Novelist Haruki Murakami criticises Japan PM over Covid

Tokyo: Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami on Sunday criticised the country’s PM, saying Yoshihide Suga has ignored Covid surge and concerns about the pandemic. Murakami quoted Suga’s comment that “an exit is now in our sight after a long tunnel”. “If he really saw an exit, his eyes must be extremely good for his age. I’m of the same age as Mr Suga, but I don’t see any exit at all,” said Murakami, 72. AP

Egypt frees reporter, activist, YouTube star

Cairo: Egypt has released YouTuber Shadi Srour, journalist Shaimaa Sami and activist Ziyad Aboel-Fadel after they spent months in pre-trail detention, two lawyers said on Monday. It was the latest in a series of recent releases amid concerns by the US over harassment of critics of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s government. AP

Robbers escape with hostages atop cars

Rio de Janeiro: Bank robbers armed with explosives and high-powered rifles plunged a city in Sao Paulo state’s interior into terror early Monday, taking civilians hostage and even putting some on their cars while making their escape. A hostage stood with his torso protruding from an SUV’s sunroof and his hands held in the air. AP