World

Data puzzle as Spain tweaks coronavirus tracking system

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Health Ministry on Tuesday defended changes to its methodology for recording coronavirus data that have led to wild fluctuations in daily statistics and provoked sharp criticism by opposition parties.

World

Canadian soldiers witness 'deeply disturbing' scenes in seniors' residences - PM

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian soldiers helping to manage the coronavirus outbreak in seniors' residences have witnessed some "deeply disturbing" scenes, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday, adding he was shocked and angry.

World

Brazil coronavirus deaths could surpass 125,000 by August, U.S. study says

BRASILIA (Reuters) - As Brazil's daily COVID-19 death rate climbs to the highest in the world, a University of Washington study is warning its total death toll could climb five-fold to 125,000 by early August, adding to fears it has become a new hot spot in the pandemic.

China

Covid-19: China’s coronavirus campaign offers glimpse into surveillance system

The coronavirus outbreak in China has given unprecedented glimpses into how an extensive system of surveillance cameras works, as monitoring stations are rebranded epidemic “war rooms” helping to check people’s movements and stifle the disease.

World

Colombian factory adds bedrooms for workers as economy slowly reopens

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian seamstress Nazly Penagos got an unusual offer from her boss: come live inside the Bogota factory to reduce the chance of getting sick with the novel coronavirus.

World

Italy's records 78 new coronavirus deaths, 397 new cases

ROME (Reuters) - Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 78 on Tuesday, against 92 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new cases increased to 397 from 300 on Monday.

Music

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli says he had coronavirus

Renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli said Tuesday he had caught the novel coronavirus but was now recovered, describing the experience as "a nightmare".

World

Dutch PM did not visit dying mother until end due to coronavirus rules -statement

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte did not visit his 96-year-old mother for more than eight weeks until hours before her death this month due to lockdown measures in the Netherlands, his office said on Tuesday.

World

WHO says the Americas are new epicenter of coronavirus pandemic

BRASILIA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the Americas the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, and now is not the time for countries to ease restrictions, officials said in a Tuesday briefing.

China

In land of big data, China sets individual privacy rights

China is poised to enshrine individuals' rights to privacy and personal data for the first time, a symbolic first step as more of the country of 1.4 billion people becomes digitised – and more vulnerable to leaks and hacks.

World

WHO expects hydroxychloroquine safety findings by mid-June

ZURICH (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday promised a swift review of data on hydroxychloroquine, probably by mid-June, after safety concerns prompted the group to suspend the malaria drug's use in a trial on COVID-19 patients.

Motorsport

Russell feels esports success has raised his profile

LONDON (Reuters) - Williams Formula One driver George Russell feels his recent esports success, with back-to-back wins in the virtual Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix, is enhancing his reputation in the real world.

Football

Premier League clubs to vote on next stage of Project Restart

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Premier League clubs will vote on Wednesday over whether to move to the second phase of Project Restart as they intensify efforts to return to full action.

Nation

King, Queen extend condolences to Ahmad Talib's family

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah extended their condolences to the family of veteran journalist Datuk Ahmad A. Talib who died on Tuesday (May 26).

Tennis

Cilic and Coric to join Djokovic's Balkan tour

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Croatians Marin Cilic and Borna Coric will join world number one Novak Djokovic's tennis tournament to be played across the Balkans June 13-July 5, the Serb said on Tuesday.

Nation

Muhyiddin pays tribute to Ahmad Talib

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin paid tribute to veteran journalist Datuk Ahmad A. Talib, saying the passing of his dear friend was a big loss to the nation, especially the world of news and communication.

World

Albania to open crèches, land borders, hotel beaches on Monday

TIRANA (Reuters) - Albania will re-open crèches and kindergartens and kick off its tourism season on June 1, the health minister said on Tuesday, despite reporting a sharp daily rise in coronavirus infections.

World

Kosovo president rejects EU mediator for talks with Serbia

PRISTINA (Reuters) - Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said on Tuesday he would not take part in talks on normalising ties with Serbia led by an European Union special mediator, calling instead for an increased U.S. role in the dialogue.

World

Buried by Vesuvius, blighted by coronavirus, Pompeii wants to rise again

POMPEII, Italy (Reuters) - Pompeii, the ancient Roman city buried in an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and later unearthed, is ready to rise again from the catastrophe of the coronavirus pandemic.

World

Exclusive: Indonesia, major advocate of hydroxychloroquine, told by WHO to stop using it

(Reuters) - The World Health Organization has urged Indonesia, one of the world's biggest advocates of two malaria drugs to treat the coronavirus, to suspend such treatment over safety concerns, a source familiar with the advice told Reuters on Tuesday.