May 31 in history: Big Ben strikes first hour, Holocaust architect hanged and more

US President Donald Trump has announced that he would have to postpone a Group of Seven summit (G7 summit) until September or later, although he had hoped to hold it next month.

"I'm postponing it because I don't feel that as a G7 it properly represents what's going on in the world," Trump said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protestors-would-have-met-vicious-dogs-had-white-house-fence-been-breached-trump-302056">Also read:&nbsp;Protestors would have met 'vicious dogs' had White House fence been breached: Trump</a>

He also declared his intention of expanding the list of invitees and include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India. The original list of invitees has members that are the world's most advanced economies. However, Trump believes the list is&nbsp;a "very outdated group of countries" in its current format.

While the intention of expanding the guest list for this meeting has been made clear, it is still unclear if the change will be a permanent change or not. On several previous occasions, he suggested Russia be added given what he described as Moscow's global strategic importance.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-resumes-human-spaceflight-from-us-soil-with-historic-spacex-launch-302070">Also read:&nbsp;NASA resumes human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch</a>

White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said Trump wants the countries to discuss China at the summit.

Donald Trump has endorsed the idea of in-person G7 Summit&nbsp;as, critics&nbsp;believe, this gives him a chance to showcase how US has handled the pandemic and is back to normalcy. French President Emmanuel Macron backed the idea of an in-person meeting, according to the White House.

However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to endorse it, saying there were too many health-related questions. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier this week she could not attend.

US President Donald Trump has announced that he would have to postpone a Group of Seven summit (G7 summit) until September or later, although he had hoped to hold it next month.

US President Donald Trump has announced that he would have to postpone a Group of Seven summit (G7 summit) until September or later, although he had hoped to hold it next month. "I'm postponing it because I don't feel that as a G7 it properly represents what's going on in the world," Trump said. Also read: Protestors would have met 'vicious dogs' had White House fence been breached: Trump He also declared his intention of expanding the list of invitees and include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India. The original list of invitees has members that are the world's most advanced economies. However, Trump believes the list is a "very outdated group of countries" in its current format. While the intention of expanding the guest list for this meeting has been made clear, it is still unclear if the change will be a permanent change or not. On several previous occasions, he suggested Russia be added given what he described as Moscow's global strategic importance. Also read: NASA resumes human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said Trump wants the countries to discuss China at the summit. Donald Trump has endorsed the idea of in-person G7 Summit as, critics believe, this gives him a chance to showcase how US has handled the pandemic and is back to normalcy. French President Emmanuel Macron backed the idea of an in-person meeting, according to the White House. However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to endorse it, saying there were too many health-related questions. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier this week she could not attend.

Trump postpones G7 Summit; talks about inviting India

Israel allowed citizens to return back to their day-to-day life as infections decreased. However, the country saw an increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases a day after Israel reopened.

However,&nbsp;Israeli schools will remain open despite a COVID-19 outbreak at a high school, the health ministry said on Saturday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-shot-dead-in-jerusalem-by-israeli-police-301985">Also read:&nbsp;Palestinian shot dead in Jerusalem by Israeli police</a>

As the country saw more than 100 coronavirus cases after the country reopened, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that coronavirus curbs would be reimposed if infection rates increase. Majority of the new cases&nbsp;originated at one Jerusalem high school.

In a televised address, Netanyahu said it was still too early to say whether this showed a change in trend. The next few days would be examined to see whether there was a significant rise in infection rates that would require policy change, he said.

"It's too early to say whether there is a change in trend but it is not too early to say that there is a breakdown in discipline," Netanyahu said.

The Education Minister&nbsp;Yoav Gallant assured that a special team will make sure all educational institutions follow proper protocols of social distancing.

Israel has reported a total of some 17,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 284 deaths.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Israel allowed citizens to return back to their day-to-day life as infections decreased. However, the country saw an increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases a day after Israel reopened.

Israel allowed citizens to return back to their day-to-day life as infections decreased. However, the country saw an increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases a day after Israel reopened. However, Israeli schools will remain open despite a COVID-19 outbreak at a high school, the health ministry said on Saturday. Also read: Palestinian shot dead in Jerusalem by Israeli police As the country saw more than 100 coronavirus cases after the country reopened, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that coronavirus curbs would be reimposed if infection rates increase. Majority of the new cases originated at one Jerusalem high school. In a televised address, Netanyahu said it was still too early to say whether this showed a change in trend. The next few days would be examined to see whether there was a significant rise in infection rates that would require policy change, he said. "It's too early to say whether there is a change in trend but it is not too early to say that there is a breakdown in discipline," Netanyahu said. The Education Minister Yoav Gallant assured that a special team will make sure all educational institutions follow proper protocols of social distancing. Israel has reported a total of some 17,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 284 deaths. (With inputs from Reuters)

Israeli schools to stay open despite COVID-19 outbreak at high school

Tamil Nadu has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the country, and has observed a constant high rise in the number of cases, with Chennai being the state's epicenter.

Considering the same, the Tamil Nadu government has announced an extension of the lockdown for the state. The lockdown will continue till the end of June, but will have few relaxations.

"To prevent the spread of coronavirus, the curfew is being extended till June 30 under the State Disaster Management Act and as per the Union Home Ministry's notification," Palaniswami said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nokia-shuts-india-plant-in-chennai-after-covid-19-case-301250">Also read:&nbsp;Nokia shuts India plant in Chennai after COVID-19 case</a>

Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced an extended lockdown on all religious places and inter-state&nbsp; bus transport and Metro and suburban train services. All hotels, excluding the COVID 19 facilities, will stay closed, along with all entertainment venues.

Public transport will resume with reduced buses from June 1 barring in Chennai and adjoining Tiruvallur.

Offices will be allowed to reopen, but with limited capacity. All employers will have to make sure that all norms of social distancing are followed, and a regular check on employees' health will have to be maintained. However, any offices in the containment zone will not be allowed to reopen.

The major relaxation, resumption of public transport, will be implemented from Monday onwards in six of the eight zones, formed by combining nearby districts, with a slew of guidelines in place.

All schools and colleges will remain shut.

There would be no need for people to apply for e-pass to travel within the zones, and all kinds of vehicles can ply in these select routes. However, e-pass will be compulsory for inter-zone and inter-state travel, Palaniswami said.

Hotels and restaurants can start dine-in services from June 8 in line with the Centre's guidelines, as against takeaways so far, but only 50 per cent of the seats should be occupied. So would be the case with tea shops. 
Grocery and vegetable shops can function from 6 am to 8 pm.

All standalone shops can reopen. However, malls will remain shut till further notice.

&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the country, and has observed a constant high rise in the number of cases, with Chennai being the state's epicenter.

Tamil Nadu has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the country, and has observed a constant high rise in the number of cases, with Chennai being the state's epicenter. Considering the same, the Tamil Nadu government has announced an extension of the lockdown for the state. The lockdown will continue till the end of June, but will have few relaxations. "To prevent the spread of coronavirus, the curfew is being extended till June 30 under the State Disaster Management Act and as per the Union Home Ministry's notification," Palaniswami said in a statement. Also read: Nokia shuts India plant in Chennai after COVID-19 case Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced an extended lockdown on all religious places and inter-state bus transport and Metro and suburban train services. All hotels, excluding the COVID 19 facilities, will stay closed, along with all entertainment venues. Public transport will resume with reduced buses from June 1 barring in Chennai and adjoining Tiruvallur. Offices will be allowed to reopen, but with limited capacity. All employers will have to make sure that all norms of social distancing are followed, and a regular check on employees' health will have to be maintained. However, any offices in the containment zone will not be allowed to reopen. The major relaxation, resumption of public transport, will be implemented from Monday onwards in six of the eight zones, formed by combining nearby districts, with a slew of guidelines in place. All schools and colleges will remain shut. There would be no need for people to apply for e-pass to travel within the zones, and all kinds of vehicles can ply in these select routes. However, e-pass will be compulsory for inter-zone and inter-state travel, Palaniswami said. Hotels and restaurants can start dine-in services from June 8 in line with the Centre's guidelines, as against takeaways so far, but only 50 per cent of the seats should be occupied. So would be the case with tea shops. Grocery and vegetable shops can function from 6 am to 8 pm. All standalone shops can reopen. However, malls will remain shut till further notice.

COVID 19: Tamil Nadu shifts to lockdown 5.0, instead of unlock 1.0

The investigation on the voice recorders found in the crashed Pakistan flight's cockpit will commence from June 2 in France, the French aviation investigation authority has said.

The crash killed 97 people in total, including 90 passengers and a crew of eight, when it crashed into the Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony in Malir on Friday, minutes before its landing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-rs-30-million-cash-found-from-wreckage-of-crashed-aircraft-301787">Also read|&nbsp;Pakistan: Rs 30 million cash found from wreckage of crashed aircraft</a>

The investigation of the crashed Airbus A320 aircraft, of the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), will be done by&nbsp;an 11-member team of experts from an Airbus facility in the French city of Toulouse. The team arrived in Pakistan last week to conduct an independent probe into the crash involving its aircraft.&nbsp; The team&nbsp;includes experts from France, Germany, the UK and other countries.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
(1/2) ⚠️ Accident <a href="https://twitter.com/Airbus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Airbus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/A320?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#A320</a> AP-BLD <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_PIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Official_PIA</a> / the mission on site is about to be completed / <a href="https://twitter.com/BEA_Aero?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BEA_Aero</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Airbus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Airbus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SafranEngines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SafranEngines</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CFM_engines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CFM_engines</a> &amp; Pakistan’s AAIB team will then fly to France.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIA8303?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIA8303</a> <a href="https://t.co/IMKOUC4xLH">pic.twitter.com/IMKOUC4xLH</a>
— BEA ✈️ 🚁🛩 🇫🇷 (@BEA_Aero) <a href="https://twitter.com/BEA_Aero/status/1266630137258430465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The flight data recorder (FDR) records time, altitude, airspeed, heading, and aircraft attitude and other in-flight characteristics. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) records the audio environment in the flight deck, and is useful in cases of accidents and incident investigation purposes.&nbsp;It records and stores the audio signals of the microphones and earphones of the pilots' headsets and of an area microphone installed in the cockpit, which helps the investigators figure out the cause and happenings of the crash.

The BEA said that Pakistan's Aircraft Accident and Investigation Board (AAIB) team will fly to France after the work on the crash site is completed. "The mission on site is about to be completed. @BEA_Aero @Airbus @SafranEngines @CFM_engines &amp; Pakistan's AAIB team will then fly to France," it said in the tweet.

The investigation team, which reached Karachi on May 26, was to return after two days. However, as the team was unable to gather key evidence, the team extended their stay and conducted a forensic&nbsp;examination of the aircraft wreckage.

They also collected different parts of the plane that would help in identifying the cause of the crash.

The team also visited&nbsp;the radar centre at the Jinnah International Airport and the control tower to review the conditions, and collected parts of the crashed structure that can help them in investigating.

The investigation on the voice recorders found in the crashed Pakistan flight's cockpit will commence from June 2 in France, the French aviation investigation authority has said.

The investigation on the voice recorders found in the crashed Pakistan flight's cockpit will commence from June 2 in France, the French aviation investigation authority has said. The crash killed 97 people in total, including 90 passengers and a crew of eight, when it crashed into the Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony in Malir on Friday, minutes before its landing. Also read| Pakistan: Rs 30 million cash found from wreckage of crashed aircraft The investigation of the crashed Airbus A320 aircraft, of the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), will be done by an 11-member team of experts from an Airbus facility in the French city of Toulouse. The team arrived in Pakistan last week to conduct an independent probe into the crash involving its aircraft. The team includes experts from France, Germany, the UK and other countries. (1/2) ⚠️ Accident @Airbus #A320 AP-BLD @Official_PIA / the mission on site is about to be completed / @BEA_Aero @Airbus @SafranEngines @CFM_engines & Pakistan’s AAIB team will then fly to France.#PIA8303 pic.twitter.com/IMKOUC4xLH — BEA ✈️ 🚁🛩 🇫🇷 (@BEA_Aero) May 30, 2020 × The flight data recorder (FDR) records time, altitude, airspeed, heading, and aircraft attitude and other in-flight characteristics. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) records the audio environment in the flight deck, and is useful in cases of accidents and incident investigation purposes. It records and stores the audio signals of the microphones and earphones of the pilots' headsets and of an area microphone installed in the cockpit, which helps the investigators figure out the cause and happenings of the crash. The BEA said that Pakistan's Aircraft Accident and Investigation Board (AAIB) team will fly to France after the work on the crash site is completed. "The mission on site is about to be completed. @BEA_Aero @Airbus @SafranEngines @CFM_engines & Pakistan's AAIB team will then fly to France," it said in the tweet. The investigation team, which reached Karachi on May 26, was to return after two days. However, as the team was unable to gather key evidence, the team extended their stay and conducted a forensic examination of the aircraft wreckage. They also collected different parts of the plane that would help in identifying the cause of the crash. The team also visited the radar centre at the Jinnah International Airport and the control tower to review the conditions, and collected parts of the crashed structure that can help them in investigating.

Pakistan: Investigators to start decoding black box of crashed craft from June 02 in France

Let’s light this candle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched in Florida marking a historic moment

The coronavirus pandemic turned grimmer in Pakistan with 78 more fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 1,395, while the total cases crossed the 68,000-mark, the health ministry said on Saturday.

According to health officials, 532,037 COVID-19 tests, including 12,020 on Friday, were conducted so far in the country. The total tally now stands at 68,177, the ministry said.

Sindh reported the maximum number of 26,113 coronavirus cases, followed by 24,104 in Punjab, 9,067 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 4,087 in Balochistan, 2,192 in Islamabad, 660 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 234 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). On the positive side, 24,131 patients have recovered, the ministry said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/afghanistan-transit-trade-begins-through-pakistans-gwadar-port-301989">Also read:&nbsp;Afghanistan transit trade begins through Pakistan's Gwadar port</a>

Minister of State for Frontier Regions and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi on late Friday night tweeted that he was tested positive for the virus. "I have isolated myself in home as directed by the doctors," he said.

Meanwhile, the UK has announced to provide an additional assistance of 4.39 million pounds to cash-strapped Pakistan to tide over the coronavirus crisis. In April, the UK has provided a fund of 2.67 million pounds to Pakistan to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

"Pakistan is showing international leadership in its Coronavirus response; Great Britain announces 4.39 million pounds of further support," British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner tweeted on Friday.

He said the package will support emergency response systems and provide assistance to food security, sanitation and hygiene, mental health and psychological issues.

Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Saturday said that presently only "25 per cent of the total hospital assets" were occupied.He told reporters that the overall situation was under control.

"I'm sure some hospitals are full in some cities. But that does not mean hospitals in the entire country are full," he said.

It was mandatory for people to wear masks while visiting crowded places like mosques, markets, shops, malls and public transport, he said, adding that people can also use masks inside their homes if there was a lot of people around.

Mirza said that the country's local transmission rate was 92 per cent as the disease was spreading. "Cases are increasing as the disease is spreading," he said.

The coronavirus pandemic turned grimmer in Pakistan with 78 more fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 1,395, while the total cases crossed the 68,000-mark, the health ministry said on Saturday.

The coronavirus pandemic turned grimmer in Pakistan with 78 more fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 1,395, while the total cases crossed the 68,000-mark, the health ministry said on Saturday. According to health officials, 532,037 COVID-19 tests, including 12,020 on Friday, were conducted so far in the country. The total tally now stands at 68,177, the ministry said. Sindh reported the maximum number of 26,113 coronavirus cases, followed by 24,104 in Punjab, 9,067 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 4,087 in Balochistan, 2,192 in Islamabad, 660 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 234 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). On the positive side, 24,131 patients have recovered, the ministry said. Also read: Afghanistan transit trade begins through Pakistan's Gwadar port Minister of State for Frontier Regions and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi on late Friday night tweeted that he was tested positive for the virus. "I have isolated myself in home as directed by the doctors," he said. Meanwhile, the UK has announced to provide an additional assistance of 4.39 million pounds to cash-strapped Pakistan to tide over the coronavirus crisis. In April, the UK has provided a fund of 2.67 million pounds to Pakistan to combat COVID-19 pandemic. "Pakistan is showing international leadership in its Coronavirus response; Great Britain announces 4.39 million pounds of further support," British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner tweeted on Friday. He said the package will support emergency response systems and provide assistance to food security, sanitation and hygiene, mental health and psychological issues. Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Saturday said that presently only "25 per cent of the total hospital assets" were occupied.He told reporters that the overall situation was under control. "I'm sure some hospitals are full in some cities. But that does not mean hospitals in the entire country are full," he said. It was mandatory for people to wear masks while visiting crowded places like mosques, markets, shops, malls and public transport, he said, adding that people can also use masks inside their homes if there was a lot of people around. Mirza said that the country's local transmission rate was 92 per cent as the disease was spreading. "Cases are increasing as the disease is spreading," he said.

COVID 19: Pakistan crosses 68,000 mark; UK lends financial support

Unlock 1.0: From salons to schools, what's reopening and what stays closed

Facing its deepest recession since World War II and with business confidence collapsing, the coronavirus pandemic is hitting Italy's economy hard.

Business confidence in the eurozone's third largest economy in May plummeted to its lowest level since official statistics institute ISTAT started the index in March 2005.

The figure is "alarming", said small business federation Confesercenti.

"The health and economic emergency has swept businesses away, especially in shops, services and tourism," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-news-return-to-normal-life-as-italys-serie-a-resumes-on-june-20-301738">Also read:&nbsp;'Return to normal life' as Italy's Serie A resumes on June 20</a>

Its members are particularly concerned "by the lack of liquidity necessary to pay costs and salaries... we are close to a point of no return and that's why the measures decided by the government (loan guarantees, SME subsidies) must be operational immediately," said federation head Patrizia De Luise.

"We need to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate and simplify procedures, because if support is delayed again, many businesses will have no option but to stop," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-2020-to-unveil-lineup-next-week-301903">Also read:&nbsp;Cannes 2020 to unveil lineup next week</a>

The government last week accused banks of not acting quickly enough, but they said that they had already passed on around 400,000 loan requests worth more than 18 billion euros ($20 billion) to the state-backed Central Guarantee Fund.

A million jobs threatened 
Italy was the first European country to be hit by the pandemic and imposed a strict two-month lockdown which paralysed much of the country's economic activity.

As a result, the country is set for a drop in GDP of between nine and 13 percent, the Bank of Italy said on Friday.

Data also showed that the economy shrank 5.3 percent in the first quarter - worse than the 4.7 percent initially estimated.

It had not seen such an "exceptional" decline in the first quarter since 1995, ISTAT said.

This year's losses could amount to 170 billion euros, equivalent to the GDP of Veneto, Italy's third biggest industrial region, a Mediobanca study said.

The head of the country's main business confederation Cofindustria, Carlo Bonomi, said that up to a million jobs could be threatened nationwide.

"We're waiting for figures at the end of May but indications are that between 700,000 and a million jobs are in danger," he said.

"Jobs are only created if there is growth, innovation, investment. The car manufacturing crisis can't be solved with subsidies or furloughing. You solve it by looking to the future, by investing in new technologies," he said.

Italy is set to be the main beneficiary of a European Union 750-billion-euro recovery plan but it still may not be enough.

No aid 
Italian citizens are slightly more optimistic, but far from celebrating. The pandemic has killed over 30,000 people.

Consumer confidence went from 100.1 points in May to 94.3 in March, its lowest level since December 2013.

While the state has paid for furloughs or handouts for those no longer able to work, many have slipped through the net.

They include Eleonora Fogliacco, 35, a fitness and swimming teacher in Lombardy, the hardest hit region where gyms were ordered closed at the end of February.

"I didn't qualify for the 600-euro monthly government handout because I earned more than 10,000 euros last year," she told AFP.

"During the crisis I had peaceful days and days when I felt completely lost, without any state help. I could no longer see the future and I didn't know what to hold onto," she said.

"I don't buy anything. I depend on my partner for the shopping," said Fogliacco.

"This situation has changed everybody's way of life (and) everything will be very complicated" in the future, she added.

According to a Confcommercio-Censis poll published on Tuesday, 53 percent of Italian families see their future negatively and 68 percent see the country's future negatively.

Because of lockdown, 42 percent of families have had to reduce their work and income, 26 percent have stopped work and 24 percent have been furloughed.

Facing its deepest recession since World War II and with business confidence collapsing, the coronavirus pandemic is hitting Italy's economy hard. Business confidence in the eurozone's third largest economy in May plummeted to its lowest level since official statistics institute ISTAT started the index in March 2005.

Facing its deepest recession since World War II and with business confidence collapsing, the coronavirus pandemic is hitting Italy's economy hard. Business confidence in the eurozone's third largest economy in May plummeted to its lowest level since official statistics institute ISTAT started the index in March 2005. The figure is "alarming", said small business federation Confesercenti. "The health and economic emergency has swept businesses away, especially in shops, services and tourism," it said. Also read: 'Return to normal life' as Italy's Serie A resumes on June 20 Its members are particularly concerned "by the lack of liquidity necessary to pay costs and salaries... we are close to a point of no return and that's why the measures decided by the government (loan guarantees, SME subsidies) must be operational immediately," said federation head Patrizia De Luise. "We need to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate and simplify procedures, because if support is delayed again, many businesses will have no option but to stop," she said. Also read: Cannes 2020 to unveil lineup next week The government last week accused banks of not acting quickly enough, but they said that they had already passed on around 400,000 loan requests worth more than 18 billion euros ($20 billion) to the state-backed Central Guarantee Fund. A million jobs threatened Italy was the first European country to be hit by the pandemic and imposed a strict two-month lockdown which paralysed much of the country's economic activity. As a result, the country is set for a drop in GDP of between nine and 13 percent, the Bank of Italy said on Friday. Data also showed that the economy shrank 5.3 percent in the first quarter - worse than the 4.7 percent initially estimated. It had not seen such an "exceptional" decline in the first quarter since 1995, ISTAT said. This year's losses could amount to 170 billion euros, equivalent to the GDP of Veneto, Italy's third biggest industrial region, a Mediobanca study said. The head of the country's main business confederation Cofindustria, Carlo Bonomi, said that up to a million jobs could be threatened nationwide. "We're waiting for figures at the end of May but indications are that between 700,000 and a million jobs are in danger," he said. "Jobs are only created if there is growth, innovation, investment. The car manufacturing crisis can't be solved with subsidies or furloughing. You solve it by looking to the future, by investing in new technologies," he said. Italy is set to be the main beneficiary of a European Union 750-billion-euro recovery plan but it still may not be enough. No aid Italian citizens are slightly more optimistic, but far from celebrating. The pandemic has killed over 30,000 people. Consumer confidence went from 100.1 points in May to 94.3 in March, its lowest level since December 2013. While the state has paid for furloughs or handouts for those no longer able to work, many have slipped through the net. They include Eleonora Fogliacco, 35, a fitness and swimming teacher in Lombardy, the hardest hit region where gyms were ordered closed at the end of February. "I didn't qualify for the 600-euro monthly government handout because I earned more than 10,000 euros last year," she told AFP. "During the crisis I had peaceful days and days when I felt completely lost, without any state help. I could no longer see the future and I didn't know what to hold onto," she said. "I don't buy anything. I depend on my partner for the shopping," said Fogliacco. "This situation has changed everybody's way of life (and) everything will be very complicated" in the future, she added. According to a Confcommercio-Censis poll published on Tuesday, 53 percent of Italian families see their future negatively and 68 percent see the country's future negatively. Because of lockdown, 42 percent of families have had to reduce their work and income, 26 percent have stopped work and 24 percent have been furloughed.

Virus-battered Italy faces worst recession since WWII

May 30 in history: Bangladesh President assassinated, mass shooting in Tel Aviv and more

A troop of monkeys in India attacked a medical official and snatched away blood samples of patients who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, authorities said on Friday.

The attack occurred this week when a laboratory technician was walking in the campus of a state-run medical college in Meerut, 460 km (285 miles) north of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh state.

“Monkeys grabbed and fled with the blood samples of four COVID-19 patients who are undergoing treatment ... we had to take their blood samples again,” said Dr S. K. Garg, a top official at the college.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-stands-9th-on-covid-19-worst-hit-nations-list-surpassing-china-301706">Also read:&nbsp;India stands 9th on Covid-19 worst-hit nations' list, surpassing China</a>

Authorities said they were not clear if the monkeys had spilled the blood samples, but people living near the leafy campus feared further spread of the virus if the monkeys carried the samples into residential areas.

Garg said it was not clear if the monkeys could contract the coronavirus if they came into contact with infected blood.

“No evidence has been found that monkeys can contract the infection,” Garg told Reuters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-likely-to-retain-limited-role-and-allow-states-have-more-say-after-lockdown-40-301870">Also read:&nbsp;Centre likely to retain limited role and allow states have more say after Lockdown 4.0</a>

The virus is believed to have jumped from animals into people in a wildlife market in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

India has had 165,799 cases of the coronavirus and 4,706 deaths.

Monkeys have been increasingly straying into human settlements in India and causing disturbances, even attacking people. Environmentalists say the destruction of natural habitat is the main reason the animals move into urban areas in search of food.

A troop of monkeys in India attacked a medical official and snatched away blood samples of patients who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, authorities said on Friday.

A troop of monkeys in India attacked a medical official and snatched away blood samples of patients who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, authorities said on Friday. The attack occurred this week when a laboratory technician was walking in the campus of a state-run medical college in Meerut, 460 km (285 miles) north of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh state. “Monkeys grabbed and fled with the blood samples of four COVID-19 patients who are undergoing treatment ... we had to take their blood samples again,” said Dr S. K. Garg, a top official at the college. Also read: India stands 9th on Covid-19 worst-hit nations' list, surpassing China Authorities said they were not clear if the monkeys had spilled the blood samples, but people living near the leafy campus feared further spread of the virus if the monkeys carried the samples into residential areas. Garg said it was not clear if the monkeys could contract the coronavirus if they came into contact with infected blood. “No evidence has been found that monkeys can contract the infection,” Garg told Reuters. Also read: Centre likely to retain limited role and allow states have more say after Lockdown 4.0 The virus is believed to have jumped from animals into people in a wildlife market in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. India has had 165,799 cases of the coronavirus and 4,706 deaths. Monkeys have been increasingly straying into human settlements in India and causing disturbances, even attacking people. Environmentalists say the destruction of natural habitat is the main reason the animals move into urban areas in search of food.

Only in India: Monkey steals COVID-19 samples from lab

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to increase the workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent in the state.

"With multiple crises in the state, we have decided to increase the state government's workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent. Continuation of restoration work is one of the top priorities and workforce increase will ensure that public services are uninterrupted," Banerjee said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-accuses-government-of-running-corona-express-in-disguise-of-shramik-trains-301942">Also read:&nbsp;Mamata Banerjee accuses government of running 'Corona express' in disguise of Shramik trains</a>

The decision has been taken to complete the restoration work of the damage done by the cyclone that hit the state last week, and caused immense structural damage.

As she announced the decision of increasing the workforce capacity during the pandemic, she also added a word of caution for the private entities, "In the private sector, I urge all to stay safe, work indoors as much as possible and to the best of their abilities. Prerogative lies with the respective managements of private entities to decide on workforce capacity and act accordingly."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-amphan-leaves-kolkata-airport-flooded-hangars-damaged-beyond-repair-300105">Have a look:&nbsp;Cyclone Amphan leaves Kolkata airport flooded; hangars damaged beyond repair</a>&nbsp;

The Chief Minister also announced that West Bengal will be continuing with the lockdown after lockdown 4.0 ends at the end of this month.&nbsp;"The lockdown will continue with minimal effects. Jute mills and tea gardens will operate with 100 per cent workforce capacity. We are together in this. I am sure with all your cooperation and understanding, Bengal will emerge victoriously."

During this lockdown extension in her state, she will also allow all religious places to reopen, but with a capacity of 10 people at a&nbsp; time.&nbsp;"Temples, gurdwaras, mosques and all religious places in the state are closed. They will open from June 1 but not more than 10 people will be allowed at any given point of time. No assembly would be allowed in religious places."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to increase the workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent in the state. "With multiple crises in the state, we have decided to increase the state government's workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to increase the workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent in the state. "With multiple crises in the state, we have decided to increase the state government's workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent. Continuation of restoration work is one of the top priorities and workforce increase will ensure that public services are uninterrupted," Banerjee said. Also read: Mamata Banerjee accuses government of running 'Corona express' in disguise of Shramik trains The decision has been taken to complete the restoration work of the damage done by the cyclone that hit the state last week, and caused immense structural damage. As she announced the decision of increasing the workforce capacity during the pandemic, she also added a word of caution for the private entities, "In the private sector, I urge all to stay safe, work indoors as much as possible and to the best of their abilities. Prerogative lies with the respective managements of private entities to decide on workforce capacity and act accordingly." Have a look: Cyclone Amphan leaves Kolkata airport flooded; hangars damaged beyond repair The Chief Minister also announced that West Bengal will be continuing with the lockdown after lockdown 4.0 ends at the end of this month. "The lockdown will continue with minimal effects. Jute mills and tea gardens will operate with 100 per cent workforce capacity. We are together in this. I am sure with all your cooperation and understanding, Bengal will emerge victoriously." During this lockdown extension in her state, she will also allow all religious places to reopen, but with a capacity of 10 people at a time. "Temples, gurdwaras, mosques and all religious places in the state are closed. They will open from June 1 but not more than 10 people will be allowed at any given point of time. No assembly would be allowed in religious places."

Mamata Banerjee increases workforce capacity to 70%; announces lockdown extension for West Bengal

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