Top 10 world news today: Xi Jinping on COVID-19, France likely to witness jump in death toll and more

Coronavirus prevention and control still faces great uncertainty: President Xi

Xi's remarks came even as the cabinet plans more measures to alleviate firms' tax burdens and boost credit support.

Behind closed doors, France's COVID-19 death toll likely to jump

But data from the INSEE statistics office shows a nationwide increase in deaths at home. The rise is particularly pronounced in some of the low-income suburbs ringing central Paris.

'Live and Let Die' blasts as Trump tours mask factory, without wearing one

It still is unclear whether the music was the choice of the White House or Honeywell, but it wasn't liked by many -- as they called it insensitive, given the magnitude of the coronavirus pandemic.

EU recovery plan to be ready in weeks, to be approved in June: Top official

Gentiloni told a news conference the plan would include a mix of grants and long-term loans.

Not allergic to any investigation but top priority to fight & win against COVID-19: China

Several nations including the Trump administration, Germany, Australia have called for a probe into the origins of the virus.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez garners Basque party votes for lockdown extension

This will be the fourth two-week extension of the lockdown in Spain.

US rearms to nullify China's missile supremacy

The United States has largely stood by in recent decades as China dramatically expanded its military firepower.

'Recession of historic proportions': Eurozone economy predicted to contract 7.7%

German automaker BMW reported that its net profit was down in the first quarter due to the effect of the virus with most countries in Europe on lockdown. 

Japan issues new social behaviour guidelines inviting wrath of its people

One new recommendation made on Monday for people eating in restaurants is to sit outside, side-by-side while keeping conversation to a minimum.

Israel announces plans thousands of new homes for West Bank settlement

The move comes after Washington voiced readiness to back de facto Israeli annexations there.