News Headlines - 01 May 2020
▽Japan preparing to extend coronavirus emergency for about a month : The Asahi Shimbun
Japan is preparing to extend its state of emergency over the novel coronavirus, originally set to end on May 6, for about a month, government sources told Reuters on Thursday, even as some other countries begin to reopen after strict lockdowns.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters "it would be difficult to return to every-day life on May 7," adding that the country needed to "brace for a drawn-out battle."
▽Emperor Naruhito marks first year of reign - Japan Today
Emperor Naruhito on Friday marked one year since he ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, with he and Empress Masako searching for their role in modern times while continuing his parents' efforts to heal the wounds of war and disasters.
The past year has been full of celebrations and ceremonies associated with his enthronement, which marked the start of the new Reiwa imperial era, although in recent months the imperial couple have been forced to stay out of the public eye due to the new coronavirus epidemic.
▽Covid-19 lockdowns temper May Day rallies worldwide
Workers were forced to scale back May Day rallies around the world on Friday because of coronavirus lockdowns, although some pushed on with online events and others hit the streets in face masks.
▽Madonna: I tested positive for coronavirus antibodies - New York Daily News
Madonna is the new celebrity face of coronavirus.
The 61-year-old music icon revealed that she tested positive for coronavirus antibodies during her "quarantine diary" Instagram series on Thursday... A positive test result shows that a person's antibodies most likely resulted in "an infection with SARS-Cov-2 or possibly a related coronavirus."
As outlined in the earlier reports, disinformation, myths and misinformation continue to proliferate around the world, with potentially harmful consequences for public security, health and effective crisis communications. In this context, it is important to distinguish the very different forms of mis- and disinformation, as well as other forms of information manipulation. Not all, but some of this activity is linked to intentional and coordinated activities, often carried out by state or state sponsored actors.
