United States MADRID (Reuters) - Spain’s health ministry revised the country’s coronavirus death toll down by nearly 2,000 to 26,834 on Monday after checking data provided by regions. The total number of cases recorded since the outbreak began has also been revised down, and is now 235,400 — 372 fewer than on Sunday, it said. Just 50 people died of the virus over the past week, it added, a marked fall from previous weeks. The total number of deaths, has now been rising by less than 100 a day for over a week, compared with a peak of 950 in early April. The daily numbers often include people...…United States MADRID (Reuters) - Spain’s health ministry revised the country’s coronavirus death toll down by nearly 2,000 to 26,834 on Monday after checking data provided by regions. The total number of cases recorded since the outbreak began has also been revised down, and is now 235,400 — 372 fewer than on Sunday, it said. Just 50 people died of the virus over the past week, it added, a marked fall from previous weeks. The total number of deaths, has now been rising by less than 100 a day for over a week, compared with a peak of 950 in early April. The daily numbers often include people...WW…

United Kingdom SÃO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - In mid-March, Brazil took what seemed to be a forceful early strike against the coronavirus pandemic. The Health Ministry mandated that cruises be canceled. It advised local authorities to scrap large-scale events. And it urged travelers arriving from abroad to go into isolation for a week. Although Brazil had yet to report a single death from COVID-19, public health officials appeared to be getting out in front of the virus. They acted on March 13, just two days after the World Health Organization called the disease a pandemic. Less than...…United Kingdom SÃO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - In mid-March, Brazil took what seemed to be a forceful early strike against the coronavirus pandemic. The Health Ministry mandated that cruises be canceled. It advised local authorities to scrap large-scale events. And it urged travelers arriving from abroad to go into isolation for a week. Although Brazil had yet to report a single death from COVID-19, public health officials appeared to be getting out in front of the virus. They acted on March 13, just two days after the World Health Organization called the disease a pandemic. Less than...WW…

United States MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has begun building a prototype of its first stealth bomber which should be completed next year, the state-controlled TASS news agency reported on Tuesday, citing two sources in the military-industrial complex. When completed and operational, the new plane will be able to carry an array of advanced missiles and bombs, including hypersonic weapons, TASS said. The aircraft, known as the PAK DA, will compete with the U.S. B-2 strategic stealth bomber which entered service in 1997. China is also developing its own stealth bomber - the Xian H-20. Russia has...…United States MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has begun building a prototype of its first stealth bomber which should be completed next year, the state-controlled TASS news agency reported on Tuesday, citing two sources in the military-industrial complex. When completed and operational, the new plane will be able to carry an array of advanced missiles and bombs, including hypersonic weapons, TASS said. The aircraft, known as the PAK DA, will compete with the U.S. B-2 strategic stealth bomber which entered service in 1997. China is also developing its own stealth bomber - the Xian H-20. Russia has...WW…

United States HONG KONG (Reuters) - Demand for virtual private networks in Hong Kong surged more than six-fold last Thursday as Beijing proposed tough new national security laws for the financial hub, reflecting concerns over internet privacy, according to a VPN provider. Atlas VPN said installations of the tool that helps people bypass web restrictions surged again on Friday, up more than three-fold from the previous day, while search interest in the keyword term “VPN” rocketed 1,680% on May 21 from a day earlier. Search interest in the word “VPN” hit a record high on Friday, it added,...…United States HONG KONG (Reuters) - Demand for virtual private networks in Hong Kong surged more than six-fold last Thursday as Beijing proposed tough new national security laws for the financial hub, reflecting concerns over internet privacy, according to a VPN provider. Atlas VPN said installations of the tool that helps people bypass web restrictions surged again on Friday, up more than three-fold from the previous day, while search interest in the keyword term “VPN” rocketed 1,680% on May 21 from a day earlier. Search interest in the word “VPN” hit a record high on Friday, it added,...WW…

United States LONDON (Reuters) - Junior minister Douglas Ross resigned from the British government on Tuesday over the handling of accusations that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s senior adviser had broken the coronavirus lockdown by travelling for help with childcare. Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s closest aide, refused to resign on Monday, saying he had done nothing wrong by driving 250 miles to northern England when Britain was under a strict lockdown. Johnson’s defence of Cummings, a key figure in his successful campaign to leave the European Union, has stirred anger in his Conservative...…United States LONDON (Reuters) - Junior minister Douglas Ross resigned from the British government on Tuesday over the handling of accusations that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s senior adviser had broken the coronavirus lockdown by travelling for help with childcare. Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s closest aide, refused to resign on Monday, saying he had done nothing wrong by driving 250 miles to northern England when Britain was under a strict lockdown. Johnson’s defence of Cummings, a key figure in his successful campaign to leave the European Union, has stirred anger in his Conservative...WW…

United States BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing’s planned national security legislation for Hong Kong is set to block its foreign judges from handling national security trials, people familiar with the matter said, which would exacerbate concerns about the city’s judicial independence. Having lost patience with Hong Kong’s failure to adopt national security legislation on its own, China announced on Thursday that it would directly enact laws to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city. The legislation, which the sources said remains subject to change, would...…United States BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing’s planned national security legislation for Hong Kong is set to block its foreign judges from handling national security trials, people familiar with the matter said, which would exacerbate concerns about the city’s judicial independence. Having lost patience with Hong Kong’s failure to adopt national security legislation on its own, China announced on Thursday that it would directly enact laws to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city. The legislation, which the sources said remains subject to change, would...WW…

United States WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday it was deeply concerned that China’s proposed national security legislation on Hong Kong could undermine its autonomy under the “one country, two systems” framework, and urged Beijing to de-escalate the situation. In a statement, the largest U.S. business group said it would be “a serious mistake” to jeopardize Hong Kong’s special status, which was fundamental to its role as an attractive investment destination and financial hub. It also urged the U.S. government to maintain constructive ties with Hong Kong,...…United States WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday it was deeply concerned that China’s proposed national security legislation on Hong Kong could undermine its autonomy under the “one country, two systems” framework, and urged Beijing to de-escalate the situation. In a statement, the largest U.S. business group said it would be “a serious mistake” to jeopardize Hong Kong’s special status, which was fundamental to its role as an attractive investment destination and financial hub. It also urged the U.S. government to maintain constructive ties with Hong Kong,...WW…

United States SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China’s health tracking QR codes, which have played a key part in the country’s successful containment of the coronavirus, now look set to play a much broader role in daily life as local authorities dream up new uses for the technology. Embedded in the popular WeChat and Alipay smartphone apps, the codes use self-reported and automatically collected travel and medical data to give people a red, yellow or green rating indicating the likelihood of having the virus. To walk around freely, people in China must have a green rating and since February they have...…United States SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China’s health tracking QR codes, which have played a key part in the country’s successful containment of the coronavirus, now look set to play a much broader role in daily life as local authorities dream up new uses for the technology. Embedded in the popular WeChat and Alipay smartphone apps, the codes use self-reported and automatically collected travel and medical data to give people a red, yellow or green rating indicating the likelihood of having the virus. To walk around freely, people in China must have a green rating and since February they have...WW…

United States BENGALURU (Reuters) - India’s economy is likely to have expanded at its slowest pace in at least eight years in the January-March quarter, partly as a result of the coronavirus clampdown, a Reuters poll predicted. Asia’s third-largest economy began slowing last year, but a countrywide lockdown implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25 halted economic activity completely. “Activity in January and February was strong, but the slowdown in March is likely to have largely offset those gains,” Aayushi Chaudhary, an economist at HSBC in Mumbai, said. The poll of 52...…United States BENGALURU (Reuters) - India’s economy is likely to have expanded at its slowest pace in at least eight years in the January-March quarter, partly as a result of the coronavirus clampdown, a Reuters poll predicted. Asia’s third-largest economy began slowing last year, but a countrywide lockdown implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25 halted economic activity completely. “Activity in January and February was strong, but the slowdown in March is likely to have largely offset those gains,” Aayushi Chaudhary, an economist at HSBC in Mumbai, said. The poll of 52...WW…

United States TOKYO (Reuters) - Children under the age of two shouldn’t wear masks because they can make breathing difficult and increase the risk of choking, a Japan medical group said, launching an urgent appeal to parents as the country reopens from the coronavirus crisis. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted a state of emergency for Tokyo and four remaining areas on Monday after the number of infections fell across Japan, but warned that it could be reimposed if the virus started spreading again. To prevent the virus spread, health experts worldwide are recommending people wear masks when...…United States TOKYO (Reuters) - Children under the age of two shouldn’t wear masks because they can make breathing difficult and increase the risk of choking, a Japan medical group said, launching an urgent appeal to parents as the country reopens from the coronavirus crisis. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted a state of emergency for Tokyo and four remaining areas on Monday after the number of infections fell across Japan, but warned that it could be reimposed if the virus started spreading again. To prevent the virus spread, health experts worldwide are recommending people wear masks when...WW…

United States (Reuters) - The Red Cross called for an end to cyberattacks on healthcare and medical research facilities during the coronavirus pandemic, in a letter published Tuesday and signed by a group of political and business figures. Such attacks endanger human lives and governments must take “immediate and decisive action” to stop them, the letter stated. “We are hoping that the world’s governments will step up to affirm their commitments to the international rules that prohibit such actions,” said Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, in the...…United States (Reuters) - The Red Cross called for an end to cyberattacks on healthcare and medical research facilities during the coronavirus pandemic, in a letter published Tuesday and signed by a group of political and business figures. Such attacks endanger human lives and governments must take “immediate and decisive action” to stop them, the letter stated. “We are hoping that the world’s governments will step up to affirm their commitments to the international rules that prohibit such actions,” said Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, in the...WW…

United States LONDON (Reuters) - Opening up pubs, restaurants and bars after the coronavirus lockdown is difficult and so there will be no standing at the bar in pubs for a long time, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said on Tuesday. “It’s going to be more difficult with pubs, restaurants and bars in full,” Gove told LBC Radio. “What I hope we may be able to see is people being able to have outdoor hospitality, so that you can enjoy a drink in the garden of a pub or eat outdoors in a cafe.” “I think it’s going to be very very difficult for us to return to any of us standing at the bar...…United States LONDON (Reuters) - Opening up pubs, restaurants and bars after the coronavirus lockdown is difficult and so there will be no standing at the bar in pubs for a long time, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said on Tuesday. “It’s going to be more difficult with pubs, restaurants and bars in full,” Gove told LBC Radio. “What I hope we may be able to see is people being able to have outdoor hospitality, so that you can enjoy a drink in the garden of a pub or eat outdoors in a cafe.” “I think it’s going to be very very difficult for us to return to any of us standing at the bar...WW…

United States COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark eased its border controls with other Nordic countries and Germany on Monday, allowing cross-border couples separated by the coronavirus lockdown to meet again if they can prove they have been in a relationship for at least six months. The government said that within a couple of days, partners of residents of Denmark living across one of its borders would be asked to produce a written declaration to be granted entry. “If you say, you are in a relationship and put it in writing, that is enough,” Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup told local...…United States COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark eased its border controls with other Nordic countries and Germany on Monday, allowing cross-border couples separated by the coronavirus lockdown to meet again if they can prove they have been in a relationship for at least six months. The government said that within a couple of days, partners of residents of Denmark living across one of its borders would be asked to produce a written declaration to be granted entry. “If you say, you are in a relationship and put it in writing, that is enough,” Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup told local...WW…

United Kingdom NEW CASTLE, Delaware (Reuters) - Former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday made his first public appearance outside his Delaware home since quarantining himself due to the coronavirus pandemic 10 weeks ago, visiting a nearby veterans memorial to mark the U.S. Memorial Day holiday. Biden, the prospective Democratic presidential nominee, and his wife, Jill, both wearing black masks, laid a wreath of white roses at the memorial for U.S. military personnel who fought in World War Two and the Korean War. “It feels good to be out of my house,” Biden told reporters, his speech...…United Kingdom NEW CASTLE, Delaware (Reuters) - Former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday made his first public appearance outside his Delaware home since quarantining himself due to the coronavirus pandemic 10 weeks ago, visiting a nearby veterans memorial to mark the U.S. Memorial Day holiday. Biden, the prospective Democratic presidential nominee, and his wife, Jill, both wearing black masks, laid a wreath of white roses at the memorial for U.S. military personnel who fought in World War Two and the Korean War. “It feels good to be out of my house,” Biden told reporters, his speech...WW…

United States FRANKFURT/BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany threw Lufthansa () a 9 billion euro ($9.8 billion) lifeline on Monday, agreeing a bailout which gives Berlin a veto in the event of a hostile bid for the airline. The largest German corporate rescue since the coronavirus crisis struck will see the government get a 20% stake, which could rise to 25% plus one share in the event of a takeover attempt, as it seeks to protect thousands of jobs. Lufthansa has been locked in talks with Berlin for weeks over aid it needs to survive an expected protracted travel slump, with the airline wrangling...…United States FRANKFURT/BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany threw Lufthansa () a 9 billion euro ($9.8 billion) lifeline on Monday, agreeing a bailout which gives Berlin a veto in the event of a hostile bid for the airline. The largest German corporate rescue since the coronavirus crisis struck will see the government get a 20% stake, which could rise to 25% plus one share in the event of a takeover attempt, as it seeks to protect thousands of jobs. Lufthansa has been locked in talks with Berlin for weeks over aid it needs to survive an expected protracted travel slump, with the airline wrangling...WW…

United States BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Air Canada’s () bid for Canadian tour operator Transat AT Inc () may result in higher prices and less choice for flights between Europe and Canada, EU antitrust regulators said on Monday as they opened a full-scale investigation into the deal. Shares of Transat closed down about 7% at C$7 on Monday. Montreal-based Air Canada is hoping Transat will boost its leisure travel business and help it better compete with rival WestJet Airlines WJA.TO. The European Commission said the deal could significantly reduce competition on 33 routes between Europe and...…United States BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Air Canada’s () bid for Canadian tour operator Transat AT Inc () may result in higher prices and less choice for flights between Europe and Canada, EU antitrust regulators said on Monday as they opened a full-scale investigation into the deal. Shares of Transat closed down about 7% at C$7 on Monday. Montreal-based Air Canada is hoping Transat will boost its leisure travel business and help it better compete with rival WestJet Airlines WJA.TO. The European Commission said the deal could significantly reduce competition on 33 routes between Europe and...WW…

United Kingdom AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Mink with the coronavirus have infected two people in the Netherlands in what are probably the first such cases of transmission during the epidemic, government and health authorities said on Monday. Mink carrying the virus were found on four of the 155 farms in the country where they are bred for their fur, Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten said in a letter to parliament that detailed the two cases. She said the risk of such animal-to-human transmission of the virus outside the farms was “negligible.” On three of the four infected farms, the source of...…United Kingdom AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Mink with the coronavirus have infected two people in the Netherlands in what are probably the first such cases of transmission during the epidemic, government and health authorities said on Monday. Mink carrying the virus were found on four of the 155 farms in the country where they are bred for their fur, Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten said in a letter to parliament that detailed the two cases. She said the risk of such animal-to-human transmission of the virus outside the farms was “negligible.” On three of the four infected farms, the source of...WW…

United States MADRID (Reuters) - Spain’s health ministry revised the country’s coronavirus death toll down by nearly 2,000 to 26,834 on Monday after checking data provided by regions. The total number of cases recorded since the outbreak began has also been revised down, and is now 235,400 — 372 fewer than on Sunday, it said. Just 50 people died of the virus over the past week, it added, a marked fall from previous weeks. The total number of deaths, has now been rising by less than 100 a day for over a week, compared with a peak of 950 in early April. The daily numbers often include people...…United States MADRID (Reuters) - Spain’s health ministry revised the country’s coronavirus death toll down by nearly 2,000 to 26,834 on Monday after checking data provided by regions. The total number of cases recorded since the outbreak began has also been revised down, and is now 235,400 — 372 fewer than on Sunday, it said. Just 50 people died of the virus over the past week, it added, a marked fall from previous weeks. The total number of deaths, has now been rising by less than 100 a day for over a week, compared with a peak of 950 in early April. The daily numbers often include people...WW…

United States PARAMARIBO (Reuters) - Surinamese President Desi Bouterse, a former military ruler who has dominated the country’s politics in recent decades, was seeking a third term in an election on Monday, about six months after a local court found him guilty of murder in absentia. The court in November sentenced the 74-year-old president to 20 years in prison for ordering the execution of 15 adversaries in the former Dutch colony who had spoken out against his seizure of power in a February 1980 coup. Bouterse, who has avoided prison due to his presidential immunity, has appealed the...…United States PARAMARIBO (Reuters) - Surinamese President Desi Bouterse, a former military ruler who has dominated the country’s politics in recent decades, was seeking a third term in an election on Monday, about six months after a local court found him guilty of murder in absentia. The court in November sentenced the 74-year-old president to 20 years in prison for ordering the execution of 15 adversaries in the former Dutch colony who had spoken out against his seizure of power in a February 1980 coup. Bouterse, who has avoided prison due to his presidential immunity, has appealed the...WW…

United States TASHKENT (Reuters) - Uzbekistan is considering letting a reputable foreign company manage Uzbekistan Airways, its flagship carrier which has been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s office said on Monday. Mirziyoyev has discussed the sector’s prospects with cabinet members, his office said in a statement, and instructed them to draft a turnaround plan for the state-owned airline and its sister company which manages airports. “The issues of allowing new carriers to enter the market in order to boost competition, and letting a prestigious foreign...…United States TASHKENT (Reuters) - Uzbekistan is considering letting a reputable foreign company manage Uzbekistan Airways, its flagship carrier which has been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s office said on Monday. Mirziyoyev has discussed the sector’s prospects with cabinet members, his office said in a statement, and instructed them to draft a turnaround plan for the state-owned airline and its sister company which manages airports. “The issues of allowing new carriers to enter the market in order to boost competition, and letting a prestigious foreign...WW…

United States LONDON (Reuters) - Stocks gained modestly on Monday with many countries on holiday as German business morale rebounded strongly in May, offering a glimpse of optimism to battered investors of what lay beyond weeks of economic lockdowns. MSCI’s gauge of world stocks gained 0.4%, nearing a 2-1/2 month high. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 1.2%. Lockdown measures introduced in mid-March have put the global economy on track for a recession this year. Only unprecedented stimulus by global central banks has held up world markets in recent weeks. With nervous investors wary...…United States LONDON (Reuters) - Stocks gained modestly on Monday with many countries on holiday as German business morale rebounded strongly in May, offering a glimpse of optimism to battered investors of what lay beyond weeks of economic lockdowns. MSCI’s gauge of world stocks gained 0.4%, nearing a 2-1/2 month high. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 1.2%. Lockdown measures introduced in mid-March have put the global economy on track for a recession this year. Only unprecedented stimulus by global central banks has held up world markets in recent weeks. With nervous investors wary...WW…

United States GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization has suspended testing the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients due to safety concerns, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday. Hydroxycholoroquine has been touted by Donald Trump and others as a possible treatment for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The U.S. President has said he was taking the drug to help prevent infection. “The executive group has implemented a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm within the Solidarity trial while the safety data is reviewed by the...…United States GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization has suspended testing the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients due to safety concerns, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday. Hydroxycholoroquine has been touted by Donald Trump and others as a possible treatment for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The U.S. President has said he was taking the drug to help prevent infection. “The executive group has implemented a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm within the Solidarity trial while the safety data is reviewed by the...WW…

United States BEIJING (Reuters) - It’s the most sensitive day of the year for China’s internet, the anniversary of the bloody June 4 crackdown on pro-democracy protests at Tiananmen Square, and with under two weeks to go, China’s robot censors are working overtime. Censors at Chinese internet companies say tools to detect and block content related to the 1989 crackdown have reached unprecedented levels of accuracy, aided by machine learning and voice and image recognition. “We sometimes say that the artificial intelligence is a scalpel, and a human is a machete,” said one content screening...…United States BEIJING (Reuters) - It’s the most sensitive day of the year for China’s internet, the anniversary of the bloody June 4 crackdown on pro-democracy protests at Tiananmen Square, and with under two weeks to go, China’s robot censors are working overtime. Censors at Chinese internet companies say tools to detect and block content related to the 1989 crackdown have reached unprecedented levels of accuracy, aided by machine learning and voice and image recognition. “We sometimes say that the artificial intelligence is a scalpel, and a human is a machete,” said one content screening...WW…

United States WARSAW (Reuters) - Local supermarket Biedronka has been mis-labelling goods including Belgian carrots and Ukrainian cucumbers as home grown, Poland’s anti-monopoly office said on Monday. The watchdog said Biedronka, part of Portuguese retail group Jeronimo Martins (), had labelled the imported vegetables as Polish at a time when many Poles were making “patriotic” shopping choices. The government has encouraged Poles to buy Polish products to support the local economy during the coronavirus crisis. Tomasz Chrostny, who heads the anti-monopoly watchdog UOKiK, said consumers had...…United States WARSAW (Reuters) - Local supermarket Biedronka has been mis-labelling goods including Belgian carrots and Ukrainian cucumbers as home grown, Poland’s anti-monopoly office said on Monday. The watchdog said Biedronka, part of Portuguese retail group Jeronimo Martins (), had labelled the imported vegetables as Polish at a time when many Poles were making “patriotic” shopping choices. The government has encouraged Poles to buy Polish products to support the local economy during the coronavirus crisis. Tomasz Chrostny, who heads the anti-monopoly watchdog UOKiK, said consumers had...WW…

United States BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s commerce minister said on Monday that trade remedy measures on Australia have been prudent and restrained when asked about hefty tariffs on barley imports from Australia. Earlier this month, China announced anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties totaling 80.5% on Australian barley imports from May 19. Reporting by Muyu Xu and Tom Daly; Editing by Toby Chopra…United States BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s commerce minister said on Monday that trade remedy measures on Australia have been prudent and restrained when asked about hefty tariffs on barley imports from Australia. Earlier this month, China announced anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties totaling 80.5% on Australian barley imports from May 19. Reporting by Muyu Xu and Tom Daly; Editing by Toby ChopraWW…