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;world on Monday by withdrawing from the French Open after deciding to boycott post-match media duties, explaining she had been suffering from depression for almost three years.

Osaka said in the build-up to the tournament that she would not attend the obligatory press conferences for players after matches, saying the questioning by journalists impacts her mental well-being.

The four-time Grand Slam champion made good on her threat on Sunday when, after winning her first-round match, she did not hold a press conference.

She was fined $15,000 by the Roland Garros referee, and Grand Slam organizers later issued a strongly worded statement warning of possible expulsion from the French Open and future majors if she failed to change her stance.

On Monday, world No. 2 decided to take matters into her own hands to end the stand-off.

"This isn't a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago," the 23-year-old Osaka said on Twitter.

"I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;going on in Paris.

"I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer."

Osaka, one of the biggest names in women's sport, went on to say she had suffered from depression since 2018.

"The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the U.S. Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that," she said.

"Anyone that knows me knows I'm introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I'm often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety."

The French&nbsp;Tennis&nbsp;Federation (FFT), organizers of the tournament, called her withdrawal "unfortunate."

Reading from a prepared statement at a news conference, FFT president Gilles Moretton said: "We are sorry and sad for Naomi Osaka... we wish her the best and quickest possible recovery, and we look forward to having Naomi at our tournament next year. He added that the major&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;bodies were committed to athletes' well-being and improving their tournament experience, including their interaction with the media.

The Women's&nbsp;Tennis&nbsp;Association (WTA) said mental health was one of the highest priorities of the organization. "We remain here to support and assist Naomi in any way possible and we hope to see her back on the court soon," it said in a statement.

After beating Serena Williams to claim her first major at the 2018 U.S. Open, Osaka was booed by the crowd during the presentation ceremony as her victory was overshadowed by the American's outburst following a row with the umpire.

Osaka said that since then, she has struggled with being in the spotlight. On Monday, Osaka said she suffers "huge waves of anxiety" before speaking to the world's media.

Williams offered support to Osaka.

"The only thing I feel is that I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug," the 39-year-old American said after her first-round win. "Because I know what it's like. I've been in those positions."

American Sofia Kenin, who won the Australian Open and finished runner-up at Roland Garros last year, said dealing with the media demands of elite&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;was "definitely not easy" but it is what players "signed up for."

"There are expectations from the outside, sponsors, and everyone. You just have to somehow manage it. You have to have a good team around you who support you," the American said.

Osaka, who according to sports business website Sportico earned $55.2 million over the past 12 months, added that she would take some time away from&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;and hoped later to meet the sport's organizers to improve the system.

"I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the slams are intense," Osaka said.

"I'm gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right, I really want to work with the tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press, and fans."

Japan's Naomi Osaka stunned the tennis world on Monday by withdrawing from the French Open after deciding to boycott post-match media duties, explaining she had been suffering from depression for almost three years.

Japan's Naomi Osaka stunned the tennis world on Monday by withdrawing from the French Open after deciding to boycott post-match media duties, explaining she had been suffering from depression for almost three years. Osaka said in the build-up to the tournament that she would not attend the obligatory press conferences for players after matches, saying the questioning by journalists impacts her mental well-being. The four-time Grand Slam champion made good on her threat on Sunday when, after winning her first-round match, she did not hold a press conference. She was fined $15,000 by the Roland Garros referee, and Grand Slam organizers later issued a strongly worded statement warning of possible expulsion from the French Open and future majors if she failed to change her stance. On Monday, world No. 2 decided to take matters into her own hands to end the stand-off. "This isn't a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago," the 23-year-old Osaka said on Twitter. "I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris. "I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer." Osaka, one of the biggest names in women's sport, went on to say she had suffered from depression since 2018. "The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the U.S. Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that," she said. "Anyone that knows me knows I'm introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I'm often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety." The French Tennis Federation (FFT), organizers of the tournament, called her withdrawal "unfortunate." Reading from a prepared statement at a news conference, FFT president Gilles Moretton said: "We are sorry and sad for Naomi Osaka... we wish her the best and quickest possible recovery, and we look forward to having Naomi at our tournament next year. He added that the major tennis bodies were committed to athletes' well-being and improving their tournament experience, including their interaction with the media. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) said mental health was one of the highest priorities of the organization. "We remain here to support and assist Naomi in any way possible and we hope to see her back on the court soon," it said in a statement. After beating Serena Williams to claim her first major at the 2018 U.S. Open, Osaka was booed by the crowd during the presentation ceremony as her victory was overshadowed by the American's outburst following a row with the umpire. Osaka said that since then, she has struggled with being in the spotlight. On Monday, Osaka said she suffers "huge waves of anxiety" before speaking to the world's media. Williams offered support to Osaka. "The only thing I feel is that I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug," the 39-year-old American said after her first-round win. "Because I know what it's like. I've been in those positions." American Sofia Kenin, who won the Australian Open and finished runner-up at Roland Garros last year, said dealing with the media demands of elite tennis was "definitely not easy" but it is what players "signed up for." "There are expectations from the outside, sponsors, and everyone. You just have to somehow manage it. You have to have a good team around you who support you," the American said. Osaka, who according to sports business website Sportico earned $55.2 million over the past 12 months, added that she would take some time away from tennis and hoped later to meet the sport's organizers to improve the system. "I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the slams are intense," Osaka said. "I'm gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right, I really want to work with the tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press, and fans."

Tennis: Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open in wake of row over media boycott

Beijing's office that oversees matters in Hong Kong has warned of threats made to a judge, who sentenced media tycoon Jimmy Lai and other democracy activists for their roles in an unauthorised assembly on October&nbsp;1, 2019. 
 
A representative for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) said the presiding judge had received threatening phone calls, which the office said would not be tolerated. 
 
"This is a serious threat to the personal safety of judges, a flagrant challenge to the judicial system in Hong Kong and a gross violation of the rule of law and order in Hong Kong," Xinhua quoted a statement by HKMAO as saying late on Sunday. 
 
The statement followed one by Hong Kong's Department of Justice late on Friday that said a judge had been intimidated, without providing details. 
 
On Friday, judge Amanda Woodcock sentenced Lai, an ardent critic of Beijing, to 14 months in jail, and nine others to up to 18 months for their roles in the rally. 
 
Hong Kong arrested more than 10,000 people over anti-government protests in 2019, and some of those cases are now making their way through the court system. 
 
The unrest led Beijing to impose a contentious national security law on its freest city in June 2020, and more than 100 people have been arrested under the law so far, including Lai. 
 
The law punishes what Beijing broadly defines as secession, sedition, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in jail. 
 
Forty-seven democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion are set to appear in court on Monday, in a case that has drawn criticism from Western governments and international rights groups. 
 
Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with a guarantee of a high degree of autonomy until 2047. Critics say authorities are chipping away at those freedoms, an assertion officials in Hong Kong and Beijing reject. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Beijing's office that oversees matters in Hong Kong has warned of threats made to a judge, who sentenced media tycoon Jimmy Lai and other democracy activists for their roles in an unauthorised assembly on October 1, 2019.

Beijing's office that oversees matters in Hong Kong has warned of threats made to a judge, who sentenced media tycoon Jimmy Lai and other democracy activists for their roles in an unauthorised assembly on October 1, 2019. A representative for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) said the presiding judge had received threatening phone calls, which the office said would not be tolerated. "This is a serious threat to the personal safety of judges, a flagrant challenge to the judicial system in Hong Kong and a gross violation of the rule of law and order in Hong Kong," Xinhua quoted a statement by HKMAO as saying late on Sunday. The statement followed one by Hong Kong's Department of Justice late on Friday that said a judge had been intimidated, without providing details. On Friday, judge Amanda Woodcock sentenced Lai, an ardent critic of Beijing, to 14 months in jail, and nine others to up to 18 months for their roles in the rally. Hong Kong arrested more than 10,000 people over anti-government protests in 2019, and some of those cases are now making their way through the court system. The unrest led Beijing to impose a contentious national security law on its freest city in June 2020, and more than 100 people have been arrested under the law so far, including Lai. The law punishes what Beijing broadly defines as secession, sedition, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in jail. Forty-seven democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion are set to appear in court on Monday, in a case that has drawn criticism from Western governments and international rights groups. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with a guarantee of a high degree of autonomy until 2047. Critics say authorities are chipping away at those freedoms, an assertion officials in Hong Kong and Beijing reject. (With inputs from agencies)

Beijing's Hong Kong office slams intimidation of judge in tycoon Jimmy Lai's case

Britain's health minister&nbsp;Matt&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;will face questions in the House of Commons on Thursday (May 27) after the prime minister's former top adviser Dominic Cummings said he should have been fired for lying in government meetings on COVID-19 .

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pms-ineptitude-led-to-tens-of-thousands-of-covid-deaths-says-ex-aide-387648">UK PM's ineptitude led to tens of thousands of Covid deaths, says ex-aide</a>

"I think that the Secretary of State for Health (Hancock), should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things including lying to everybody in multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the cabinet room and publicly," Cummings told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday (May 26).

Asked for an example, Cummings said&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;had said that all patients got the treatment they needed during the first peak of the virus. Cummings said that was contrary to briefings from the government's health experts, who had said some patients had not received necessary treatment.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-covid-disaster-to-be-laid-bare-by-pm-johnsons-ex-chief-adviser-dominic-cummings-387398">UK's Covid 'disaster' to be laid bare by PM Johnson's ex-chief adviser&nbsp;Dominic Cummings</a>

He also said&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;had told ministers that the supply of personal protective equipment was under control in April, but that had later proved not been the case. Cummings also said the country's top civil servant had told him he had lost confidence in&nbsp;Hancock's honesty.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-sceptic-boris-johnson-considered-injecting-himself-with-covid-says-former-aide-cummings-387473">Virus-sceptic Boris Johnson considered injecting himself with Covid, says former aide Cummings</a>

A spokesman for&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;rejected the extensive criticism from Cummings, saying he will continue to work supporting the National Health Service (NHS).

"We absolutely reject Mr. Cummings' claims about the Health Secretary," the spokesman said. "The Health Secretary will continue to work closely with the prime minister to deliver the vaccine rollout, tackle the risks posed by variants and support the NHS."

Britain's health minister Matt Hancock will face questions in the House of Commons on Thursday (May 27) after the prime minister's former top adviser Dominic Cummings said he should have been fired for lying in government meetings on COVID-19 .

Britain's health minister Matt Hancock will face questions in the House of Commons on Thursday (May 27) after the prime minister's former top adviser Dominic Cummings said he should have been fired for lying in government meetings on COVID-19 . Also Read | UK PM's ineptitude led to tens of thousands of Covid deaths, says ex-aide "I think that the Secretary of State for Health (Hancock), should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things including lying to everybody in multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the cabinet room and publicly," Cummings told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday (May 26). Asked for an example, Cummings said Hancock had said that all patients got the treatment they needed during the first peak of the virus. Cummings said that was contrary to briefings from the government's health experts, who had said some patients had not received necessary treatment. Also Read | UK's Covid 'disaster' to be laid bare by PM Johnson's ex-chief adviser Dominic Cummings He also said Hancock had told ministers that the supply of personal protective equipment was under control in April, but that had later proved not been the case. Cummings also said the country's top civil servant had told him he had lost confidence in Hancock's honesty. Also Read | Virus-sceptic Boris Johnson considered injecting himself with Covid, says former aide Cummings A spokesman for Hancock rejected the extensive criticism from Cummings, saying he will continue to work supporting the National Health Service (NHS). "We absolutely reject Mr. Cummings' claims about the Health Secretary," the spokesman said. "The Health Secretary will continue to work closely with the prime minister to deliver the vaccine rollout, tackle the risks posed by variants and support the NHS."

UK's health minister Hancock to face questions after Cummings brands him a liar

France on Wednesday appointed Laurence des Cars, known for promoting social issues through art, as the new head of the&nbsp;Louvre, the first time a woman will be in charge of the world's biggest&nbsp;museum&nbsp;more than two centuries after it first opened.

Des Cars currently runs the Musee d'Orsay, the Paris landmark&nbsp;museum&nbsp;dedicated to 19th-century art, where she is already the first-ever woman boss.

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Her legacy there includes boosting young visitor numbers and giving art and visitors more physical space.

During her four years at the Orsay, the 54-year old art historian has taken a stance on some controversial topics, including by coming out in favour of restituting works looted by Nazis.

"A great&nbsp;museum&nbsp;must face history, including by looking back at the history of our owns institutions," she told AFP in an interview in April.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-france-to-return-klimt-painting-looted-by-nazis-to-holocaust-victim-371134">France to return Klimt painting looted by Nazis to Holocaust victim</a>

She was instrumental in the French government's decision for the Orsay to hand back a Gustav Klimt painting, "Roses", to the heirs of its previous owner Nora Stiasny. The Nazis had stolen it from her in Vienna in 1938.

Under Des Cars's leadership, the&nbsp;museum's 2019 exhibition "Black Models: From Gericault to Matisse" explored racial and social issues through the representation of black figures in visual arts.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pariss-louvre-museum-closes-over-staff-coronavirus-fears-283741">Paris's Louvre museum closes over staff coronavirus fears</a>

A&nbsp;museum's shows should reflect "the big issues in society, and thus attract new generations" of visitors "of all ages and from all social-cultural backgrounds", she told AFP.

Des Cars, who comes from a family of writers and journalists, will in September succeed Jean-Luc Martinez, the current&nbsp;Louvre&nbsp;chief who is credited with making the&nbsp;museum&nbsp;more accessible and less elitist.

He was rewarded by a record annual visitor number of over 10 million in 2019 before COVID-19 restrictions reduced visits to a trickle.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-paris-louvre-museum-visitors-fell-by-three-quarters-in-2020-due-to-covid-crisis-355862">Paris' Louvre museum visitors fell by three quarters in 2020 due to COVID crisis</a>

The&nbsp;Louvre, best known as the home of the Mona Lisa, is the world's largest art&nbsp;museum.

It opened in 1793 in the aftermath of the French Revolution, with an exhibition of just over 500 paintings.

It now owns hundreds of thousands of pieces of art, with less than 10 per cent of the total on permanent display.

France on Wednesday appointed Laurence des Cars, known for promoting social issues through art, as the new head of the Louvre, the first time a woman will be in charge of the world's biggest museum more than two centuries after it first opened.

France on Wednesday appointed Laurence des Cars, known for promoting social issues through art, as the new head of the Louvre, the first time a woman will be in charge of the world's biggest museum more than two centuries after it first opened. Des Cars currently runs the Musee d'Orsay, the Paris landmark museum dedicated to 19th-century art, where she is already the first-ever woman boss. Also Read | Louis Vuitton journeys to fashion antiquity at the Louvre Her legacy there includes boosting young visitor numbers and giving art and visitors more physical space. During her four years at the Orsay, the 54-year old art historian has taken a stance on some controversial topics, including by coming out in favour of restituting works looted by Nazis. "A great museum must face history, including by looking back at the history of our owns institutions," she told AFP in an interview in April. Also Read | France to return Klimt painting looted by Nazis to Holocaust victim She was instrumental in the French government's decision for the Orsay to hand back a Gustav Klimt painting, "Roses", to the heirs of its previous owner Nora Stiasny. The Nazis had stolen it from her in Vienna in 1938. Under Des Cars's leadership, the museum's 2019 exhibition "Black Models: From Gericault to Matisse" explored racial and social issues through the representation of black figures in visual arts. Also Read | Paris's Louvre museum closes over staff coronavirus fears A museum's shows should reflect "the big issues in society, and thus attract new generations" of visitors "of all ages and from all social-cultural backgrounds", she told AFP. Des Cars, who comes from a family of writers and journalists, will in September succeed Jean-Luc Martinez, the current Louvre chief who is credited with making the museum more accessible and less elitist. He was rewarded by a record annual visitor number of over 10 million in 2019 before COVID-19 restrictions reduced visits to a trickle. Also Read | Paris' Louvre museum visitors fell by three quarters in 2020 due to COVID crisis The Louvre, best known as the home of the Mona Lisa, is the world's largest art museum. It opened in 1793 in the aftermath of the French Revolution, with an exhibition of just over 500 paintings. It now owns hundreds of thousands of pieces of art, with less than 10 per cent of the total on permanent display.

Laurence des Cars: World's biggest museum Louvre to have woman boss for first time in its history

The French city of&nbsp;Bordeaux&nbsp;will fast-track vaccinations for residents in one neighbourhood after nearly&nbsp;50&nbsp;people tested positive for a "very&nbsp;rare"&nbsp;variant&nbsp;of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, health authorities told AFP on Friday.

All adult residents of the city's northern Bacalan neighbourhood will be granted "unconditional" access to jabs, "this weekend or at worst early next week", said Patrick Dehail, medical advisor to the regional health authority.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-covid-19-caseload-tops-1676-mn-387421">Global COVID-19 caseload tops 167.6&nbsp;mn</a>

"We are working with the (health) ministry to obtain the&nbsp;extra&nbsp;doses required," Dehail said, adding that the boosted local effort will then be expanded to the wider&nbsp;Bordeaux&nbsp;area.

"We are talking about a&nbsp;variant&nbsp;that has already been identified at the national level but which has been&nbsp;very&nbsp;rare&nbsp;until now," he added.&nbsp;

At least 46 people have been infected with the&nbsp;variant&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Bordeaux&nbsp;neighbourhood, with mass&nbsp;testing&nbsp;launched Friday to track down further&nbsp;cases. None of those infected so far has been hospitalised.

Labelled VOC 20I/484Q, the strain is related to the British&nbsp;variant&nbsp;of COVID-19, but with an additional mutation.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-covid-19-virus-variants-respond-to-approved-vaccines-who-386258">All COVID-19 virus variants respond to approved vaccines: WHO</a>

This mutation, (E484K), is also carried by the South African and Brazilian variants and is suspected of reducing the immunity acquired by either past infection or by some vaccines.

However, Dehail said there was as yet "no reason" to suggest that the&nbsp;variant&nbsp;is resistant to mRNA vaccines such as those made by Pfizer or Moderna, or that it causes a more serious form of COVID-19.

The&nbsp;variant&nbsp;has been detected in the northern Paris region as well as&nbsp;Bordeaux&nbsp;in southwest&nbsp;France.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/for-coffee-paris-cafes-and-restaurants-reopen-after-covid-lockdown-386242">'For coffee!': Paris cafes and restaurants reopen after covid lockdown</a>

In&nbsp;France&nbsp;as a whole, vaccinations have so far been limited to the&nbsp;over-50s, although people outside this age group can book unused slots advertised at short notice. All adults will be eligible for vaccinations in&nbsp;France&nbsp;from May 31.

The French city of Bordeaux will fast-track vaccinations for residents in one neighbourhood after nearly 50 people tested positive for a "very rare" variant of COVID-19, health authorities told AFP on Friday.

The French city of Bordeaux will fast-track vaccinations for residents in one neighbourhood after nearly 50 people tested positive for a "very rare" variant of COVID-19, health authorities told AFP on Friday. All adult residents of the city's northern Bacalan neighbourhood will be granted "unconditional" access to jabs, "this weekend or at worst early next week", said Patrick Dehail, medical advisor to the regional health authority. Also Read | Global COVID-19 caseload tops 167.6 mn "We are working with the (health) ministry to obtain the extra doses required," Dehail said, adding that the boosted local effort will then be expanded to the wider Bordeaux area. "We are talking about a variant that has already been identified at the national level but which has been very rare until now," he added. At least 46 people have been infected with the variant in the Bordeaux neighbourhood, with mass testing launched Friday to track down further cases. None of those infected so far has been hospitalised. Labelled VOC 20I/484Q, the strain is related to the British variant of COVID-19, but with an additional mutation. Also Read | All COVID-19 virus variants respond to approved vaccines: WHO This mutation, (E484K), is also carried by the South African and Brazilian variants and is suspected of reducing the immunity acquired by either past infection or by some vaccines. However, Dehail said there was as yet "no reason" to suggest that the variant is resistant to mRNA vaccines such as those made by Pfizer or Moderna, or that it causes a more serious form of COVID-19. The variant has been detected in the northern Paris region as well as Bordeaux in southwest France. Also Read | 'For coffee!': Paris cafes and restaurants reopen after covid lockdown In France as a whole, vaccinations have so far been limited to the over-50s, although people outside this age group can book unused slots advertised at short notice. All adults will be eligible for vaccinations in France from May 31.

Covid in France: Race to vaccinate in Bordeaux as rare variant detected

Three unidentified masked men assaulted journalist Asad Toor at his home here, Geo News reported. 
 
Toor was later shifted to the hospital. The Islamabad police are investigating the incident.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-probe-opened-after-senior-journalist-critical-of-military-attacked-379077">Pakistan: Probe opened after senior journalist critical of military attacked</a>&nbsp; 
 
Closed-circuit television camera footage obtained by Geo News shows the suspects fleeing after assaulting the journalist. In the video, three suspects wearing masks can be seen leaving Toor`s apartment. 
 
The video also showed an injured Toor walking out of the apartment with his hands and feet tied, calling for help.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan's</a>&nbsp;Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry took notice of the incident and instructed the Islamabad SSP to investigate the attack.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-female-journalist-shaheena-shaheen-shot-dead-in-balochistan-325445">Pakistani female journalist Shaheena Shaheen shot dead in Balochistan</a> 
 
Attorney-General Khalid Javed Khan spoke to Geo News about the attack on Toor, saying that the federal capital is not a forest. 
 
"We are bringing a bill for the protection of journalists. Such incidents are intolerable," he said. 
 
He said the issue has been discussed with the home secretary and Islamabad IG. 
 
"Anyone involved in violence against journalists should be punished," Khan said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/another-journalist-goes-missing-in-pakistan-337596">Another journalist goes missing in Pakistan</a> 
 
The attack on journalist Asad Toor is reprehensible, said PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb. 
 
She said the government should ensure security for journalists instead of giving lectures on the protection of journalists. 
 
The government has failed to bring the accused to justice, Aurangzeb said. 
 
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto, too, condemned the attack on Toor.

Three unidentified masked men assaulted journalist Asad Toor at his home here, Geo News reported. Toor was later shifted to the hospital. The Islamabad police are investigating the incident.

Three unidentified masked men assaulted journalist Asad Toor at his home here, Geo News reported. Toor was later shifted to the hospital. The Islamabad police are investigating the incident. Also Read | Pakistan: Probe opened after senior journalist critical of military attacked Closed-circuit television camera footage obtained by Geo News shows the suspects fleeing after assaulting the journalist. In the video, three suspects wearing masks can be seen leaving Toor`s apartment. The video also showed an injured Toor walking out of the apartment with his hands and feet tied, calling for help. Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry took notice of the incident and instructed the Islamabad SSP to investigate the attack. Also Read | Pakistani female journalist Shaheena Shaheen shot dead in Balochistan Attorney-General Khalid Javed Khan spoke to Geo News about the attack on Toor, saying that the federal capital is not a forest. "We are bringing a bill for the protection of journalists. Such incidents are intolerable," he said. He said the issue has been discussed with the home secretary and Islamabad IG. "Anyone involved in violence against journalists should be punished," Khan said. Also Read | Another journalist goes missing in Pakistan The attack on journalist Asad Toor is reprehensible, said PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb. She said the government should ensure security for journalists instead of giving lectures on the protection of journalists. The government has failed to bring the accused to justice, Aurangzeb said. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto, too, condemned the attack on Toor.

Unidentified men attack Pakistani journalist Asad Toor in Islamabad

At least six people were killed and another 14 wounded by a bomb at a pro-Palestinian rally in a Pakistani city bordering Afghanistan on Friday, officials said, the latest violence to hit the restive area.

"It was an improvised explosive device which went off as participants began to disperse," said Tariq Mengal, a senior local administration official in Chaman, Balochistan province.&nbsp;

A second official confirmed the incident and toll.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-protesters-supporting-israel-palestinians-clash-in-new-york-386203">Watch: Protesters supporting Israel, Palestinians clash in New York</a>

Thousands of people rallied in support of the Palestinians across&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;Friday, hours after a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group which governs the Gaza Strip.

Friday's blast comes just weeks after a suicide bombing in the provincial capital of Quetta struck a luxury hotel&nbsp;where the Chinese ambassador was being hosted.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taliban-claim-deadly-blast-at-luxury-hotel-379329">Pakistan Taliban claim deadly blast at luxury hotel</a>

That attack was later claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.&nbsp;

Chaman has long served as a gateway for Afghan Taliban militants entering Afghanistan from their alleged shelters in Balochistan, where the group's leadership council is believed to be based.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-palestine-protesters-shut-down-israeli-drone-makers-factory-in-leicester-uk-386250">Pro-Palestine protesters shut down Israeli drone maker's factory in Leicester, UK</a>

Pakistan&nbsp;is fighting several low-level insurgencies in the impoverished province, waged by Islamist, separatist and sectarian groups.

Balochistan is&nbsp;Pakistan's largest and poorest province despite being rich in natural resources.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-quetta-blast-is-a-big-concern-for-chinas-ambitious-projects-379361">Why Quetta blast is a big concern for China's ambitious projects</a>&nbsp;

Resentment has been fuelled by billions of dollars of Chinese money flowing into the region through the China-Pakistan&nbsp;Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, which locals say gave them little benefit as most new jobs went to outsiders.

At least six people were killed and another 14 wounded by a bomb at a pro-Palestinian rally in a Pakistani city bordering Afghanistan on Friday, officials said, the latest violence to hit the restive area.

At least six people were killed and another 14 wounded by a bomb at a pro-Palestinian rally in a Pakistani city bordering Afghanistan on Friday, officials said, the latest violence to hit the restive area. "It was an improvised explosive device which went off as participants began to disperse," said Tariq Mengal, a senior local administration official in Chaman, Balochistan province. A second official confirmed the incident and toll. Also Read | Watch: Protesters supporting Israel, Palestinians clash in New York Thousands of people rallied in support of the Palestinians across Pakistan Friday, hours after a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group which governs the Gaza Strip. Friday's blast comes just weeks after a suicide bombing in the provincial capital of Quetta struck a luxury hotel where the Chinese ambassador was being hosted. Also Read | Pakistan Taliban claim deadly blast at luxury hotel That attack was later claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. Chaman has long served as a gateway for Afghan Taliban militants entering Afghanistan from their alleged shelters in Balochistan, where the group's leadership council is believed to be based. Also Read | Pro-Palestine protesters shut down Israeli drone maker's factory in Leicester, UK Pakistan is fighting several low-level insurgencies in the impoverished province, waged by Islamist, separatist and sectarian groups. Balochistan is Pakistan's largest and poorest province despite being rich in natural resources. Also Read | Why Quetta blast is a big concern for China's ambitious projects Resentment has been fuelled by billions of dollars of Chinese money flowing into the region through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, which locals say gave them little benefit as most new jobs went to outsiders.

Six killed in blast at pro-Palestinian rally in southwest Pakistan

The US wants to strengthen its relationship with&nbsp;Greenland, especially commercially, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, but stressed that they, unlike Donald Trump, don't want to buy it.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-confirms-interest-in-buying-greenland-243957">US President Donald Trump confirms interest in buying Greenland</a>

Blinken visited the Danish autonomous territory as he ended a four-day trip that included a meeting of the foreign ministers of countries bordering the Arctic in Reykjavik.

"I am in&nbsp;Greenland&nbsp;because the United States deeply values our partnership and wants to make it even stronger," Antony Blinken told reporters on his final stop of the Arctic tour.

Last year, the US reopened a consulate in&nbsp;Greenland's capital Nuuk and pledged $12 million in aid for civilian projects.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-donald-trump-wants-to-buy-greenland-244206">Why Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland</a>

While he spoke of potential additional funding, Blinken was vague about new US projects, even though the new Greenlandic local government had floated the idea of a free trade agreement earlier in the week.

"We would like to find ways to strengthen even more the commercial relationship," Blinken said.

The then US president Donald Trump's 2019 proposal to buy the Arctic territory, described as "absurd" by the Danish government, caused a diplomatic kerfuffle but meanwhile signalled in clear terms the US' renewed interest in the region.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greenland-tells-trump-it-is-open-for-business-but-not-for-sale-243427">Greenland tells US President Donald Trump it is open for business but not for sale</a>

Asked whether the US had definitively ruled out any plans to buy&nbsp;Greenland, Blinken replied with a smile: "I can confirm that's correct."

Greenlandic new young Prime Minister Mute Egede, who came to power in April, said he was "convinced that this decade will be the beginning of a new era in the relationship between our countries."

The left-wing government, which won snap parliamentary elections last month, is allied with a small pro-independence party, Naleraq, which has shown itself to be in favour of mending ties with the US.

The US wants to strengthen its relationship with Greenland, especially commercially, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, but stressed that they, unlike Donald Trump, don't want to buy it.

The US wants to strengthen its relationship with Greenland, especially commercially, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, but stressed that they, unlike Donald Trump, don't want to buy it. Also Read | US President Donald Trump confirms interest in buying Greenland Blinken visited the Danish autonomous territory as he ended a four-day trip that included a meeting of the foreign ministers of countries bordering the Arctic in Reykjavik. "I am in Greenland because the United States deeply values our partnership and wants to make it even stronger," Antony Blinken told reporters on his final stop of the Arctic tour. Last year, the US reopened a consulate in Greenland's capital Nuuk and pledged $12 million in aid for civilian projects. Also Read | Why Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland While he spoke of potential additional funding, Blinken was vague about new US projects, even though the new Greenlandic local government had floated the idea of a free trade agreement earlier in the week. "We would like to find ways to strengthen even more the commercial relationship," Blinken said. The then US president Donald Trump's 2019 proposal to buy the Arctic territory, described as "absurd" by the Danish government, caused a diplomatic kerfuffle but meanwhile signalled in clear terms the US' renewed interest in the region. Also Read | Greenland tells US President Donald Trump it is open for business but not for sale Asked whether the US had definitively ruled out any plans to buy Greenland, Blinken replied with a smile: "I can confirm that's correct." Greenlandic new young Prime Minister Mute Egede, who came to power in April, said he was "convinced that this decade will be the beginning of a new era in the relationship between our countries." The left-wing government, which won snap parliamentary elections last month, is allied with a small pro-independence party, Naleraq, which has shown itself to be in favour of mending ties with the US.

US wants 'stronger' ties with Greenland without buying it, assures Blinken

'Blood-soaked' naked activists protest against meat consumption in Spain

In pictures: Indonesia backs Gaza as Israel pounds back

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