Spain's Podemos takes a new direction Sunday with Ione Belarra set to take over as leader following Pablo Iglesias' departure, putting two women at the helm of the radical left-wing party.

Spain's Podemos takes a new direction Sunday with Ione Belarra set to take over as leader following Pablo Iglesias' departure, putting two women at the helm of the radical left-wing party. Following a week-long vote, activists from Podemos, the junior partner in Spain's ruling coalition, will on Sunday afternoon announce the name of the party's new secretary-general at a party assembly in Alcorcon near Madrid. Iglesias has said he won't attend the gathering in a gesture to show he no longer exerts any influence over the party he founded in 2014. But Belarra has the full blessing of Iglesias who decided to withdraw from politics following a crushing defeat by the right in the May 4 regional elections in Madrid. Running against two unknown candidates, Belarra -- who replaced Iglesias as social affairs minister -- is the overwhelming favourite, with the 33-year-old campaigning on a pledge to "strengthen Podemos" which has seen declining support in recent years. But although she takes the helm, it will be Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz, 50, who will head the list for Podemos and its allies in the next general elections, due by January 2024. A cultural shift Having two women leaders in charge "is not within the organisational culture of Podemos" which is more accustomed to the super-charged leadership of Iglesias, explained Paloma Roman, professor of Political Science at Madrid's Complutense University. A native of the northern city of Pamplona, Belarra has worked for the Red Cross and for the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) and been a Podemos activist since the very beginning. A trusted member of Iglesias' inner circle, she was appointed a junior minister within the social affairs ministry that he headed when Podemos entered government in January 2020. When Iglesias stood down early last month, Belarra inherited his role as social affairs minister, while Diaz took up his position as a deputy prime minister. As secretary-general, Belarra will be surrounded by some of Iglesias' closest allies, including his partner, Equality Minister Irene Montero, with whom she studied psychology at university. Very different approaches From Sunday, the two ministers will share the party leadership. And although both are outspoken feminists and share a passion for addressing wage insecurity, they have very different approaches. Belarra takes a more confrontational style, and has not held back from highlighting the differences between Podemos and the Socialists in government, such as branding Defence Minister Margarita Robles the right's "favourite minister". Diaz, however, has shown herself to be more conciliatory. A former lawyer and Communist activist whose father was a well-known union leader, she has negotiated with employers and unions to set up a furlough scheme that has been critical for avoiding mass layoffs during the pandemic. In a recent speech to Podemos MPs, Diaz called for "calm and composure" in the face of the anxiety generated by "Twitter politics" where the party has traditionally been very belligerent. And she urged a return to its anti-austerity origins to manage a society that is "suffering a lot and is resentful". Having two at the top "is going to be quite complicated" in that Belarra will want to have "a very strong and well-controlled party, and not leave room for Yolanda Diaz to do things her way", said political scientist Jose Ignacio Torreblanca. "I don't know if Belarra will be able to get the upper hand over Yolanda Díaz" who has "her own image and ideas", he added. The main "fight" will be over who drafts the programme for the next general elections and the choice of candidates who will be on the party list.

Spain's Podemos elects new chief following Pablo Iglesias' departure

Demonstrations were held across Spain on Friday as Spanish rescuers searched waters off the coast of Tenerife for a one-year-old girl after a body, which was reportedly confirmed to be her six-year-old sister was found weighed down in the ocean, prompting an outpouring of rage and grief. 
 
Their father, Tomas G, is the main suspect in the disappearance of Olivia, six, and Anna, one, after failing to return them to their mother as agreed at the end of April. He is also missing. 
 
Fingerprint checks have confirmed that the body found weighed down in the sea was that of Olivia, according to judicial sources cited by El Pais newspaper. 
 
The family lived on Tenerife, where officials and a few local residents observed a minute of silence in memory of the sisters in front of the main city hall and outside other official buildings on the Canary Islands. 
 
"We are here to denounce a situation that happens more often than it should and to say that enough is enough and that we have to protect women and children, who are victims of male violence," said Nuria Fernández at a protest in Tenerife on Friday. 
 
Other protests were organised in Madrid and cities across the country. 
 
"All Spain is shocked, all our support for the families whose pain is absolutely unbearable and unimaginable, all our rejection of sexist violence, the vicarious violence that some still deny in our country," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday during a visit to Costa Rica. 
 
The body of the six-year-old, which authorities had said was likely that of Olivia, was found on Thursday afternoon at a depth of 1,000 metres (1,090 yards) inside a sports bag tied to an anchor, near where her father's boat was drifting. 
 
Another empty sports bag was also found next to them, a court statement said. 
 
Authorities were about to call off the maritime search earlier this week when they found personal belongings of the father at sea. 
 
On the streets of Tenerife people mourned the girls. 
 
"Every mother and grandmother feels the greatest sorrow, mainly for her (the girls' mother). ... It`s as if they were our own daughters or granddaughters," said local resident Maria Victoria. 
 
Spain's left-wing government has put women's rights at the top of its political agenda and sought to combat prevailing macho attitudes. 
 
In Seville, a former boyfriend of Rocio Caiz, 17, was arrested after he allegedly confessed to killing her and cutting up her body. 
 
Almost 1,100 women have been killed by partners or former partners since a register was created in 2003, shortly before a gender violence law was approved, while some 39 children have been killed during attacks on their mothers since 2013. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Demonstrations were held across Spain on Friday as Spanish rescuers searched waters off the coast of Tenerife for a one-year-old girl after a body, which was reportedly confirmed to be her six-year-old sister was found weighed down in the ocean, prompting an outpouring of rage and grief.

Demonstrations were held across Spain on Friday as Spanish rescuers searched waters off the coast of Tenerife for a one-year-old girl after a body, which was reportedly confirmed to be her six-year-old sister was found weighed down in the ocean, prompting an outpouring of rage and grief. Their father, Tomas G, is the main suspect in the disappearance of Olivia, six, and Anna, one, after failing to return them to their mother as agreed at the end of April. He is also missing. Fingerprint checks have confirmed that the body found weighed down in the sea was that of Olivia, according to judicial sources cited by El Pais newspaper. The family lived on Tenerife, where officials and a few local residents observed a minute of silence in memory of the sisters in front of the main city hall and outside other official buildings on the Canary Islands. "We are here to denounce a situation that happens more often than it should and to say that enough is enough and that we have to protect women and children, who are victims of male violence," said Nuria Fernández at a protest in Tenerife on Friday. Other protests were organised in Madrid and cities across the country. "All Spain is shocked, all our support for the families whose pain is absolutely unbearable and unimaginable, all our rejection of sexist violence, the vicarious violence that some still deny in our country," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday during a visit to Costa Rica. The body of the six-year-old, which authorities had said was likely that of Olivia, was found on Thursday afternoon at a depth of 1,000 metres (1,090 yards) inside a sports bag tied to an anchor, near where her father's boat was drifting. Another empty sports bag was also found next to them, a court statement said. Authorities were about to call off the maritime search earlier this week when they found personal belongings of the father at sea. On the streets of Tenerife people mourned the girls. "Every mother and grandmother feels the greatest sorrow, mainly for her (the girls' mother). ... It`s as if they were our own daughters or granddaughters," said local resident Maria Victoria. Spain's left-wing government has put women's rights at the top of its political agenda and sought to combat prevailing macho attitudes. In Seville, a former boyfriend of Rocio Caiz, 17, was arrested after he allegedly confessed to killing her and cutting up her body. Almost 1,100 women have been killed by partners or former partners since a register was created in 2003, shortly before a gender violence law was approved, while some 39 children have been killed during attacks on their mothers since 2013. (With inputs from agencies)

Spanish rescuers search sea for missing toddler after girl found dead

Spain coach Luis Enrique said on Thursday he will wait as long as it takes for Sergio Busquets after his positive COVID-19 test, ruling out replacing the midfielder even though he is due to missing the opening Euro 2020 game with Sweden.

It comes as the Spanish&nbsp;Football&nbsp;Federation confirmed that all squad members would be vaccinated on Friday, "allowing the national team to compete on equal terms with other participating teams that have already been immunized".

Enrique had previously expressed concern about the vaccine's potential side effects that could impact his players ahead of Monday's tournament opener. He will now face an anxious wait to see who else might have to miss out against the Swedes.

Busquets, who became captain after Sergio Ramos failed to make the squad, tested positive on Sunday and was sent home to quarantine in Barcelona while the rest of the squad went into isolation.

Luis Enrique has called up a parallel squad to choose from in case anyone is ruled out but he said Busquets, the only surviving member of Spain's 2010 World Cup winners, was worth waiting for.

"I'm going to wait for him, we're all going to wait for him. He has the advantage that he was the first player to test positive and there's still time. I'm certain he'll remain in the squad," Luis Enrique told a news conference.

"Anyone who has watched&nbsp;football&nbsp;in the last 12 years can see what Busquets can contribute, every time the ball passes through him our play improves, he's one of the leaders of this team."

Busquets was still asymptomatic and able to train at home and stay fit, he added.

LLORENTE TO RETURN

Defender Diego Llorente tested positive on Tuesday and was also sent into quarantine. But the Spain team said he was due to return on Friday after negative results in his last two tests, and serious indications he had returned a false positive.

Luis Enrique admitted the results had disrupted the team's preparations but said the setbacks made them even more determined for the tournament, which they won in 2008 and 2012.

"We complied with all the protocols and we were even stricter than UEFA had suggested, but everything changed after the first positive. Everything went downhill from that day," he said.

"But we have the hope of doing something great. We've always adapted to circumstances outside of&nbsp;football&nbsp;and all I can think is that positive and beautiful things await us."

Spain coach Luis Enrique said on Thursday he will wait as long as it takes for Sergio Busquets after his positive COVID-19 test, ruling out replacing the midfielder even though he is due to missing the opening Euro 2020 game with Sweden.

Spain coach Luis Enrique said on Thursday he will wait as long as it takes for Sergio Busquets after his positive COVID-19 test, ruling out replacing the midfielder even though he is due to missing the opening Euro 2020 game with Sweden. It comes as the Spanish Football Federation confirmed that all squad members would be vaccinated on Friday, "allowing the national team to compete on equal terms with other participating teams that have already been immunized". Enrique had previously expressed concern about the vaccine's potential side effects that could impact his players ahead of Monday's tournament opener. He will now face an anxious wait to see who else might have to miss out against the Swedes. Busquets, who became captain after Sergio Ramos failed to make the squad, tested positive on Sunday and was sent home to quarantine in Barcelona while the rest of the squad went into isolation. Luis Enrique has called up a parallel squad to choose from in case anyone is ruled out but he said Busquets, the only surviving member of Spain's 2010 World Cup winners, was worth waiting for. "I'm going to wait for him, we're all going to wait for him. He has the advantage that he was the first player to test positive and there's still time. I'm certain he'll remain in the squad," Luis Enrique told a news conference. "Anyone who has watched football in the last 12 years can see what Busquets can contribute, every time the ball passes through him our play improves, he's one of the leaders of this team." Busquets was still asymptomatic and able to train at home and stay fit, he added. LLORENTE TO RETURN Defender Diego Llorente tested positive on Tuesday and was also sent into quarantine. But the Spain team said he was due to return on Friday after negative results in his last two tests, and serious indications he had returned a false positive. Luis Enrique admitted the results had disrupted the team's preparations but said the setbacks made them even more determined for the tournament, which they won in 2008 and 2012. "We complied with all the protocols and we were even stricter than UEFA had suggested, but everything changed after the first positive. Everything went downhill from that day," he said. "But we have the hope of doing something great. We've always adapted to circumstances outside of football and all I can think is that positive and beautiful things await us."

Football: Spain will wait for Sergio Busquets, says coach Luis Enrique

Singapore has found the Delta variant of the coronavirus to be the most prevalent among local cases of variants of concern (VOCs), according to health ministry data, highlighting its level of infectiousness.

There were 449 local cases with VOCs as of May 31, of which 428 were the Delta variant first detected in India and nine of the Beta variant first identified in South Africa, the health ministry said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.

Singapore authorities first reported the presence locally of the Delta variant in early May.

The Delta variant is stoking concern of a major spike in infections in other countries where it has been found, such as the United Kingdom, potentially delaying reopening plans after the rollout of vaccines in many regions.

Singapore performs viral genomic sequencing for all confirmed COVID-19 cases, unlike some countries that typically sequence a smaller proportion of their infections.

A recent rise in cases, including those linked to the Delta variant, prompted Singapore to tighten curbs on social gatherings last month. It reported 476 domestically transmitted cases during May.

Infections have been falling since, with only 2 cases on Wednesday, the lowest since early May, ahead of possible easing of measures after June 13. Singapore's mass vaccination programme is in full swing.

The city-state has reported more than 62,000 coronavirus cases overall, domestically transmitted and imported, with 34 deaths.

Singapore has found the Delta variant of the coronavirus to be the most prevalent among local cases of variants of concern (VOCs), according to health ministry data, highlighting its level of infectiousness.

Singapore has found the Delta variant of the coronavirus to be the most prevalent among local cases of variants of concern (VOCs), according to health ministry data, highlighting its level of infectiousness. There were 449 local cases with VOCs as of May 31, of which 428 were the Delta variant first detected in India and nine of the Beta variant first identified in South Africa, the health ministry said in an emailed statement on Wednesday. Singapore authorities first reported the presence locally of the Delta variant in early May. The Delta variant is stoking concern of a major spike in infections in other countries where it has been found, such as the United Kingdom, potentially delaying reopening plans after the rollout of vaccines in many regions. Singapore performs viral genomic sequencing for all confirmed COVID-19 cases, unlike some countries that typically sequence a smaller proportion of their infections. A recent rise in cases, including those linked to the Delta variant, prompted Singapore to tighten curbs on social gatherings last month. It reported 476 domestically transmitted cases during May. Infections have been falling since, with only 2 cases on Wednesday, the lowest since early May, ahead of possible easing of measures after June 13. Singapore's mass vaccination programme is in full swing. The city-state has reported more than 62,000 coronavirus cases overall, domestically transmitted and imported, with 34 deaths.

COVID-19: Singapore finds delta most prevalent among coronavirus variants locally

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been added to Spain's training squad as they prepare for any potential fall-out from captain Sergio Busquets's positive COVID-19 test ahead of the European Championship.

After Busquets tested positive, the remaining 23 players went into isolation along with the coaching staff, meaning an Under-21 side led by coach age-group Luis de la Fuente will face Lithuania on Tuesday in what was supposed to be the nation's final warm-up game before the Euros.

On Monday, Spain boss Luis Enrique called up Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Brais Mendez (Celta Vigo), Pablo Fornals (West Ham) and Raul Albiol as potential cover should there be an outbreak.

Arrizabalaga and the five others will train in what Spain are calling a "parallel bubble" away from the main Euros squad with a view to them being added should the need occur.

The Spanish FA also confirmed on Monday that all the players and staff who are currently isolating tested negative, but will continue to train alone ahead of next Monday's Group E opener against Sweden in Seville.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been added to Spain's training squad as they prepare for any potential fall-out from captain Sergio Busquets's positive COVID-19 test ahead of the European Championship.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been added to Spain's training squad as they prepare for any potential fall-out from captain Sergio Busquets's positive COVID-19 test ahead of the European Championship. After Busquets tested positive, the remaining 23 players went into isolation along with the coaching staff, meaning an Under-21 side led by coach age-group Luis de la Fuente will face Lithuania on Tuesday in what was supposed to be the nation's final warm-up game before the Euros. On Monday, Spain boss Luis Enrique called up Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Brais Mendez (Celta Vigo), Pablo Fornals (West Ham) and Raul Albiol as potential cover should there be an outbreak. Arrizabalaga and the five others will train in what Spain are calling a "parallel bubble" away from the main Euros squad with a view to them being added should the need occur. The Spanish FA also confirmed on Monday that all the players and staff who are currently isolating tested negative, but will continue to train alone ahead of next Monday's Group E opener against Sweden in Seville.

Football: Kepa Arrizabalaga added to Spain training squad amid COVID concerns

Spain has called up five players to take part in a parallel training bubble following captain Sergio Busquets's positive COVID-19 test, the team said on Monday.

They later confirmed that the other squad members and backroom staff had all tested negative and trained individually earlier in the day.

The additions - Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds United), Pablo Fornals (West Ham United), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Brais Mendez (Celta Vigo), and Raul Albiol (Villarreal) - will not stay at Spain's Las Rozas training base or be involved with the rest of the squad.

"As a provision to the possible consequences that could come from Sergio Busquets's positive test, the coaching staff has decided to call up a group of four players to complement the training sessions over the next few days under the guidance of (manager) Luis Enrique in a parallel bubble," Spain said in a statement.

Spain is due to face Lithuania in a friendly on Tuesday with their Under-21 squad, who have just finished playing in their own European Championship where they reached the semi-finals, and coach Luis de la Fuente stepping in to fill the gap left by the isolating senior set-up.

"Once the game with Lithuania has finished, a small group of players yet to be determined will join training in a similar fashion to the aforementioned new group.

"Their incorporation into the squad for Euro 2020 will depend on the results that come back over the next few days."

Spain plays Sweden in their Group E opener next Monday.

Spain has called up five players to take part in a parallel training bubble following captain Sergio Busquets's positive COVID-19 test, the team said on Monday. They later confirmed that the other squad members and backroom staff had all tested negative and trained individually earlier in the day.

Spain has called up five players to take part in a parallel training bubble following captain Sergio Busquets's positive COVID-19 test, the team said on Monday. They later confirmed that the other squad members and backroom staff had all tested negative and trained individually earlier in the day. The additions - Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds United), Pablo Fornals (West Ham United), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Brais Mendez (Celta Vigo), and Raul Albiol (Villarreal) - will not stay at Spain's Las Rozas training base or be involved with the rest of the squad. "As a provision to the possible consequences that could come from Sergio Busquets's positive test, the coaching staff has decided to call up a group of four players to complement the training sessions over the next few days under the guidance of (manager) Luis Enrique in a parallel bubble," Spain said in a statement. Spain is due to face Lithuania in a friendly on Tuesday with their Under-21 squad, who have just finished playing in their own European Championship where they reached the semi-finals, and coach Luis de la Fuente stepping in to fill the gap left by the isolating senior set-up. "Once the game with Lithuania has finished, a small group of players yet to be determined will join training in a similar fashion to the aforementioned new group. "Their incorporation into the squad for Euro 2020 will depend on the results that come back over the next few days." Spain plays Sweden in their Group E opener next Monday.

Football: Spain call up five extra players after captain tests COVID-19 positive

Russia on Moday formally quit the Open Skies treaty with the US after the legislation was passed by both houses of the Russian parliament and the formal stamp of approval was given by President Putin.

In Nigeria, the government ordered all TV and radio stations to immediately stop using Twitter just days after the government suspended the micro-blogging site from the country "indefinitely" after the platform suspended President Muhammadu Buhari’s account following an "abusive" civil war tweet.

Meanwhile, Spain welcomed vaccinated foreign tourists from across the world as it opened its borders in a bid to boost the tourism sector hit hard due to the pandemic.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-formally-exits-from-open-skies-pact-with-us-after-putins-approval-389947">Russia formally exits from Open Skies pact with US after Putin's approval</a> 
<img alt="Putin-Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="23886654-9eb2-40e2-998e-713126adf63f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/PP1.jpg" />

The Open Skies treaty which had come into effect on January 1, 2002, allowed both countries to conduct unarmed surveillance flights over military installations.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unpatriotic-nigeria-government-orders-media-houses-to-stop-using-twitter-389980">'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter</a>

<img alt="Twitter" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a26e4858-5b44-4ccb-af77-cdac26ed37f6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/T1.jpg" />

The order has come a few days after the Nigerian government suspended Twitter from the country ‘indefinitely’ after the platform suspended President Muhammadu Buhari’s account following an 'abusive' civil war tweet.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-opens-borders-to-vaccinated-travellers-as-tourists-begin-arriving-389994">Spain opens borders to vaccinated travellers as tourists begin arriving</a>

<img alt="Spain" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3d3e6a3c-ac5e-438d-abcb-1fa83688b52b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Tourists1.jpg" />

Spain had earlier allowed tourists from ten non-EU countries to enter without a negative COVID-19 PCR test which included Britain, &nbsp;Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moderna-awaiting-approval-of-coronavirus-vaccine-for-teens-in-eu-canada-389997">Moderna awaiting approval of coronavirus vaccine for teens in EU, Canada</a>

<img alt="Moderna" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77d4c742-d3e6-43e8-a5d8-9a5e20f57a84" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/MM.jpg" />

The US pharmaceutical company is also planning to file for emergency approval in the US with the Food and Drug Administration.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-chief-jeff-bezos-his-brother-to-fly-to-space-on-blue-origin-flight-389985">Amazon chief Jeff Bezos &amp; his brother to fly to space on Blue Origin flight</a>

<img alt="Bezos" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="354e866e-39de-47df-930e-f21249ddb1dc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Amazon11.jpg" />

Bezos will be stepping down from&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;next month, the company he built from scratch into a retail giant.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-police-using-drones-to-check-body-temperature-in-public-places-389944">Malaysia: Police using drones to check body temperature in public places</a>

<img alt="Drones" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8e69f491-cf02-4584-bfda-84c9841e4730" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/DD1.jpg" />

The drones can detect high temperatures as high as 20 metres above ground.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/plane-with-kamala-harris-on-board-forced-to-turn-around-after-technical-issue-389840">Plane with Kamala Harris on board forced to turn around after 'technical issue'</a>

<img alt="Kamala Harris" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8bf805-fbc5-4c5b-9727-7837e8719d0e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harris1.jpg" />

US Vice President Kamala Harris, after exiting the plane when it returned to Joint Base Andrews on the outskirts of Washington, said: "We all said a little prayer, but we're good."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-accusations-of-genocide-from-the-west-china-policies-could-cut-millions-of-uyghur-births-in-xinjiang-report-389838">&nbsp;China policies could cut millions of Uyghur births in Xinjiang: Report</a> 
&nbsp;

<img alt="Uyghur" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5afd00f7-7e9a-48a9-8bd7-5eff7b059363" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/U.jpg" />

The Chinese government has not made public any official target for reducing the proportion of Uyghur and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/30-killed-50-injured-as-passenger-trains-collide-in-pakistans-sindh-province-389852">30 killed, 50 injured as passenger trains collide in Pakistan's Sindh province</a>

<img alt="Sindh train accident" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="10ca1920-34b7-434b-bb22-29f62531bd5f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/20.jpg" />

Sir Syed Express train, which was heading towards Lahore collided with the Millat Express which was derailed on the way to Sargodha from Karachi.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-pm-oli-says-misunderstandings-with-india-resolved-389932">Nepal PM Oli says 'misunderstandings' with India resolved</a>

<img alt="PM Oli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="92c7817d-56cd-4de4-b370-e1c36318446c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Oli1.jpg" />

Oli, in a televised address to the nation last month, said that the outstanding issues relating to the border issue with India will be resolved through diplomatic channels.&nbsp;

Russia on Moday formally quit the Open Skies treaty with the US after the legislation was passed by both houses of the Russian parliament and the formal stamp of approval was given by President Putin.

Russia on Moday formally quit the Open Skies treaty with the US after the legislation was passed by both houses of the Russian parliament and the formal stamp of approval was given by President Putin. In Nigeria, the government ordered all TV and radio stations to immediately stop using Twitter just days after the government suspended the micro-blogging site from the country "indefinitely" after the platform suspended President Muhammadu Buhari’s account following an "abusive" civil war tweet. Meanwhile, Spain welcomed vaccinated foreign tourists from across the world as it opened its borders in a bid to boost the tourism sector hit hard due to the pandemic. Click on headlines to read more Russia formally exits from Open Skies pact with US after Putin's approval The Open Skies treaty which had come into effect on January 1, 2002, allowed both countries to conduct unarmed surveillance flights over military installations. 'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter The order has come a few days after the Nigerian government suspended Twitter from the country ‘indefinitely’ after the platform suspended President Muhammadu Buhari’s account following an 'abusive' civil war tweet. Spain opens borders to vaccinated travellers as tourists begin arriving Spain had earlier allowed tourists from ten non-EU countries to enter without a negative COVID-19 PCR test which included Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. Moderna awaiting approval of coronavirus vaccine for teens in EU, Canada The US pharmaceutical company is also planning to file for emergency approval in the US with the Food and Drug Administration. Amazon chief Jeff Bezos & his brother to fly to space on Blue Origin flight Bezos will be stepping down from Amazon next month, the company he built from scratch into a retail giant. Malaysia: Police using drones to check body temperature in public places The drones can detect high temperatures as high as 20 metres above ground. Plane with Kamala Harris on board forced to turn around after 'technical issue' US Vice President Kamala Harris, after exiting the plane when it returned to Joint Base Andrews on the outskirts of Washington, said: "We all said a little prayer, but we're good." China policies could cut millions of Uyghur births in Xinjiang: Report The Chinese government has not made public any official target for reducing the proportion of Uyghur and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. 30 killed, 50 injured as passenger trains collide in Pakistan's Sindh province Sir Syed Express train, which was heading towards Lahore collided with the Millat Express which was derailed on the way to Sargodha from Karachi. Nepal PM Oli says 'misunderstandings' with India resolved Oli, in a televised address to the nation last month, said that the outstanding issues relating to the border issue with India will be resolved through diplomatic channels.

Top 10 world news: Russia exits from Open Skies; Spain opens borders to vaccinated tourists & more

Spain coach Luis Enrique implored fans not to boo players after they were left frustrated by Friday's 0-0 draw with Portugal.

With fans back in attendance at an international game in the country for the first time in over 15 months, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced matches to be played behind closed doors, they wasted little time in getting their voices heard.

But when they started to sing songs criticising forward Alvaro Morata after he missed a gilt-edged chance to win the game in stoppage time, it did not go down well with the Spanish coach.

Luis Enrique was also on the receiving end of some criticism and acknowledged it was part of the job - but asked the fans to get behind the squad ahead of the European Championship, which kicks off next Friday.

"(Morata) gave his all, pressing high and creating a lot of danger. What he did was for getting off your seat and applauding," Luis Enrique told a news conference.

"He ran 40 metres, gave the keeper the eyes and just had a bit of bad luck that he hit the bar. Your hands should be hurting from applauding him.

"I love it when fans boo me, but I really don't like it when they do it to the players."

Spain coach Luis Enrique implored fans not to boo players after they were left frustrated by Friday's 0-0 draw with Portugal. With fans back in attendance at an international game in the country for the first time in over 15 months, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced matches to be played behind closed doors, they wasted little time in getting their voices heard.

Spain coach Luis Enrique implored fans not to boo players after they were left frustrated by Friday's 0-0 draw with Portugal. With fans back in attendance at an international game in the country for the first time in over 15 months, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced matches to be played behind closed doors, they wasted little time in getting their voices heard. But when they started to sing songs criticising forward Alvaro Morata after he missed a gilt-edged chance to win the game in stoppage time, it did not go down well with the Spanish coach. Luis Enrique was also on the receiving end of some criticism and acknowledged it was part of the job - but asked the fans to get behind the squad ahead of the European Championship, which kicks off next Friday. "(Morata) gave his all, pressing high and creating a lot of danger. What he did was for getting off your seat and applauding," Luis Enrique told a news conference. "He ran 40 metres, gave the keeper the eyes and just had a bit of bad luck that he hit the bar. Your hands should be hurting from applauding him. "I love it when fans boo me, but I really don't like it when they do it to the players."

Football: Spain coach Luis Enrique wants fans to stop booing players

Even as the world remains delicately placed when it comes to the COVID-19 crisis, the Americas and Europe have shown the maximum number of cases, followed by Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) data.&nbsp; 
 
The data showed that the Americas reported 67,594, 259 cases, with Europe registering 54,400, 840 cases followed by South East Asia at 32,075,662.

Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City will be testing the entire population as cases surge. The city has also undergone a lockdown.&nbsp;

Vietnam's envoy Pham Sahn Chau told WION, "Vietnam is facing the 4th COVID-19 wave within 18 months of the inception of the&nbsp;pandemic. In the previous wave, we only got 1600 cases, but from 27th April until now, we have near 4000 cases, basically 150-200 cases a day".

The new wave has led to surges in countries like Malaysia, Nepal, Bahrain, but South America seems to be a new hot spot with Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Paraguay witnessing surges. The majority of these countries have declared lockdown, and the Copa America football tournament has been moved out of Argentina due to the surge.

Slovenia's envoy to India, Dr Marjan Cencen told WION, that the second wave "saw many more infections" and "people started to understand what is going on" since the virus was not seriously taken, adding, "the virus is still unpredictable".

While India has the second-largest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases, the numbers are coming down. India reported 134,000 daily new cases in the last 24 hours, which is less than 200,000 daily new cases for the last seven consecutive days.&nbsp;

New Delhi is also working on the vaccination, with authorities administering more than 220 million vaccine doses under the National Covid Vaccination Drive.

Even as the world remains delicately placed when it comes to the COVID-19 crisis, the Americas and Europe have shown the maximum number of cases, followed by Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) data.

Even as the world remains delicately placed when it comes to the COVID-19 crisis, the Americas and Europe have shown the maximum number of cases, followed by Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) data. The data showed that the Americas reported 67,594, 259 cases, with Europe registering 54,400, 840 cases followed by South East Asia at 32,075,662. Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City will be testing the entire population as cases surge. The city has also undergone a lockdown. Vietnam's envoy Pham Sahn Chau told WION, "Vietnam is facing the 4th COVID-19 wave within 18 months of the inception of the pandemic. In the previous wave, we only got 1600 cases, but from 27th April until now, we have near 4000 cases, basically 150-200 cases a day". The new wave has led to surges in countries like Malaysia, Nepal, Bahrain, but South America seems to be a new hot spot with Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Paraguay witnessing surges. The majority of these countries have declared lockdown, and the Copa America football tournament has been moved out of Argentina due to the surge. Slovenia's envoy to India, Dr Marjan Cencen told WION, that the second wave "saw many more infections" and "people started to understand what is going on" since the virus was not seriously taken, adding, "the virus is still unpredictable". While India has the second-largest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases, the numbers are coming down. India reported 134,000 daily new cases in the last 24 hours, which is less than 200,000 daily new cases for the last seven consecutive days. New Delhi is also working on the vaccination, with authorities administering more than 220 million vaccine doses under the National Covid Vaccination Drive.

COVID-19 cases hotspots emerge globally as worries mount

The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 171 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.55 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. 
 
In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University`s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 171,034,625 and 3,557,281, respectively. 
 
The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 33,287,110 and 595,207, respectively, according to the CSSE. 
 
In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 28,175,044 cases. 
 
The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (16,624,480), France (5,738,641), Turkey (5,256,516), Russia (5,022,881), the UK (4,506,333), Italy (4,220,304), Argentina (3,817,139), Germany (3,692,908), Spain (3,682,778) and Colombia (3,432,422), the CSSE figures showed. 
 
In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 465,199 fatalities. 
 
Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are India (331,895), Mexico (223,568), the UK (128,045), Italy (126,221), Russia (119,830) and France (109,824).

The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 171 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.55 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University`s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 171,034,625 and 3,557,281, respectively.

The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 171 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.55 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University`s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 171,034,625 and 3,557,281, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 33,287,110 and 595,207, respectively, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 28,175,044 cases. The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (16,624,480), France (5,738,641), Turkey (5,256,516), Russia (5,022,881), the UK (4,506,333), Italy (4,220,304), Argentina (3,817,139), Germany (3,692,908), Spain (3,682,778) and Colombia (3,432,422), the CSSE figures showed. In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 465,199 fatalities. Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are India (331,895), Mexico (223,568), the UK (128,045), Italy (126,221), Russia (119,830) and France (109,824).

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 171 million, death toll at 3,557,281

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday announced that the country would move to lockdown level-2 on Monday (May 31) after coronavirus cases continued surging amid increasing fears of a third wave of the pandemic.

“Based on the recommendation on the sustained increase in new cases in the last 14 days, increased hospital admissions in almost all provinces...Cabinet has therefore decided that the country will be placed on Adjusted Alert Level 2 with effect from tomorrow,” Ramaphosa said. 
&nbsp; 
The provinces of Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Gauteng have reached the threshold of the third wave of infections. “It may only be a matter of time before the country as a whole will have entered the third wave,” he said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"Under level 2 lockdown, hours of curfew will start at 11 pm and end at 4 am. Restaurants, bars, gyms to close at 10 pm," Ramaphosa said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Further, funerals will remain restricted to no more than 100 people, and as before, night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and after-tears gatherings are not allowed, he added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Further restrictions are necessary to ensure that health facilities are not overwhelmed and that lives that could be saved are not lost. Delaying the spread of the virus is especially important now to allow as many people as possible to be vaccinated before the third wave peaks,” Ramaphosa said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
He urged people to continue maintaining social distance and wear the mask.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces. It is a criminal offence not to do so,” he said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
VACCINES 
&nbsp; 
South Africa has vaccinated nearly 480,000 health workers during the first phase and more than 67 per cent of public health workers have been vaccinated with Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, he reported.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Over the last two weeks, over 480,000 people have received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine as part of the public vaccination campaign, he added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Over 960,000 people in South Africa have received one vaccine dose, the President said adding that within the next few days, it would have administered vaccine doses to more than one million of the most vulnerable South Africans.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Ramaphosa reiterated that the country has secured enough vaccines to reach all adults in the country, which is around 40 million people.&nbsp;This includes 31 million doses of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, which will be manufactured in South Africa and 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two doses to provide full protection. 
&nbsp; 
The president also said that in the African continent, they are pushing ahead with efforts to expand vaccine manufacturing capacity to be self-sufficient in vaccine production. 
&nbsp; 
“We are continuing to urge all countries to support a waiver of the TRIPS agreement at the World Trade Organisation so that COVID-19 vaccines and treatments can be produced on a greater scale, at lower cost and a faster pace,” Ramaphosa said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday announced that the country would move to lockdown level-2 on Monday (May 31) after coronavirus cases continued surging amid increasing fears of a third wave of the pandemic.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday announced that the country would move to lockdown level-2 on Monday (May 31) after coronavirus cases continued surging amid increasing fears of a third wave of the pandemic. “Based on the recommendation on the sustained increase in new cases in the last 14 days, increased hospital admissions in almost all provinces...Cabinet has therefore decided that the country will be placed on Adjusted Alert Level 2 with effect from tomorrow,” Ramaphosa said. The provinces of Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Gauteng have reached the threshold of the third wave of infections. “It may only be a matter of time before the country as a whole will have entered the third wave,” he said. "Under level 2 lockdown, hours of curfew will start at 11 pm and end at 4 am. Restaurants, bars, gyms to close at 10 pm," Ramaphosa said. Further, funerals will remain restricted to no more than 100 people, and as before, night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and after-tears gatherings are not allowed, he added. “Further restrictions are necessary to ensure that health facilities are not overwhelmed and that lives that could be saved are not lost. Delaying the spread of the virus is especially important now to allow as many people as possible to be vaccinated before the third wave peaks,” Ramaphosa said. He urged people to continue maintaining social distance and wear the mask. “It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces. It is a criminal offence not to do so,” he said. VACCINES South Africa has vaccinated nearly 480,000 health workers during the first phase and more than 67 per cent of public health workers have been vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson vaccine, he reported. Over the last two weeks, over 480,000 people have received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine as part of the public vaccination campaign, he added. Over 960,000 people in South Africa have received one vaccine dose, the President said adding that within the next few days, it would have administered vaccine doses to more than one million of the most vulnerable South Africans. Ramaphosa reiterated that the country has secured enough vaccines to reach all adults in the country, which is around 40 million people. This includes 31 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which will be manufactured in South Africa and 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two doses to provide full protection. The president also said that in the African continent, they are pushing ahead with efforts to expand vaccine manufacturing capacity to be self-sufficient in vaccine production. “We are continuing to urge all countries to support a waiver of the TRIPS agreement at the World Trade Organisation so that COVID-19 vaccines and treatments can be produced on a greater scale, at lower cost and a faster pace,” Ramaphosa said.

South Africa moves to stricter COVID-19 lockdown amid fears of third wave

Serrana, a city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, has seen a 95% drop in COVID-19 deaths after it concluded vaccination of almost all adults, TV Globo reported on Sunday. 
 
With 45,000 inhabitants Serrana is a healthy oasis in Brazil, which has the world`s second-deadliest outbreak with more than 461,000 deaths so far and a very slow immunization pace due to the lack of vaccines. 
 
Serrana was the subject of a study by Instituto Butantan, which produces the Coronavac vaccine developed by China`s Sinovac Biotech in Brazil. 
 
When vaccination was starting, the city had an increase in COVID cases, but the spread of the virus was contained once 75% of the population was immunized, scientists found. 
 
Scientists divided the city into four areas to try to understand which was the threshold to contain the spread of the virus and found that it was controlled after three areas received the second dose. 
 
The number of symptomatic cases fell 80%, and hospitalizations 86%. COVID deaths fell 95%, according to data given by Butantan to TV Globo. 
 
Serrana is surrounded by cities that are still dealing with a spike in COVID cases. Ribeirao Preto, 15 miles away from Serrana, is going through a lockdown to try to contain the spread of COVID-19. 
 
A similar experiment is underway in another city in Sao Paulo, Brazil`s richest state. The city of Botucatu expects to immunize most of its 148,000 inhabitants with the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

Serrana, a city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, has seen a 95% drop in COVID-19 deaths after it concluded vaccination of almost all adults, TV Globo reported on Sunday.

Serrana, a city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, has seen a 95% drop in COVID-19 deaths after it concluded vaccination of almost all adults, TV Globo reported on Sunday. With 45,000 inhabitants Serrana is a healthy oasis in Brazil, which has the world`s second-deadliest outbreak with more than 461,000 deaths so far and a very slow immunization pace due to the lack of vaccines. Serrana was the subject of a study by Instituto Butantan, which produces the Coronavac vaccine developed by China`s Sinovac Biotech in Brazil. When vaccination was starting, the city had an increase in COVID cases, but the spread of the virus was contained once 75% of the population was immunized, scientists found. Scientists divided the city into four areas to try to understand which was the threshold to contain the spread of the virus and found that it was controlled after three areas received the second dose. The number of symptomatic cases fell 80%, and hospitalizations 86%. COVID deaths fell 95%, according to data given by Butantan to TV Globo. Serrana is surrounded by cities that are still dealing with a spike in COVID cases. Ribeirao Preto, 15 miles away from Serrana, is going through a lockdown to try to contain the spread of COVID-19. A similar experiment is underway in another city in Sao Paulo, Brazil`s richest state. The city of Botucatu expects to immunize most of its 148,000 inhabitants with the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

Mass vaccination creates healthy oasis in Brazilian city

A team from Johns Hopkins conducted a new study to understand that how long-term exposure to air pollution can rob someone of the ability to smell and taste and lead a person in the state of 'anosmia'.

Anosmia is a condition of partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. This can severely impact a person's quality of life, making it extremely difficult to taste foods, detect airborne hazards in the environment, and carry out other functions dependent on the senses.

They found long-term airborne exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of losing one's smell by nearly twice (a 1.6- to 1.7-fold increase).

"Based on this result, we feel that long-term exposure to high levels of PM2.5 represents a common risk factor for the loss of sense of smell, especially in vulnerable populations such as older people—but also one that is potentially modifiable if sources of PM2.5 components can be better controlled," said lead author Murugappan Ramanathan, rhinologist and associate professor of otolaryngology at the University's School of Medicine.

In their study, the researchers looked at 2,690 people, aged 18 and older, who were evaluated by otolaryngologists between January 2013 and December 2016. Of these, 538 were diagnosed with anosmia, with an average age of 54 and with men making up the majority (339 or 63 per cent).

Exposure to PM2.5 has been already linked to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, the decline in cognitive thinking ability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and premature death.

Meanwhile, the overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 170.1 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.53 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Monday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 170,174,444 and 3,537,835, respectively.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,258,547 and 594,430, respectively, according to the CSSE.

(With inputs from agencies)

A team from Johns Hopkins conducted a new study to understand that how long-term exposure to air pollution can rob someone of the ability to smell and taste and lead a person in the state of 'anosmia'.

A team from Johns Hopkins conducted a new study to understand that how long-term exposure to air pollution can rob someone of the ability to smell and taste and lead a person in the state of 'anosmia'. Anosmia is a condition of partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. This can severely impact a person's quality of life, making it extremely difficult to taste foods, detect airborne hazards in the environment, and carry out other functions dependent on the senses. They found long-term airborne exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of losing one's smell by nearly twice (a 1.6- to 1.7-fold increase). "Based on this result, we feel that long-term exposure to high levels of PM2.5 represents a common risk factor for the loss of sense of smell, especially in vulnerable populations such as older people—but also one that is potentially modifiable if sources of PM2.5 components can be better controlled," said lead author Murugappan Ramanathan, rhinologist and associate professor of otolaryngology at the University's School of Medicine. In their study, the researchers looked at 2,690 people, aged 18 and older, who were evaluated by otolaryngologists between January 2013 and December 2016. Of these, 538 were diagnosed with anosmia, with an average age of 54 and with men making up the majority (339 or 63 per cent). Exposure to PM2.5 has been already linked to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, the decline in cognitive thinking ability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and premature death. Meanwhile, the overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 170.1 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.53 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Monday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 170,174,444 and 3,537,835, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,258,547 and 594,430, respectively, according to the CSSE. (With inputs from agencies)

Prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause 'anosmia': Study

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles on Saturday denounced as "unacceptable" Morocco's use of young people to violate Spain's borders following a record influx of arrivals early last week.&nbsp;

"One thing is clear: when minors are used as an instrument to breach Spain's territorial borders, this is unacceptable," she told RTVE public television at a ceremony to mark armed forces day.

Spain and Morocco have been locked in a diplomatic spat over Western Sahara, which set off a chain of events that last week saw up to 10,000 mainly young people cross into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta as Moroccan guards looked the other way.

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The arrivals overwhelmed the tiny enclave and although most have been sent back, there are still more than 800 mostly Moroccan minors in Ceuta, where the authorities are working around the clock to track down their parents.&nbsp;

The incident has sparked a war of words between Madrid and Rabat, with Robles last week accusing Morocco of "aggression" and "blackmail".&nbsp;

"It's unacceptable from any point of view, whether you're talking international law or humanitarian law," she said on Saturday.&nbsp;

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"No country acting in a spirit of good neighbourliness could use minors in that way."

Spain, she said, had always been "one of Morocco's main supporters, but we demand respect from Morocco... because that is key to coexistence."

Madrid said 1,500 of the arrivals were minors while Amnesty International gave a figure of 2,000. Ceuta has accused Rabat of using "manipulative tricks" to encourage youngsters to cross to put pressure on Spain over Western Sahara.&nbsp;

The influx was made possible because Moroccan border forces deliberately looked the other way in what was widely understood as a punitive gesture after Spain offered hospital treatment to the leader of Western Sahara's independence movement.&nbsp;

Spain's two tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have Europe's only land border with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants desperate to escape grinding poverty and hunger.&nbsp;

The huge influx of people had triggered fears of an upsurge in COVID-19 infection, but by Friday, that number stood at just 39 imported cases, health ministry figures showed.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles on Saturday denounced as "unacceptable" Morocco's use of young people to violate Spain's borders following a record influx of arrivals early last week.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles on Saturday denounced as "unacceptable" Morocco's use of young people to violate Spain's borders following a record influx of arrivals early last week. "One thing is clear: when minors are used as an instrument to breach Spain's territorial borders, this is unacceptable," she told RTVE public television at a ceremony to mark armed forces day. Spain and Morocco have been locked in a diplomatic spat over Western Sahara, which set off a chain of events that last week saw up to 10,000 mainly young people cross into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta as Moroccan guards looked the other way. Also read | France hails 'gentle' policewoman stabbed in attack The arrivals overwhelmed the tiny enclave and although most have been sent back, there are still more than 800 mostly Moroccan minors in Ceuta, where the authorities are working around the clock to track down their parents. The incident has sparked a war of words between Madrid and Rabat, with Robles last week accusing Morocco of "aggression" and "blackmail". "It's unacceptable from any point of view, whether you're talking international law or humanitarian law," she said on Saturday. Also read | Russia approves Air France, Lufthansa routes which avoid Belarus airspace "No country acting in a spirit of good neighbourliness could use minors in that way." Spain, she said, had always been "one of Morocco's main supporters, but we demand respect from Morocco... because that is key to coexistence." Madrid said 1,500 of the arrivals were minors while Amnesty International gave a figure of 2,000. Ceuta has accused Rabat of using "manipulative tricks" to encourage youngsters to cross to put pressure on Spain over Western Sahara. The influx was made possible because Moroccan border forces deliberately looked the other way in what was widely understood as a punitive gesture after Spain offered hospital treatment to the leader of Western Sahara's independence movement. Spain's two tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have Europe's only land border with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants desperate to escape grinding poverty and hunger. The huge influx of people had triggered fears of an upsurge in COVID-19 infection, but by Friday, that number stood at just 39 imported cases, health ministry figures showed.

Spain says Morocco's use of minors to breach border 'unacceptable'

International cruise ships will be able to dock in Spanish ports from June 7, the Spanish government said on Saturday, lifting a ban imposed when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The measure will be lifted due to the easing of the virus in Europe where most cruise passengers come from, as well as rising vaccination numbers, a transport ministry statement said.&nbsp;

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It was also due to the falling numbers of virus cases in regions where most cruise ships dock.

The ban was first imposed in mid-March 2020 and later took the form of a resolution which was published on June 23 by Spain's Directorate General of Shipping (DGMM).&nbsp;

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Before the pandemic, Spain was Europe's second-most popular destination for cruise ship stopovers, the ministry said, indicating it played an important economic role for the Spanish economy.&nbsp;

In 2019, international cruises contributed around 2.8 billion euros ($3.4 billion)to Spain's GDP, accounting for some 50,000 jobs and 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in wages, the ministry said, citing figures from the Cruise Lines International Association.&nbsp;

With nearly 80,000 deaths and more than 3.6 million infections, Spain has been badly hit by the pandemic but the number of cases has slowed significantly as its vaccination programme has gathered pace.

International cruise ships will be able to dock in Spanish ports from June 7, the Spanish government said on Saturday, lifting a ban imposed when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

International cruise ships will be able to dock in Spanish ports from June 7, the Spanish government said on Saturday, lifting a ban imposed when the COVID-19 pandemic began. The measure will be lifted due to the easing of the virus in Europe where most cruise passengers come from, as well as rising vaccination numbers, a transport ministry statement said. Also read | Major cruise lines to restart voyages for vaccinated passengers It was also due to the falling numbers of virus cases in regions where most cruise ships dock. The ban was first imposed in mid-March 2020 and later took the form of a resolution which was published on June 23 by Spain's Directorate General of Shipping (DGMM). Also read | US cruise ships could sail again by July: CDC Before the pandemic, Spain was Europe's second-most popular destination for cruise ship stopovers, the ministry said, indicating it played an important economic role for the Spanish economy. In 2019, international cruises contributed around 2.8 billion euros ($3.4 billion)to Spain's GDP, accounting for some 50,000 jobs and 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in wages, the ministry said, citing figures from the Cruise Lines International Association. With nearly 80,000 deaths and more than 3.6 million infections, Spain has been badly hit by the pandemic but the number of cases has slowed significantly as its vaccination programme has gathered pace.

Spain lifts ban on cruise ship arrivals from June 7

Spain has accused Morocco of blackmail - after 8,000 migrants tried to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta this week. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how a diplomatic spat triggered a migrant crisis for Spain.

Gravitas: A migration crisis in Spain, triggered by a diplomatic spat

Spain has accused Morocco of blackmail as thousands of migrants from the country arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Migrant Crisis In Spain's Ceuta: Migrant drowns while trying to enter Ceuta

The migrant crisis at the Spain-Morocco border has escalated within the past few days. Violent clashes, tear gas, hypothermia, nothing seems to stop the migrants from fleeing Morocco. Let's get you some voices from ground zero to understand why.

Why are Moroccans trying to enter Europe?

The Bangladeshi government has approved the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines from China. Bangladesh`s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the highest body to deal with economic issues, in a meeting has approved the purchase. 
 
Shahida Akhtar, a senior Cabinet Division official, told journalists after the meeting on Wednesday that Bangladesh will buy vaccines from China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm), Xinhua news agency reported. 
 
The approval came a week after Bangladesh received a batch of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine donated by China. 
 
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming formally handed over the vaccines to Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque at a ceremony at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka last Wednesday. 
 
The Bangladeshi government has already announced that it will start administering from next week the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine donated by China. 
 
The health minister made the announcement at a press conference Monday, saying "health professionals on the frontline of the fight against the pandemic will receive the doses beginning May 25 or 26". 
 
Bangladesh suspended administering the first dose of the vaccine on April 26 after India halted export to tackle its own crisis. 
 
Subsequently, the country`s drug regulator authorized the emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccines. 
 
Bangladesh kicked off the Covid-19 vaccination drive on January 28 to rein in the pandemic that has so far spread across the country. 
 
A total of 5.82 million people in Bangladesh have so far received the first dose of the vaccine. 
 
On Wednesday, the country`s Directorate General of Health Services reported 1,608 new cases of Covid-19 and 37 new deaths, bringing the number of total cases to 783,737 and the total death toll to 12,248.

The Bangladeshi government has approved the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines from China. Bangladesh`s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the highest body to deal with economic issues, in a meeting has approved the purchase.

The Bangladeshi government has approved the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines from China. Bangladesh`s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the highest body to deal with economic issues, in a meeting has approved the purchase. Shahida Akhtar, a senior Cabinet Division official, told journalists after the meeting on Wednesday that Bangladesh will buy vaccines from China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm), Xinhua news agency reported. The approval came a week after Bangladesh received a batch of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine donated by China. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming formally handed over the vaccines to Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque at a ceremony at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka last Wednesday. The Bangladeshi government has already announced that it will start administering from next week the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine donated by China. The health minister made the announcement at a press conference Monday, saying "health professionals on the frontline of the fight against the pandemic will receive the doses beginning May 25 or 26". Bangladesh suspended administering the first dose of the vaccine on April 26 after India halted export to tackle its own crisis. Subsequently, the country`s drug regulator authorized the emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccines. Bangladesh kicked off the Covid-19 vaccination drive on January 28 to rein in the pandemic that has so far spread across the country. A total of 5.82 million people in Bangladesh have so far received the first dose of the vaccine. On Wednesday, the country`s Directorate General of Health Services reported 1,608 new cases of Covid-19 and 37 new deaths, bringing the number of total cases to 783,737 and the total death toll to 12,248.

Bangladesh approves purchase of Covid vaccines from China

Spain has deployed troops to Ceuta to patrol the border with Morocco after thousands of migrants swam into the northern African enclave amid heightened diplomatic tensions, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Footage from local Faro TV channel showed soldiers in armoured vehicles guarding the enclave's beach as dozens of migrants emerged from the water while hundreds of potential migrants stood on the Moroccan side of the fence between the enclave and Morocco.&nbsp;

Soldiers started patrolling the border along with Spanish police, Grande-Marlaska told state broadcaster TVE. As many as 6,000 Moroccans, including about 1,500 minors, swam into Ceuta on Monday and Tuesday, he said. &nbsp;

A spokesman for Ceuta's government delegation said soldiers will also work with police in sensitive locations within the enclave to maintain order on the streets. &nbsp;

One person died in Monday's crossing, the spokesman said. &nbsp;

The adult arrivals are being transferred to a local football stadium to be deported back to Morocco. About 1,500 have already been handed back, Grande-Marlaska said. &nbsp;

Minors are being sent to an industrial building.&nbsp;

Ceuta, with a population of 80,000, is an enclave located on the northern tip of Morocco across from Gibraltar. &nbsp;

The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and nearby Melilla on Morocco's northern coast have long been a magnet for African migrants trying to reach Europe in search of a better life. &nbsp;

TV channel 24h reported on Tuesday morning that as many as 85 migrants climbed the border fence to break into Melilla, which is located about 300km east of Ceuta.&nbsp;

The arrival of the migrants took place at a time of increased tension between Spain and Morocco over the fate of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Western Sahara's Polisario Front, who is in hospital in Spain.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Spain has deployed troops to Ceuta to patrol the border with Morocco after thousands of migrants swam into the northern African enclave amid heightened diplomatic tensions, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Tuesday.

Spain has deployed troops to Ceuta to patrol the border with Morocco after thousands of migrants swam into the northern African enclave amid heightened diplomatic tensions, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Tuesday. Footage from local Faro TV channel showed soldiers in armoured vehicles guarding the enclave's beach as dozens of migrants emerged from the water while hundreds of potential migrants stood on the Moroccan side of the fence between the enclave and Morocco. Soldiers started patrolling the border along with Spanish police, Grande-Marlaska told state broadcaster TVE. As many as 6,000 Moroccans, including about 1,500 minors, swam into Ceuta on Monday and Tuesday, he said. A spokesman for Ceuta's government delegation said soldiers will also work with police in sensitive locations within the enclave to maintain order on the streets. One person died in Monday's crossing, the spokesman said. The adult arrivals are being transferred to a local football stadium to be deported back to Morocco. About 1,500 have already been handed back, Grande-Marlaska said. Minors are being sent to an industrial building. Ceuta, with a population of 80,000, is an enclave located on the northern tip of Morocco across from Gibraltar. The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and nearby Melilla on Morocco's northern coast have long been a magnet for African migrants trying to reach Europe in search of a better life. TV channel 24h reported on Tuesday morning that as many as 85 migrants climbed the border fence to break into Melilla, which is located about 300km east of Ceuta. The arrival of the migrants took place at a time of increased tension between Spain and Morocco over the fate of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Western Sahara's Polisario Front, who is in hospital in Spain. (With inputs from agencies)

Spain deploys army in Ceuta to patrol border with Morocco after thousands break in 

Spain deployed the military to its border with Morocco after thousands of Moroccans took advantage of their government’s relaxed border controls to swim or paddle in inflatable boats to Spanish soil.

Spain Migrant Crisis: Spain witnesses unprecedented migration

Of the 1.2 million fully vaccinated people in Switzerland, more than 130 people contracted Covid-19 after their second dose. Around 12 cases are being considered fatal, according to the latest data provided by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) on Monday.

The data highlighted the risk of getting infected even after being completely vaccinated against COVID-19.&nbsp;

However, the rate of infections, deaths and hospitalisations in Switzerland has dropped in the past two weeks, health authorities report.

From January 1 to May 14, 134 vaccinees were infected with the deadly virus, with most of them aged 80 and over. Of those infected, 27 people were hospitalized and 12 died.

The lowest number of COVID-19 infections after the vaccination was recorded among people aged 20-29. In this age group, only one man and two women tested positive for COVID-19.

"Since most of the elderly have been vaccinated so far, the number of infections after vaccination is higher in older people. In addition, the effectiveness of the vaccine may decrease with age. We will closely monitor the developments," a FOPH representative told Sputnik, adding that no COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective against the virus.

So far, more than 1.1 million people, or roughly 14% of the population, have been inoculated in Switzerland. The country has approved three vaccines developed by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson, and currently considers AstraZeneca's application.

(With inputs from agencies)

Of the 1.2 million fully vaccinated people in Switzerland, more than 130 people contracted Covid-19 after their second dose. Around 12 cases are being considered fatal, according to the latest data provided by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) on Monday.

Of the 1.2 million fully vaccinated people in Switzerland, more than 130 people contracted Covid-19 after their second dose. Around 12 cases are being considered fatal, according to the latest data provided by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) on Monday. The data highlighted the risk of getting infected even after being completely vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the rate of infections, deaths and hospitalisations in Switzerland has dropped in the past two weeks, health authorities report. From January 1 to May 14, 134 vaccinees were infected with the deadly virus, with most of them aged 80 and over. Of those infected, 27 people were hospitalized and 12 died. The lowest number of COVID-19 infections after the vaccination was recorded among people aged 20-29. In this age group, only one man and two women tested positive for COVID-19. "Since most of the elderly have been vaccinated so far, the number of infections after vaccination is higher in older people. In addition, the effectiveness of the vaccine may decrease with age. We will closely monitor the developments," a FOPH representative told Sputnik, adding that no COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective against the virus. So far, more than 1.1 million people, or roughly 14% of the population, have been inoculated in Switzerland. The country has approved three vaccines developed by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, and currently considers AstraZeneca's application. (With inputs from agencies)

Switzerland: Despite getting both vaccine shots, over 130 people contract COVID-19

'Blood-soaked' naked activists protest against meat consumption in Spain

Portugal reopened its land border with Spain on Saturday and began the final stage of its program to ease COVID-19 restrictions. Portuguese authorities also announced that the country will allow holiday makers from Britain to enter the country.

Portugal reopens border, eases COVID-19 restrictions

Thousands of Colombians living in Madrid marched on Saturday (May 15) and protested against the Colombian government under President Ivan Duque and the police violence used to quell street protests in the Andean country.

The protesters waved Colombian flags and chanted slogans to demand solidarity to their people. Colombians took Madrid's Gran Via street and walked for hours.

"We want to support all our people in Colombia who are being mistreated, who are being murdered for fighting for the fundamental rights," said 52-year-old Colombian Maria Eugenia Rojas, living in Madrid for 14 years.

Demosnstartions in Colombia began last week. They were fuelled by outrage at the government plan to raise sales taxes. That proposal was cancelled, but protesters' demands now include a basic income and the withdrawal of a long-debated health reform that opponents say is too vague to correct inequalities.

Protesters, who originally called marches against a now-cancelled tax plan, have expanded demands to include a basic income, an end to police violence and education and jobs for young people, among other things.

The death toll from protests is disputed. The human rights ombudsman is investigating 41 civilian deaths, while the attorney general's office has confirmed 14.

Colombians are the largest group of Latin American immigrants in Spain where 63,762 are registered. Many fear for their families and loved ones back home.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of Colombians living in Madrid marched on Saturday (May 15) and protested against the Colombian government under President Ivan Duque and the police violence used to quell street protests in the Andean country.

Thousands of Colombians living in Madrid marched on Saturday (May 15) and protested against the Colombian government under President Ivan Duque and the police violence used to quell street protests in the Andean country. The protesters waved Colombian flags and chanted slogans to demand solidarity to their people. Colombians took Madrid's Gran Via street and walked for hours. "We want to support all our people in Colombia who are being mistreated, who are being murdered for fighting for the fundamental rights," said 52-year-old Colombian Maria Eugenia Rojas, living in Madrid for 14 years. Demosnstartions in Colombia began last week. They were fuelled by outrage at the government plan to raise sales taxes. That proposal was cancelled, but protesters' demands now include a basic income and the withdrawal of a long-debated health reform that opponents say is too vague to correct inequalities. Protesters, who originally called marches against a now-cancelled tax plan, have expanded demands to include a basic income, an end to police violence and education and jobs for young people, among other things. The death toll from protests is disputed. The human rights ombudsman is investigating 41 civilian deaths, while the attorney general's office has confirmed 14. Colombians are the largest group of Latin American immigrants in Spain where 63,762 are registered. Many fear for their families and loved ones back home. (With inputs from agencies)

Colombians in Madrid march to support protests in home country

Support increases for Palestine as Israel-Gaza enter seventh day of conflict

Chinese biotech firm Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited saw its stock price jump by more than 20% the day after it announced on April 25 that it had "completed the first patient enrollment and dosing" in a late-stage U.S. clinical trial of its experimental COVID-19 treatment. 
 
It was the company`s latest announcement about the progress of the drug, Proxalutamide. The Hong Kong-listed company`s stock price has nearly quadrupled since March 1 as some analysts wrote about the big sales potential for a COVID-19 treatment. Kintor has seen its market capitalisation soar to HK$23.4 billion ($3 billion) from HK$6.6 billion on March 1. 
 
But the company had not dosed any patients as of early May, according to the doctor Kintor identified as its principal clinical trial investigator in documents it posted on a U.S. trials website. The doctor - California-based gastroenterologist Zeid Kayali - also told Reuters he was "not in charge" of the trial, contradicting what the company had said in the documents describing the study. Kayali declined further comment, referring questions to Kintor. 
 
Told of Kayali`s comments, Kintor Chief Financial Officer Lucy Lu said Kayali was merely one of its trial investigators. She declined further comment on the firm`s announcement on patient dosing. Lu declined as well to name a different principal investigator, or the institution overseeing the trial, calling that information "confidential." 
 
Companies are not obliged to release such information. But many pharmaceutical firms routinely provide details about who is leading their clinical trial and which research organization or medical institution is responsible for ensuring patient safety and scientific validity. 
 
Kintor`s lack of transparency, along with inconsistencies in the company`s statements, raise a "red flag" about the company`s claims, said Stephen Ostroff, a former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief scientist and two-time acting FDA commissioner. 
 
Another red flag: Kintor has repeatedly touted a Brazilian study of Proxalutamide that claimed an effectiveness rate so high that Ostroff and other pharmaceutical specialists say it is hard to believe. 
 
The Brazil study said Proxalutamide showed a 92% reduction in mortality risk among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which Ostroff said would be "breathtakingly extraordinary" if true. 
 
Alexandre Cavalcanti, director of Sao Paulo`s HCor Research Institute, called a presentation of the study`s findings by its authors "amateur" and said its claimed reduction of mortality risk is too high to be credible in light of a global struggle to find effective COVID-19 treatments. 
 
Kintor stock turned briefly negative in morning trade in Hong Kong, but was trading up more than 4% at 0303 GMT, putting it on course to its third straight session of gains. 
 
STOCK GETS A BOOST 
 
Proxalutamide does not have regulatory approvals and is not available for sale. The Brazil study of the drug has not been peer-reviewed or published, but the authors released a short presentation of its results during a March news conference. Kintor promoted their findings. 
 
"Based on the positive results ... we expect Proxalutamide could become an important tool in the global fight against COVID-19," Kintor`s Chief Executive Tong Youzhi said in a statement announcing the Brazilian results on March 11. 
 
That same day, Kintor`s stock price jumped by nearly 9%. 
 
Lu, Kintor`s CFO, did not answer detailed questions from Reuters about the criticisms of the Brazil study and Kintor`s claims about its U.S. trial. 
 
One of the study`s authors, Brown University dermatology professor Carlos Wambier, dismissed its critics and called its results "very encouraging." 
 
In an April 2 client note, analysts from Beijing-based brokerage China Renaissance cited Kintor`s progress reports as evidence of the "potentially wider application of Proxalutamide." They gave the stock a "buy" recommendation and set a target price of HK$50.75. Kintor`s stock now trades at about HK$66, having reached a record high HK$82 in late April. 
 
"The stock price is majorly driven by the COVID-19-related clinical progress," said Sam Hu, analyst at CMB International in Hong Kong. 
 
One of the study`s authors is a consultant hired by a Brazilian Health Ministry official who is an ally of the country`s President Jair Bolsonaro. The president is a vaccine sceptic and a critic of masks and lockdowns who has promoted discredited COVID-19 remedies such as hydroxychloroquine. The health official, Helio Angotti, assigned a team of consultants to find evidence to support Bolsonaro`s unfounded medical claims. 
 
Angotti declined to comment. Bolsonaro`s office did not respond to written questions from Reuters. The consultant who co-authored the Proxalutamide study, Ricardo Zimerman, did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
RESEARCH AND POLITICS 
 
Lu said Kintor is in talks with Brazilian federal health regulator Anvisa about conducting its own clinical trial. Anvisa said in a statement that Kintor had not filed any formal request to conduct a trial, but did not comment on any talks between the regulator and the company. 
 
Two Anvisa staffers, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the results of the Brazilian Proxalutamide study, saying the authors` results presentation contained no detailed data or evidence. One of the Anvisa staffers characterized the presentation as more marketing than science. Brazil`s Health Ministry, in a March technical note, concluded that "the available evidence for the drug is still incipient," with limited information on safety and outcomes. 
 
Kintor originally conceived of Proxalutamide as a cancer treatment, before pivoting to COVID-19. Lu told Reuters that the FDA had allowed the firm to progress to a Phase III trial, skipping Phases I and II, after evaluating its previous oncology studies and the Brazil research. She declined to share any documentation from the FDA outlining that permission. 
 
The FDA declined to comment on Kintor or its COVID-19 drug.Ostroff said it was concerning and atypical that Kintor used earlier-stage oncology trials, along with the questionable Brazil study, as shortcuts to a Phase III COVID-19 trial. The company`s answers to basic questions about its clinical trial, he added, were evasive. 
 
"Most pharmaceutical companies, especially related to COVID-19, will be quite open about what sorts of trials they`re doing," he said.

Chinese biotech firm Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited saw its stock price jump by more than 20% the day after it announced on April 25 that it had "completed the first patient enrollment and dosing" in a late-stage U.

Chinese biotech firm Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited saw its stock price jump by more than 20% the day after it announced on April 25 that it had "completed the first patient enrollment and dosing" in a late-stage U.S. clinical trial of its experimental COVID-19 treatment. It was the company`s latest announcement about the progress of the drug, Proxalutamide. The Hong Kong-listed company`s stock price has nearly quadrupled since March 1 as some analysts wrote about the big sales potential for a COVID-19 treatment. Kintor has seen its market capitalisation soar to HK$23.4 billion ($3 billion) from HK$6.6 billion on March 1. But the company had not dosed any patients as of early May, according to the doctor Kintor identified as its principal clinical trial investigator in documents it posted on a U.S. trials website. The doctor - California-based gastroenterologist Zeid Kayali - also told Reuters he was "not in charge" of the trial, contradicting what the company had said in the documents describing the study. Kayali declined further comment, referring questions to Kintor. Told of Kayali`s comments, Kintor Chief Financial Officer Lucy Lu said Kayali was merely one of its trial investigators. She declined further comment on the firm`s announcement on patient dosing. Lu declined as well to name a different principal investigator, or the institution overseeing the trial, calling that information "confidential." Companies are not obliged to release such information. But many pharmaceutical firms routinely provide details about who is leading their clinical trial and which research organization or medical institution is responsible for ensuring patient safety and scientific validity. Kintor`s lack of transparency, along with inconsistencies in the company`s statements, raise a "red flag" about the company`s claims, said Stephen Ostroff, a former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief scientist and two-time acting FDA commissioner. Another red flag: Kintor has repeatedly touted a Brazilian study of Proxalutamide that claimed an effectiveness rate so high that Ostroff and other pharmaceutical specialists say it is hard to believe. The Brazil study said Proxalutamide showed a 92% reduction in mortality risk among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which Ostroff said would be "breathtakingly extraordinary" if true. Alexandre Cavalcanti, director of Sao Paulo`s HCor Research Institute, called a presentation of the study`s findings by its authors "amateur" and said its claimed reduction of mortality risk is too high to be credible in light of a global struggle to find effective COVID-19 treatments. Kintor stock turned briefly negative in morning trade in Hong Kong, but was trading up more than 4% at 0303 GMT, putting it on course to its third straight session of gains. STOCK GETS A BOOST Proxalutamide does not have regulatory approvals and is not available for sale. The Brazil study of the drug has not been peer-reviewed or published, but the authors released a short presentation of its results during a March news conference. Kintor promoted their findings. "Based on the positive results ... we expect Proxalutamide could become an important tool in the global fight against COVID-19," Kintor`s Chief Executive Tong Youzhi said in a statement announcing the Brazilian results on March 11. That same day, Kintor`s stock price jumped by nearly 9%. Lu, Kintor`s CFO, did not answer detailed questions from Reuters about the criticisms of the Brazil study and Kintor`s claims about its U.S. trial. One of the study`s authors, Brown University dermatology professor Carlos Wambier, dismissed its critics and called its results "very encouraging." In an April 2 client note, analysts from Beijing-based brokerage China Renaissance cited Kintor`s progress reports as evidence of the "potentially wider application of Proxalutamide." They gave the stock a "buy" recommendation and set a target price of HK$50.75. Kintor`s stock now trades at about HK$66, having reached a record high HK$82 in late April. "The stock price is majorly driven by the COVID-19-related clinical progress," said Sam Hu, analyst at CMB International in Hong Kong. One of the study`s authors is a consultant hired by a Brazilian Health Ministry official who is an ally of the country`s President Jair Bolsonaro. The president is a vaccine sceptic and a critic of masks and lockdowns who has promoted discredited COVID-19 remedies such as hydroxychloroquine. The health official, Helio Angotti, assigned a team of consultants to find evidence to support Bolsonaro`s unfounded medical claims. Angotti declined to comment. Bolsonaro`s office did not respond to written questions from Reuters. The consultant who co-authored the Proxalutamide study, Ricardo Zimerman, did not respond to requests for comment. RESEARCH AND POLITICS Lu said Kintor is in talks with Brazilian federal health regulator Anvisa about conducting its own clinical trial. Anvisa said in a statement that Kintor had not filed any formal request to conduct a trial, but did not comment on any talks between the regulator and the company. Two Anvisa staffers, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the results of the Brazilian Proxalutamide study, saying the authors` results presentation contained no detailed data or evidence. One of the Anvisa staffers characterized the presentation as more marketing than science. Brazil`s Health Ministry, in a March technical note, concluded that "the available evidence for the drug is still incipient," with limited information on safety and outcomes. Kintor originally conceived of Proxalutamide as a cancer treatment, before pivoting to COVID-19. Lu told Reuters that the FDA had allowed the firm to progress to a Phase III trial, skipping Phases I and II, after evaluating its previous oncology studies and the Brazil research. She declined to share any documentation from the FDA outlining that permission. The FDA declined to comment on Kintor or its COVID-19 drug.Ostroff said it was concerning and atypical that Kintor used earlier-stage oncology trials, along with the questionable Brazil study, as shortcuts to a Phase III COVID-19 trial. The company`s answers to basic questions about its clinical trial, he added, were evasive. "Most pharmaceutical companies, especially related to COVID-19, will be quite open about what sorts of trials they`re doing," he said.

Chinese firm may have lied about tests of its COVID-19 drug

Mainland China reported seven new COVID-19 cases on May 13, including its first local transmissions in more than three weeks, the country`s national health authority said on Friday.

Two of the new cases were local infections in the eastern province of Anhui, the National Health Commission said in a statement. The cases were the first local transmissions since April 20, when China recorded two local infections in the southwestern province of Yunnan, where a city on the border with Myanmar reported a new cluster in late March.

China's official Xinhua news agency reported that one of the local cases surnamed Li, had travelled to Anhui on May 1 from Dalian, a port city in China`s northeastern Liaoning province.

The other case, surnamed Zhang, was in close contact with Li during a training class Li led in the city of Luan, near Anhui`s provincial capital Hefei, Xinhua reported.

Another local infection was newly reported on Friday in Feixi county, under Hefei`s jurisdiction, according to the city government. The case, surnamed Lu, had shared a hotel room with Li.

Two areas in Luan city and one part of Feixi county were declared "medium-risk" regions by local authorities in response to the cases. State media reported mass testing being carried out in the main urban area in Luan and some areas in Hefei.

The other five cases announced Friday were imported infections originating overseas. The health commission had reported nine cases a day earlier, all imported.

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 22 from 14 cases a day earlier.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mainland China now stands at 90,815, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,636.

Mainland China reported seven new COVID-19 cases on May 13, including its first local transmissions in more than three weeks, the country`s national health authority said on Friday.

Mainland China reported seven new COVID-19 cases on May 13, including its first local transmissions in more than three weeks, the country`s national health authority said on Friday. Two of the new cases were local infections in the eastern province of Anhui, the National Health Commission said in a statement. The cases were the first local transmissions since April 20, when China recorded two local infections in the southwestern province of Yunnan, where a city on the border with Myanmar reported a new cluster in late March. China's official Xinhua news agency reported that one of the local cases surnamed Li, had travelled to Anhui on May 1 from Dalian, a port city in China`s northeastern Liaoning province. The other case, surnamed Zhang, was in close contact with Li during a training class Li led in the city of Luan, near Anhui`s provincial capital Hefei, Xinhua reported. Another local infection was newly reported on Friday in Feixi county, under Hefei`s jurisdiction, according to the city government. The case, surnamed Lu, had shared a hotel room with Li. Two areas in Luan city and one part of Feixi county were declared "medium-risk" regions by local authorities in response to the cases. State media reported mass testing being carried out in the main urban area in Luan and some areas in Hefei. The other five cases announced Friday were imported infections originating overseas. The health commission had reported nine cases a day earlier, all imported. The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 22 from 14 cases a day earlier. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mainland China now stands at 90,815, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,636.

Mainland China reports first local COVID-19 cases in more than 3 weeks

Post-pandemic Europe: Countries you can visit this summer

Nepal's devastating COVID-19 outbreak showed no signs of abating on Tuesday as the country recorded its highest single-day coronavirus related deaths with 225 fatalities and 9,483 new cases in the last 24 hours.

Now, the total number of deaths stands at 4,084 and infections at 413,111, the Ministry of Health and Population said.

In the last 24 hours, 5,225 COVID-19 patients have recovered, 20,596 polymerase chain reaction tests and 720 antigen tests have been conducted, the ministry said.

There are 97,008 active coronavirus cases in the Himalayan nation.

Of the new cases, 3,927 were reported from the Kathmandu Valley, where prohibitory orders have been extended till May 27. The restriction orders were first enforced on April 29 and were due to expire on May 12.

A deadly second wave of the pandemic is sweeping across Nepal, with about 8,000 new cases being reported daily for the past several days, which is quite high for a country of approximately 30 million people.

In an opinion piece published in The Guardian newspaper on Monday, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, who lost a confidence vote in Nepal's House of Representatives earlier in the week, appealed to the UK and other developed nations to urgently provide his country with essential medical items, life-saving drugs and vaccines to combat the pandemic.

Meanwhile, China donated 400 oxygen cylinders, 160 oxygen concentrators, and 10 ventilators to Nepal on Tuesday.

A wide-body Nepal Airlines aircraft flew in the medical supplies, officials said, adding that the 400 oxygen cylinders are part of the 20,000 cylinders that China has promised to donate to the country.

General Manager of Nepal Airlines Dim Prakash Paudel told journalists an aircraft has been kept on standby to fly in the remaining health equipment which China has pledged.

Late last month, China had promised Nepal medical equipment and supplies equivalent to 5 million yuan (USD 780,000). The announcement was made by Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi at a virtual meeting of Foreign Ministers attended by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Nepal's devastating COVID-19 outbreak showed no signs of abating on Tuesday as the country recorded its highest single-day coronavirus related deaths with 225 fatalities and 9,483 new cases in the last 24 hours.

Nepal's devastating COVID-19 outbreak showed no signs of abating on Tuesday as the country recorded its highest single-day coronavirus related deaths with 225 fatalities and 9,483 new cases in the last 24 hours. Now, the total number of deaths stands at 4,084 and infections at 413,111, the Ministry of Health and Population said. In the last 24 hours, 5,225 COVID-19 patients have recovered, 20,596 polymerase chain reaction tests and 720 antigen tests have been conducted, the ministry said. There are 97,008 active coronavirus cases in the Himalayan nation. Of the new cases, 3,927 were reported from the Kathmandu Valley, where prohibitory orders have been extended till May 27. The restriction orders were first enforced on April 29 and were due to expire on May 12. A deadly second wave of the pandemic is sweeping across Nepal, with about 8,000 new cases being reported daily for the past several days, which is quite high for a country of approximately 30 million people. In an opinion piece published in The Guardian newspaper on Monday, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, who lost a confidence vote in Nepal's House of Representatives earlier in the week, appealed to the UK and other developed nations to urgently provide his country with essential medical items, life-saving drugs and vaccines to combat the pandemic. Meanwhile, China donated 400 oxygen cylinders, 160 oxygen concentrators, and 10 ventilators to Nepal on Tuesday. A wide-body Nepal Airlines aircraft flew in the medical supplies, officials said, adding that the 400 oxygen cylinders are part of the 20,000 cylinders that China has promised to donate to the country. General Manager of Nepal Airlines Dim Prakash Paudel told journalists an aircraft has been kept on standby to fly in the remaining health equipment which China has pledged. Late last month, China had promised Nepal medical equipment and supplies equivalent to 5 million yuan (USD 780,000). The announcement was made by Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi at a virtual meeting of Foreign Ministers attended by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Nepal records highest single-day deaths related to coronavirus; aid arrives from China

Colombia`s three largest cities are bracing for an extended third peak in coronavirus cases and over-stretched intensive care units after nearly two weeks of anti-government protests, local authorities said. 
 
Demonstrations fueled by outrage at a now-cancelled tax plan began on April 28. Protesters'&nbsp;demands have expanded to include a basic income, an end to police violence and the withdrawal of long-debated health reform. 
 
Marches look set to continue for the foreseeable future, with protest leaders and the government at odds despite an initial meeting to discuss the demands. 
 
Capital Bogota is confronting a "hospital collapse," Mayor Claudia Lopez said in a press conference on Monday, and will not see infections drop this week as previously predicted. 
 
"The pact of care that has safeguarded us from contagion for 16 months is what was broken in Colombia two weeks ago," Lopez said. "Every day it is broken, we are exposed to a risk of mass death. To be at 96% ICU occupation is to be on the brink of hospital collapse." 
 
A decrease in infections will not come until the end of May, Lopez said, adding protests make quarantine restrictions nearly unenforceable, though she extended a curfew and restriction on alcohol sales. 
 
Medellin, whose ICUs have been at or near full capacity for weeks, is preparing for a possible crisis, health secretary Andree Uribe told Reuters in a video. 
 
"We know there will be an increase in cases, we`re on alert, we are carrying out actions for early identification, like testing everyone who participated in the marches," she said. 
 
In Cali - a protest focal point - demonstrations are likely to extend a current peak, health secretary Miyerlandi Torres said. 
 
"We`re worried about marchers who don`t comply with any of the self-protection protocols like physical distancing and the use of face masks," she said. "And with the presence of strains like the British one, which is highly contagious, it`s indicated the figures won`t fall in the short term." 
 
Cali`s ICUs are about 95% occupied, according to local government figures.

Colombia`s three largest cities are bracing for an extended third peak in coronavirus cases and over-stretched intensive care units after nearly two weeks of anti-government protests, local authorities said.

Colombia`s three largest cities are bracing for an extended third peak in coronavirus cases and over-stretched intensive care units after nearly two weeks of anti-government protests, local authorities said. Demonstrations fueled by outrage at a now-cancelled tax plan began on April 28. Protesters' demands have expanded to include a basic income, an end to police violence and the withdrawal of long-debated health reform. Marches look set to continue for the foreseeable future, with protest leaders and the government at odds despite an initial meeting to discuss the demands. Capital Bogota is confronting a "hospital collapse," Mayor Claudia Lopez said in a press conference on Monday, and will not see infections drop this week as previously predicted. "The pact of care that has safeguarded us from contagion for 16 months is what was broken in Colombia two weeks ago," Lopez said. "Every day it is broken, we are exposed to a risk of mass death. To be at 96% ICU occupation is to be on the brink of hospital collapse." A decrease in infections will not come until the end of May, Lopez said, adding protests make quarantine restrictions nearly unenforceable, though she extended a curfew and restriction on alcohol sales. Medellin, whose ICUs have been at or near full capacity for weeks, is preparing for a possible crisis, health secretary Andree Uribe told Reuters in a video. "We know there will be an increase in cases, we`re on alert, we are carrying out actions for early identification, like testing everyone who participated in the marches," she said. In Cali - a protest focal point - demonstrations are likely to extend a current peak, health secretary Miyerlandi Torres said. "We`re worried about marchers who don`t comply with any of the self-protection protocols like physical distancing and the use of face masks," she said. "And with the presence of strains like the British one, which is highly contagious, it`s indicated the figures won`t fall in the short term." Cali`s ICUs are about 95% occupied, according to local government figures.

Colombian cities brace for more COVID infections after protests

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