AP National News

The Latest: UK virus-related deaths rise to 52,000 by June 5

by Associated Press

LONDON — Britain’s statistics agency says the total number of coronavirus-related deaths across the U.K. has reached almost 52,000 by the week ending June 5.

The updated figure from the Office for National Statistics is around 10,000 higher than the government’s daily tally, which are based on initial cause of death assessments. Those from the statistics agency are collated from death registrations, which can take a couple of weeks to be issued.

The statistics agency also said there were around 64,500 more deaths across the U.K. than the five-year average over the period of the pandemic.

The Latest: Germany: Pets with virus must be reported

by Associated Press

BERLIN — The German government plans to introduce an obligation that any cases of coronavirus in pets be reported to authorities. It says the move is needed to assist research into the virus.

Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner said Tuesday that the plan is for the move to be considered by parliament next month.

Kloeckner said that there will be no obligation for people to test their pets, but it would make sense to do so in certain situations – for example, if a cat living in a household with human coronavirus cases itself shows symptoms. She stressed there’s no evidence so far that pets

The Latest: African nations want UN to examine racism in US

by Associated Press

TOP OF THE HOUR:

— African nations to ask UN to examine racism in U.S., elsewhere.

— Brick hurled at media car in Louisville as police shoot pepper balls

— President Trump, Senate GOP seek police changes.

— Maryland panel votes to remove Civil War plaque from Capitol.

— Man shot as protesters in New Mexico try to tear down statue.

GENEVA — African nations have prepared a draft resolution at the U.N.’s top human rights body that singles out the United States and would launch intense international scrutiny of systemic racism against people of African descent in the wake of recent

The Latest: Spain opens its borders to Europeans on June 21

by Associated Press

MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says Spain will open its borders to travelers from Europe’s Schengen travel areas except Portugal on June 21, moving up the original date by 10 days.

Spain will drop its requirement for people arriving from abroad to stay in quarantine, either at home or in a hotel, for 14 days on arrival, when it reopens on that day.

Sánchez said Sunday that Spain and Portugal will keep their border closed to non-essential crossings until July 1.

Spain’s government had already announced that on June 21 it will end the nation’s state of emergency to fight the

The Latest: Italians deface statue tied to colonial past

by Associated Press

TOP OF THE HOUR:

— Italians deface statue of journalist who had 12-year-old Eritrean bride.

— French police protest in Paris, saying accusations of racism unfair.

— UK police arrest over 100 after violent right-wing protest in London.

— Atlanta police officer fired after fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks.

— Bust of slave owner torn down, thrown in river in New Orleans.

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MILAN — Protesters have scrawled ‘’rapist’’ and ‘’racist’’ on the statue of a late Italian journalist who had acknowledged having had a 12-year-old Eritrean bride while stationed in the Italian colony in the 1930s.

The Latest: French police protest, insist they’re not racist

by Associated Press

TOP OF THE HOUR:

— French police protest in Paris, saying accusations of racism unfair

— UK police arrest over 100 after violent right-wing protest in London.

— Atlanta police officer fired after fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks.

— Clemson football team members lead demonstration on campus.

— Bust of slave owner torn down, thrown in river in New Orleans.

PARIS — French police officers held a small overnight protest at the Arc de Triomphe monument in Paris amid police anger over what they call unfair accusations of racism and brutality.

A few dozen officers lay their handcuffs on the

The Latest: UK arrests 100 after violent right-wing protest

by Associated Press

TOP OF THE HOUR:

— UK police arrest over 100 after violent right-wing protest in London.

— Atlanta police officer fired after fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks.

— Clemson football team members lead demonstration on campus.

— Bust of slave owner torn down, thrown in river in New Orleans.

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LONDON — British police say they have arrested more than 100 people after protesters, including far-right activists, clashed with officers in London.

Hundreds of right-wing activists turned out for demonstrations Saturday in London, with many saying they wanted to “protect” monuments and statues

The Latest: 2 Florida theme parks reopen as lockdown eases

by Associated Press

MIAMI — Two more Florida theme parks were opening Thursday after being closed since mid-March to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are opening their gates with new restrictions.

Reservations are now required to enter the parks in order to limit capacity to comply with social distancing requirements. But SeaWorld Orlando will be closed on future Tuesdays and Thursdays and Busch Gardens will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the foreseeable future.

Visitors age 2 and up will be required to wear face masks and everyone will have a

The Latest: China: We do not spread virus disinformation

by Associated Press

BEIJING — China’s Foreign Ministry has criticized a European Union report alleging that Beijing was spreading disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters Thursday that “the EU evades many obvious facts but specifically mentions China. This undermines the credibility and authority of this report.” Hua called the accusations against China “false.”

According to the European commission, Russia and China have mounted “targeted influence operations and disinformation campaigns in the EU, its neighbourhood and globally.” That marked the first time China

The Latest: English city hauls toppled statue out of harbor

by Associated Press

TOP OF THE HOUR:

— English city hauls toppled slave trader statue out of the harbor

— Jefferson Davis statue torn down in Richmond

— Officer charged in George Floyd’s death posts bail.

— George Floyd’s brother gives emotional testimony on Capitol Hill.

— Museums interested in preserving artifacts from protests in nation’s capital.

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LONDON — A statue of a 17th-century slave trader that was toppled by anti-racism protesters in Bristol, England, has been fished out of the harbor by city authorities.

Bristol City Council says the bronze statue of Edward Colston was recovered early