Italy's government has signed a decree that will allow travel to and from the country from 3 June, as it moves to ease its coronavirus lockdown measures.

French drugmaker Sanofi said on Thursday it would ensure a future vaccine against Covid-19 reaches all regions of the world at the same time, a day after its CEO angered the French government by saying the US would enjoy priority access.

Pharmaceutical giant Sanofi should not give the US first access to its Covid-19 vaccine, Secretary of State for Economy Agnes Pannier-Runacher has said, urging that the firm make the treatment available to all countries.

Italy’s mafia has worked out how to profit from the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crash. From offering opportunistic social aid and usurious loans to new business investments, the mafia is all set to exploit the vulnerable.

From immunity passports to pre-boarding tests, there will be many challenges facing travellers to and from the US once the lockdown ends

The Covid-19 outbreak found China uniquely positioned for a global soft power grab with its “mask diplomacy” supply of medical equipment. But then a drip of anti-Beijing headlines followed by an aggressive diplomatic onslaught unravelled the gains. The race for world power dominance is now up for grabs.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says her country must remain "clever and cautious" in handling the coronavirus crisis, as "it's not the end phase but still just the beginning".

Industry experts are warning about the losses at all levels in the industry, with small, low-cost airlines and many in the cruise industry unlikely to survive.

The EU is facing the biggest trial in its history, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned, urging impatient citizens to put aside thoughts of ending coronavirus-related restrictions and focus on survival as a bloc.

There are fewer and fewer countries that are reporting no coronavirus cases around the world as infections approach one million across the globe.

Germany has reported over 53,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 397 deaths.

Coronavirus has killed more people in Italy than in any other country, after deaths there rose by 427 in a day.

Europe has now suffered more deaths from coronavirus than the whole of Asia, according to a new AFP tally, signalling that the pandemic could be spiralling out of control in the West as China finally manages to contain the virus.

Brussels wants to introduce a 30-day restriction on all non-essential travel into the European Union in a bid to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus cases in Spain have risen by 1,500 to more than 5,700, public health officials say.

The flight restrictions on much of Europe were set to start at midnight Friday.

Donald Trump raised eyebrows when he announced a Europe travel ban, but then exempted the UK. Britain may not be in the EU, but it’s still in Europe.

The president announced a travel ban for Europe and three new economic policies.

Mass gatherings have been banned in Switzerland and tourists are cancelling their Roman holidays as the deadly coronavirus spreads across Europe.

Low-skilled workers would not get visas under post-Brexit immigration plans unveiled by the government.