csmonitor--2020-04-27--Monday Sunrise Briefing: A gradual, global reopening

The sounds of children playing outside returned to Spain on Sunday for the first time in six weeks .
Across Europe , and in a few U.S. states , a shift is underway .
Some businesses and churches are beginning to cautiously , partially reopen .
In the U.S. , many stay-at-home orders expire this week .
But tensions are rising between some mayors and state governors with different views on the pace of safely reopening .
Public health officials warn that most states lack sufficient testing or coordinated contact tracing to prevent a recurrence of an outbreak .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patients at all , but a stricter quarantine was declared in Harbin , China , a city of 10 million .
In India , neighborhood stores were allowed to reopen in selected areas .
As cases declined in the U.K. , Prime Minister Boris Johnson returned to work Monday .
2 .
An unscheduled adventure .
They didn ’ t plan to sail home .
But a group of 25 Dutch teenagers arrived safely home Sunday after the coronavirus lockdowns turned their educational cruise of the Caribbean into an epic five-week voyage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticked off three bucket list items : A trans-Atlantic crossing , a mid-ocean swim , and surviving the Bermuda Triangle .
The teens hugged and chanted each other ’ s names as they walked off the ship and into the arms of their families , who drove their cars alongside the 200-foot schooner one by one to adhere to social distancing rules .
One lesson 17-year-old Floor Hurkmans learned : “ Being flexible , because everything is changing all the time.
” Monday ’ s with Michelle : Former first lady Michelle Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 pm ET for four consecutive Mondays .
Today , it ’ s `` There 's a Dragon in Your Book '' by Tom Fletcher , illustrated by Greg Abbott .
Vote-by-mail democracy .
Ohio holds its presidential primary today without any in-person voting due to the pandemic .
All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Monday or dropped off at county offices by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday .
At least six states have postponed their primaries from today until June 2 .
Fed wisdom ?
The Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two weeks ago , Mr. Powell warned of a “ false start ” if states reopened for business too soon , but could expect a “ robust ” recovery if states wait .
'Parks and Rec ' reunion : Leslie Knope and company return for a 30-minute Pawnee reunion .
The scripted , social distancing-themed episode on NBC ( 8:30 p.m .
ET ) will raise money for Feeding America , a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks .
Goodnight with Dolly : Singer and actor Dolly Parton reads children ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m .
ET .
Since 1995 , Ms. Parton has given millions of books away free to children through her “ Imagination Library.
” A labor rights digital celebration .
The traditional May Day - a celebration of labor unions and workers ' rights - goes online around the world this year .
2020 campaign carries on .
Kansas and Guam finish their primary voting today .
The Kansas primary has been open since the end of March , but switched to mail-in only ballots .
Guam is scheduled to hold a caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best in humanity .
These days , the acts of kindness and generosity are bursting out everywhere .
Here are three this week that caught my eye .
• Shana Poole-Jones of Maplewood , Missouri , has lost eight family members to COVID-19 .
They all live in Georgia , where she was “ born and raised.
” She can ’ t travel to support them , so she ’ s spreading kindness from her front yard in Missouri .
She set up a “ grab & go ” table with canned goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaning products .
The items are all free to anyone who drives by .
Some people are stopping by to donate .
“ It ’ s hard , I can not go down there to see my family so right now .
I ’ m doing this to take it off my mind , ” Ms. Jones told KTVI Fox News in St. Louis .
• In Calgary , Canada , a group of high school kids are telling jokes to seniors .
The Joy 4 All Project is a hotline ( 1-877-JOY-4ALL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear pre-recorded jokes , stories , motivational passages , and poems targeted to the elderly and isolated .
“ Through this project , we will be able to show our appreciation to people that are self-isolating and give them something they can always look forward to in their day .
Hopefully , it can lighten the mood and help save lives , ” 16-year-old Ali Ahmad , told LiveWireCalgary .
• Finally , here ’ s one senior who is probably telling jokes to high school kids .
This is Gertrude Larson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1918-19 flu epidemic ) .
And at 104 , she ’ s still giving back to her community .
In recent weeks , the nimble Fergus Falls , Minn. , resident has been climbing the stairs to her second-floor sun-filled sewing room where she operates a Singer machine purchased in 1939 .
The retired nurse is churning out masks for a local nursing home 's staff and residents .
As she told WDAY-TV in Fargo , N.D. , she ’ s simply is doing what her ancestors from Norway did : Taking care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of that going around these days .
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers : In lockdown , they found someone – with four legs – to love ( video ) In tonight ’ s Daily Edition , watch for our story about Sweden 's no-lockdown , individual responsibility approach to dealing with the pandemic .
Is it working ?
Finally , check out the Monitor ’ s selected stories from Friday 's subscription-only Daily Edition : • After shooting , Nova Scotia finds ways to comfort under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit first ?
Not where you might expect .
• In lockdown , they found someone – with four legs – to love Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday morning news update .
Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think .
Thank you !

The sounds of children playing outside returned to Spain on Sunday for the first time in six weeks. Across Europe, and in a few U.S. states, a shift is underway. Some businesses and churches are beginning to cautiously, partially reopen. In the U.S., many stay-at-home orders expire this week. But tensions are rising between some mayors and state governors with different views on the pace of safely reopening. Public health officials warn that most states lack sufficient testing or coordinated contact tracing to prevent a recurrence of an outbreak.
In Wuhan, China, hospitals reported no COVID-19 patients at all, but a stricter quarantine was declared in Harbin, China, a city of 10 million. In India, neighborhood stores were allowed to reopen in selected areas. As cases declined in the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson returned to work Monday.
2. An unscheduled adventure. They didn’t plan to sail home. But a group of 25 Dutch teenagers arrived safely home Sunday after the coronavirus lockdowns turned their educational cruise of the Caribbean into an epic five-week voyage. On the trip, the teens ticked off three bucket list items: A trans-Atlantic crossing, a mid-ocean swim, and surviving the Bermuda Triangle. The teens hugged and chanted each other’s names as they walked off the ship and into the arms of their families, who drove their cars alongside the 200-foot schooner one by one to adhere to social distancing rules. One lesson 17-year-old Floor Hurkmans learned: “Being flexible, because everything is changing all the time.”
AP Photo/Peter Dejong View caption Hide caption A schooner sailed by 25 Dutch teens arrived at the port of Harlingen,The Netherlands, Sunday, April 26, 2020. They sailed home from the Caribbean across the Atlantic when coronavirus lockdowns prevented them flying home.
Why We Wrote This Good morning! Welcome to your Monday, April 27, 2020, sunrise briefing. Here are two news events from this past weekend (while you may have been mulching, hiking, and enjoying an offline life). Also, what to look for in the news this week.
Look Ahead
Monday, April 27
Monday’s with Michelle: Former first lady Michelle Obama is reading children’s books at 12 pm ET for four consecutive Mondays. Today, it’s "There's a Dragon in Your Book" by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott.
Tuesday, April 28
Vote-by-mail democracy. Ohio holds its presidential primary today without any in-person voting due to the pandemic. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Monday or dropped off at county offices by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. At least six states have postponed their primaries from today until June 2.
Wednesday, April 29
Fed wisdom? The Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak with the media. Two weeks ago, Mr. Powell warned of a “false start” if states reopened for business too soon, but could expect a “robust” recovery if states wait.
Independence Day: Israel marks the 72nd anniversary of statehood.
Thursday, April 30
'Parks and Rec' reunion: Leslie Knope and company return for a 30-minute Pawnee reunion. The scripted, social distancing-themed episode on NBC (8:30 p.m. ET) will raise money for Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks.
Goodnight with Dolly: Singer and actor Dolly Parton reads children’s bedtime stories every Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. Since 1995, Ms. Parton has given millions of books away free to children through her “Imagination Library.”
Friday, May 1
A labor rights digital celebration. The traditional May Day - a celebration of labor unions and workers' rights - goes online around the world this year.
Saturday, May 2
2020 campaign carries on. Kansas and Guam finish their primary voting today. The Kansas primary has been open since the end of March, but switched to mail-in only ballots. Guam is scheduled to hold a caucus.
Generosity Watch
Stephanie Nicole via Facebook View caption Hide caption Stephanie Nicole stands behind her sister's, Shana Poole-Jones', give-away table outside her home in Maplewood, Missouri.
A crisis often brings out the best in humanity. These days, the acts of kindness and generosity are bursting out everywhere. Here are three this week that caught my eye.
Shana Poole-Jones of Maplewood, Missouri, has lost eight family members to COVID-19. They all live in Georgia, where she was “born and raised.” She can’t travel to support them, so she’s spreading kindness from her front yard in Missouri. She set up a “grab & go” table with canned goods, bag lunches, toiletries, and cleaning products. The items are all free to anyone who drives by. Some people are stopping by to donate. “It’s hard, I can not go down there to see my family so right now. I’m doing this to take it off my mind,” Ms. Jones told KTVI Fox News in St. Louis.
In Calgary, Canada, a group of high school kids are telling jokes to seniors. The Joy 4 All Project is a hotline (1-877-JOY-4ALL or 1-877-569-4255), where callers can hear pre-recorded jokes, stories, motivational passages, and poems targeted to the elderly and isolated. “Through this project, we will be able to show our appreciation to people that are self-isolating and give them something they can always look forward to in their day. Hopefully, it can lighten the mood and help save lives,” 16-year-old Ali Ahmad, told LiveWireCalgary.
Finally, here’s one senior who is probably telling jokes to high school kids. This is Gertrude Larson’s second pandemic (she remembers the 1918-19 flu epidemic). And at 104, she’s still giving back to her community. In recent weeks, the nimble Fergus Falls, Minn., resident has been climbing the stairs to her second-floor sun-filled sewing room where she operates a Singer machine purchased in 1939. The retired nurse is churning out masks for a local nursing home's staff and residents. As she told WDAY-TV in Fargo, N.D., she’s simply is doing what her ancestors from Norway did: Taking care of each other. There's a lot of that going around these days.
Hidden gem
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers:
In lockdown, they found someone – with four legs – to love (video)
Sneak preview
In tonight’s Daily Edition, watch for our story about Sweden's no-lockdown, individual responsibility approach to dealing with the pandemic. Is it working?
Finally, check out the Monitor’s selected stories from Friday's subscription-only Daily Edition:
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday morning news update. Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think. Thank you!


csmonitor--2020-06-19--Trading border accusations, can India and China make peace?

India 's prime minister is meeting top opposition leaders Friday as the government tries to lower tensions with China after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash in a Himalayan border region .
India and China accuse each other of instigating the fight in the Galwan Valley , part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier .
China has not said whether it suffered any casualties in what was the deadliest conflict between the sides in 45 years .
Both countries said they were communicating through military and diplomatic channels and stressed the importance of their broader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unlikely to head to war , but easing tensions quickly will be difficult .
China on Friday maintained its position that India is to blame for the clash .
`` The right and wrong is very clear and the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side , ” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said .
Both India and China have denied media reports that Indian soldiers were in Chinese custody .
During Monday 's clash soldiers brawled with clubs , rocks , and their fists in the thin air at 14,000 feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were fired , Indian officials have said .
The soldiers carry firearms but are not allowed to use them under a previous agreement in the border dispute .
Indian security officials have said the fatalities were caused by severe injuries and exposure to subfreezing temperatures .
The clash escalated a standoff that began in early May , when Indian officials said Chinese soldiers crossed the border in three places , erecting tents and guard posts and ignoring warnings to leave .
That triggered shouting matches , stone-throwing , and fistfights between the opposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV news programs and in social media .
The action has taken place along a remote stretch of the 2,100-mile Line of Actual Control – the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce .
The rules of engagement along the Line of Actual Control – which prohibit using live ammunition but also ban physical contact between soldiers – will have to be renegotiated , defense analyst Rahul Bedi said .
“ There is a lot of pressure on the Indian side , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Bedi said .
“ It remains to be seen whether India will sit down at the negotiating table with China and say it will like to change these agreements to make them a little more aggressive or offensive in nature , '' he said .
India ’ s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to heads of various political parties on Thursday to develop a consensus on the situation .
On Friday , Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to host the leaders of more than a dozen opposition parties .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserves to know the truth .
“ It deserves a leadership that is willing to do anything before allowing its land to be taken , ” it said in a statement .
The clash has fanned growing anti-Chinese sentiments in India , which were already high because of the coronavirus pandemic , which began in China late last year .
India 's caseload has climbed to fourth-highest in the world .
Emotions were on display in the southern city of Hyderabad , where thousands watched the funeral procession of Col. Santosh Babu , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clash .
An Indian business confederation called for a boycott of 500 Chinese goods , including toys and textiles , to express “ strong criticism ” of China ’ s action in Ladakh .
Taylor Fravel , director of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , said China was trying to put pressure on India , and he did n't think Beijing wanted a violent clash between their armies .
From a strategic perspective , Mr. Fravel said , China should want to drive a wedge between India and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of counter-balance coalition .
`` The deaths and the clash on Monday night will probably very quickly and much more rapidly push India closer to the U.S. , which I think is probably not what China wants , ” he said .
G. Parthasarthy , a retired Indian diplomat , said that both China and Pakistan – India 's archrival – were aiming at low-cost containment of India .
`` China has a hangup against India and its civilization .
For us to expect China will be a friendly neighbor … .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China claims about 35,000 square miles of territory in India ’ s northeast , while India says China occupies 15,000 square miles of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau in the Himalayas , a contiguous part of the Ladakh region .
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal territory while separating it from disputed Kashmir in August 2019 .
China was among the countries to condemn the move , raising it at forums including the U.N. Security Council .
India was elected to the council this week .
This story was reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

India's prime minister is meeting top opposition leaders Friday as the government tries to lower tensions with China after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash in a Himalayan border region.
India and China accuse each other of instigating the fight in the Galwan Valley, part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier. China has not said whether it suffered any casualties in what was the deadliest conflict between the sides in 45 years.
Both countries said they were communicating through military and diplomatic channels and stressed the importance of their broader relationship. Analysts say the two nations are unlikely to head to war, but easing tensions quickly will be difficult.
China on Friday maintained its position that India is to blame for the clash.
"The right and wrong is very clear and the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.
Both India and China have denied media reports that Indian soldiers were in Chinese custody.
During Monday's clash soldiers brawled with clubs, rocks, and their fists in the thin air at 14,000 feet above sea level, but no shots were fired, Indian officials have said. The soldiers carry firearms but are not allowed to use them under a previous agreement in the border dispute.
Indian security officials have said the fatalities were caused by severe injuries and exposure to subfreezing temperatures.
The clash escalated a standoff that began in early May, when Indian officials said Chinese soldiers crossed the border in three places, erecting tents and guard posts and ignoring warnings to leave. That triggered shouting matches, stone-throwing, and fistfights between the opposing sides, much of it replayed on TV news programs and in social media.
The action has taken place along a remote stretch of the 2,100-mile Line of Actual Control – the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce.
The rules of engagement along the Line of Actual Control – which prohibit using live ammunition but also ban physical contact between soldiers – will have to be renegotiated, defense analyst Rahul Bedi said.
“There is a lot of pressure on the Indian side, the emotions are high among the public,” Mr. Bedi said.
“It remains to be seen whether India will sit down at the negotiating table with China and say it will like to change these agreements to make them a little more aggressive or offensive in nature," he said.
India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to heads of various political parties on Thursday to develop a consensus on the situation. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to host the leaders of more than a dozen opposition parties.
The main opposition Congress party said the country deserves to know the truth.
“It deserves a leadership that is willing to do anything before allowing its land to be taken,” it said in a statement.
The clash has fanned growing anti-Chinese sentiments in India, which were already high because of the coronavirus pandemic, which began in China late last year. India's caseload has climbed to fourth-highest in the world.
Emotions were on display in the southern city of Hyderabad, where thousands watched the funeral procession of Col. Santosh Babu, one of the casualties in Monday's clash.
An Indian business confederation called for a boycott of 500 Chinese goods, including toys and textiles, to express “strong criticism” of China’s action in Ladakh.
Taylor Fravel, director of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said China was trying to put pressure on India, and he didn't think Beijing wanted a violent clash between their armies.
From a strategic perspective, Mr. Fravel said, China should want to drive a wedge between India and the United States to prevent any kind of counter-balance coalition.
"The deaths and the clash on Monday night will probably very quickly and much more rapidly push India closer to the U.S., which I think is probably not what China wants,” he said.
G. Parthasarthy, a retired Indian diplomat, said that both China and Pakistan – India's archrival – were aiming at low-cost containment of India. "China has a hangup against India and its civilization. For us to expect China will be a friendly neighbor …. It will never be a friendly relationship.”
China claims about 35,000 square miles of territory in India’s northeast, while India says China occupies 15,000 square miles of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau in the Himalayas, a contiguous part of the Ladakh region.
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal territory while separating it from disputed Kashmir in August 2019. China was among the countries to condemn the move, raising it at forums including the U.N. Security Council. India was elected to the council this week.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-06-15--Virus outbreak in Beijing: a cautionary tale of reopening

China moved swiftly Monday to try to control a new outbreak of the coronavirus after 36 more cases were confirmed in Beijing .
People were lined up at hospitals and other facilities around the capital as authorities rushed to administer thousands of nucleic acid tests of people who worked at a major wholesale food market , anyone who had visited it in the past two weeks , or anyone who had come in contact with either group .
Authorities have confirmed 79 cases of the coronavirus over four days in what looks to be the largest outbreak since China largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two months ago .
The new outbreak appears to have started in the Xinfadi market , Beijing 's largest wholesale food market , prompting inspections of fresh meat and seafood in the city and elsewhere in China .
`` We must continue to take decisive measures to defend against outside cases and internal resurgences , and mobilize all units to take responsibility , ” said Xu Hejian , the director of the Beijing government information office .
At a time when other countries are loosening virus-related restrictions , the development shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with any fresh outbreaks .
They can pop up at anytime in unexpected places , even weeks after the epidemic appears to have died down .
Greece eased restrictions on incoming visitors Monday .
Passengers on some international flights will no longer face compulsory coronavirus tests .
Hotels and museums are opening in the tourism-dependent economy , as are gyms , in the latest step in a phased reopening of businesses .
“ Salut !
” said a masked manager to a pair of regular customers as they entered a brasserie in Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time since the fast-spreading virus forced them to close their doors March 14 .
In the United States , the governor of hard-hit New York state threatened to reinstate business closings as some parts of the country struggled with an outbreak that appeared ready to stretch for months .
China ’ s authoritarian government and tight social controls enable tracking of residents ’ movements through the use of apps and a network of neighborhood associations .
Entry to many office buildings , stores , and restaurants requires proof on a smartphone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas where the virus is still active .
Beijing has closed the Xinfadi market and is requiring anyone who went there to self-isolate for two weeks .
Neighborhoods close to the market have been put on lockdown and more than 76,000 people tested .
Citywide , Beijing has suspended the planned restart on Monday of some primary schools and reversed the relaxation of some social isolation measures .
Inspectors found 40 samples of the virus in the closed market , including on a chopping board for imported salmon .
That prompted some supermarket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend , and inspections of markets , stores , and restaurants Beijing health officials said gene sequencing showed the virus strain causing the new outbreak was related to that in Europe , though it wasn ’ t clear if it was being spread by the movement of people or transportation of food .
Experts were doubtful the virus was being spread through salmon or other food products .
Ian MacKay , who studies viruses at the University of Queensland in Australia , said there was no evidence to suggest a link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my money , it is more likely to be a person who came into the area with lots of people and the virus has spread , as the virus does , '' he said .
Japanese health ministry officials said they are closely watching the Chinese investigation , as budget sushi restaurants in Japan rely heavily on imported seafood , especially from China .
They added , though , that they have not seen scientific evidence suggesting the virus could be transmitted through food .
South Korea is also among those countries seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reporting 37 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday .
Authorities said 25 of the cases came from the Seoul area , where health authorities are scrambling to trace infections linked to entertainment and leisure activities , church gatherings , warehouse workers , and door-to-door salespeople .
Other countries are still battling major outbreaks .
India 's home minister offered 500 train carriages Monday for use as makeshift coronavirus hospital wards as New Delhi struggles to contain a spike in cases .
The Health Ministry reported a jump of more than 11,000 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the U.S. , cases in nearly half of states are rising .
New York state officials are trying to avoid the fate of others seeing a surge in new cases after reopening .
Upset by “ rampant ” violations of New York ’ s pandemic-fighting restrictions , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo threatened to reinstate closings in areas where local governments fail to enforce the rules .
He singled out Manhattan and Long Island ’ s tony Hamptons as problem areas .
“ We are not kidding around with this , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing .
“ You ’ re talking about jeopardizing people ’ s lives.
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP journalists around the world contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

China moved swiftly Monday to try to control a new outbreak of the coronavirus after 36 more cases were confirmed in Beijing.
People were lined up at hospitals and other facilities around the capital as authorities rushed to administer thousands of nucleic acid tests of people who worked at a major wholesale food market, anyone who had visited it in the past two weeks, or anyone who had come in contact with either group.
Authorities have confirmed 79 cases of the coronavirus over four days in what looks to be the largest outbreak since China largely stopped the epidemic's spread at home more than two months ago. The new outbreak appears to have started in the Xinfadi market, Beijing's largest wholesale food market, prompting inspections of fresh meat and seafood in the city and elsewhere in China.
"We must continue to take decisive measures to defend against outside cases and internal resurgences, and mobilize all units to take responsibility,” said Xu Hejian, the director of the Beijing government information office.
At a time when other countries are loosening virus-related restrictions, the development shows the importance of being ready to deal with any fresh outbreaks. They can pop up at anytime in unexpected places, even weeks after the epidemic appears to have died down.
Greece eased restrictions on incoming visitors Monday. Passengers on some international flights will no longer face compulsory coronavirus tests. Hotels and museums are opening in the tourism-dependent economy, as are gyms, in the latest step in a phased reopening of businesses.
“Salut!” said a masked manager to a pair of regular customers as they entered a brasserie in Paris, where cafes and restaurants reopened for the first time since the fast-spreading virus forced them to close their doors March 14.
In the United States, the governor of hard-hit New York state threatened to reinstate business closings as some parts of the country struggled with an outbreak that appeared ready to stretch for months.
China’s authoritarian government and tight social controls enable tracking of residents’ movements through the use of apps and a network of neighborhood associations. Entry to many office buildings, stores, and restaurants requires proof on a smartphone that the person has not traveled to areas where the virus is still active.
Beijing has closed the Xinfadi market and is requiring anyone who went there to self-isolate for two weeks. Neighborhoods close to the market have been put on lockdown and more than 76,000 people tested.
Citywide, Beijing has suspended the planned restart on Monday of some primary schools and reversed the relaxation of some social isolation measures.
Inspectors found 40 samples of the virus in the closed market, including on a chopping board for imported salmon. That prompted some supermarket chains to take salmon off their shelves over the weekend, and inspections of markets, stores, and restaurants
Beijing health officials said gene sequencing showed the virus strain causing the new outbreak was related to that in Europe, though it wasn’t clear if it was being spread by the movement of people or transportation of food.
Experts were doubtful the virus was being spread through salmon or other food products.
Ian MacKay, who studies viruses at the University of Queensland in Australia, said there was no evidence to suggest a link between outbreaks and food.
“For my money, it is more likely to be a person who came into the area with lots of people and the virus has spread, as the virus does," he said.
Japanese health ministry officials said they are closely watching the Chinese investigation, as budget sushi restaurants in Japan rely heavily on imported seafood, especially from China. They added, though, that they have not seen scientific evidence suggesting the virus could be transmitted through food.
South Korea is also among those countries seeking to prevent a resurgence of the outbreak, reporting 37 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. Authorities said 25 of the cases came from the Seoul area, where health authorities are scrambling to trace infections linked to entertainment and leisure activities, church gatherings, warehouse workers, and door-to-door salespeople.
Other countries are still battling major outbreaks. India's home minister offered 500 train carriages Monday for use as makeshift coronavirus hospital wards as New Delhi struggles to contain a spike in cases. The Health Ministry reported a jump of more than 11,000 new infections nationwide for a third consecutive day.
In the U.S., cases in nearly half of states are rising. New York state officials are trying to avoid the fate of others seeing a surge in new cases after reopening.
Upset by “rampant” violations of New York’s pandemic-fighting restrictions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatened to reinstate closings in areas where local governments fail to enforce the rules. He singled out Manhattan and Long Island’s tony Hamptons as problem areas.
“We are not kidding around with this," Mr. Cuomo said Sunday at his daily briefing. “You’re talking about jeopardizing people’s lives.”
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-05-07--Working thousands of miles from home – to build a new one

Marina Díaz , a former migrant , doesn ’ t see the benefit : Even if someone is deported , a big house doesn ’ t change Guatemala ’ s lacking economic and educational opportunities .
But for Israel Vail López , building with remittances changed his life .
“ My dream was to build a place to live .
… I did it.
” Remittances from the U.S. – $ 10.5 billion in 2019 – fund infrastructure projects , pay school fees , and ensure there ’ s food .
For many , these houses encapsulate the American dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes can divide towns into successful migrants and those who don ’ t have the economic cushion of remittances .
That inspires others to travel north , feeding the cycle of migration .
The rolling , green hills here have been replaced in recent years by sprawling – mostly uninhabited – homes .
These so-called remittance homes are built with money sent back to Guatemala by migrants in the U.S. , serving for many as a safety net in case of deportation .
Israel Vail López walks from room to room , treading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor in this new home .
It has high ceilings and freshly painted white walls , and he proudly turns on the lights to show his hard work .
This house and another Mr. Vail López is working on belong to his children , Juan and José .
In 2014 , they left the Guatemalan highlands to seek opportunity thousands of miles away in the United States .
They don ’ t plan on returning anytime soon , but sending earnings home from their jobs as construction and landscape workers in New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be deported .
These homes are commonly referred to as “ remittance houses.
” An estimated 1.4 million Guatemalans and people with Guatemalan ancestry live in the U.S. , sending more than $ 10.5 billion in remittances home in 2019 .
That money is used to pay school fees , put food on the table for family members left behind , or to bolster the local economies in towns and villages where employment opportunities are nearly nonexistent .
Last year , more than 54,500 Guatemalans were deported back to rural communities like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many arrive to the U.S. as unauthorized migrants due to the difficulty in getting a visa .
“ You don ’ t know if tomorrow or the next day immigration will arrive and send them to their homeland , ” Mr. Vail López says of migrants like his sons .
“ But here they have a place to live .
This is the idea for the Guatemalans that live [ in the U.S. ] ” Buildings like these – often constructed in a U.S. style , with multiple stories and ornate windows , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to define towns like Cajolá , made up of 15,000 people who work largely in subsistence agriculture .
Cajolá is a product of decades of migration and the inextricable relationship between migrants and the community they left behind .
Remittances make up roughly 75 % of household incomes here , community leaders estimate .
“ If you ’ re young and you have any aspirations of buying a home ... it ’ s really vital that you go to the United States , ” says Richard Johnson , a researcher at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage in Guatemala hovers around $ 11 per day , and the majority of the economy depends on low-paying , informal labor .
It ’ s “ almost destiny ” that young Guatemalans will try to move abroad , he says .
“ Otherwise , you ’ re looking at a life of being impoverished.
” Rising cases of coronavirus in both the United States and Guatemala may shrink remittances and slow the rapid rise of the homes , but migration and deportation continue despite the pandemic .
Remittances to Latin America are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 .
For now , construction continues in Cajolá .
Looking out across the town , it ’ s easy to pick out which buildings are constructed from remittances .
They are often extravagantly large compared with the modest , single-story adobe houses historically built along the rolling green hills and farmland .
Guatemala is predominantly rural , and owning land represents success .
Passing a home or farm down to the next generation has deep significance in indigenous cultures here , which believe their people have a special connection to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many to migrate , and earn the funds to build .
This is especially true in Cajolá , where 96 % of the population is Maya Mam .
Having a home – and the financial security that comes with that kind of asset – was a key reason Mr. Vail López migrated to the U.S. more than 20 years ago .
He , too , built a remittance house .
Back then , when telephones were scarce and illiteracy rates were high , he mailed audio cassette tapes to his wife and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mam , how he wanted the new home to look .
Today , Cajolá is a checkerboard of construction , with gray brick and scaffolding alongside multicolored homes .
Isidrio López works on one of these sites , laying down slabs of concrete and gray brick with a careful hand .
For the past six years , he ’ s sustained his family by building homes .
He said he ’ s watched construction skyrocket , a reflection of Cajolá ’ s remittance-based economy .
“ The construction has always been growing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years , ” he says , leaning on a chest-high brick wall .
This jump in remittances is a product of both increased migration northward and a feeling of instability among migrants as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up migration enforcement .
Mr. López owns a remittance house himself .
He paid for it with 10 years of work on a New York dairy farm .
He came back to Cajolá in 2010 once he ’ d saved up enough money to build his family ’ s home .
In Cajolá , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , infrastructure , and jobs .
But experts note that these houses have an indirect effect .
A remittance home may act as a safety net , but many are driven to migrate when they see such grand homes popping up around them .
“ It can create [ these ] sort of social differentiated communities that draw more people into the ‘ migration economy ’ as a means of keeping up , ” says Professor Johnson .
It ’ s something Marina Díaz , a former migrant and Cajolá resident , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her tidy one-story house is wedged between buildings mimicking New Jersey suburbs and Atlanta ’ s classic white architecture .
The majority sit vacant , changing the social structure of her town .
What used to be far-reaching farmland is now covered in empty homes .
Even , if the owners do return , Ms. Díaz says many won ’ t stick around long enough to make Cajolá home again .
A big home doesn ’ t change the fact that Guatemala isn ’ t a sustainable place to build a life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are slim economic and educational opportunities , forcing people to seek opportunity elsewhere .
From her rooftop patio , Ms. Díaz looks out at the grand buildings that stand on land once used to plant corn .
“ There ’ s so much land that doesn ’ t give food anymore , ” she says .
But for Mr. Vail López , that very shift has transformed his family ’ s life and offers them hope .
“ My dream was to build a place to live , and buy a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seated in his white-walled remittance house .
“ It was my dream , and I did it .
”

Even as deportations continue, and COVID-19 shutdowns reduce work for migrants, “remittance homes” keep rising in Guatemala’s highlands. They’re symbols of the resilience – and fragility – of the American dream.
Marina Díaz, a former migrant, doesn’t see the benefit: Even if someone is deported, a big house doesn’t change Guatemala’s lacking economic and educational opportunities. But for Israel Vail López, building with remittances changed his life. “My dream was to build a place to live. … I did it.”
Remittances from the U.S. – $10.5 billion in 2019 – fund infrastructure projects, pay school fees, and ensure there’s food. For many, these houses encapsulate the American dream. But there are consequences. Big homes can divide towns into successful migrants and those who don’t have the economic cushion of remittances. That inspires others to travel north, feeding the cycle of migration.
The rolling, green hills here have been replaced in recent years by sprawling – mostly uninhabited – homes. These so-called remittance homes are built with money sent back to Guatemala by migrants in the U.S., serving for many as a safety net in case of deportation.
Israel Vail López walks from room to room, treading across construction dust that powders the hardwood floor in this new home. It has high ceilings and freshly painted white walls, and he proudly turns on the lights to show his hard work.
This house and another Mr. Vail López is working on belong to his children, Juan and José. In 2014, they left the Guatemalan highlands to seek opportunity thousands of miles away in the United States. They don’t plan on returning anytime soon, but sending earnings home from their jobs as construction and landscape workers in New Jersey serves as a safety net should they be deported. These homes are commonly referred to as “remittance houses.”
An estimated 1.4 million Guatemalans and people with Guatemalan ancestry live in the U.S., sending more than $10.5 billion in remittances home in 2019. That money is used to pay school fees, put food on the table for family members left behind, or to bolster the local economies in towns and villages where employment opportunities are nearly nonexistent. Last year, more than 54,500 Guatemalans were deported back to rural communities like this one. While some migrate legally, many arrive to the U.S. as unauthorized migrants due to the difficulty in getting a visa.
Why We Wrote This Even as deportations continue, and COVID-19 shutdowns reduce work for migrants, “remittance homes” keep rising in Guatemala’s highlands. They’re symbols of the resilience – and fragility – of the American dream.
“You don’t know if tomorrow or the next day immigration will arrive and send them to their homeland,” Mr. Vail López says of migrants like his sons. “But here they have a place to live. This is the idea for the Guatemalans that live [in the U.S.]”
Buildings like these – often constructed in a U.S. style, with multiple stories and ornate windows, pillars, and balconies – have grown to define towns like Cajolá, made up of 15,000 people who work largely in subsistence agriculture. Cajolá is a product of decades of migration and the inextricable relationship between migrants and the community they left behind. Remittances make up roughly 75% of household incomes here, community leaders estimate.
“If you’re young and you have any aspirations of buying a home ... it’s really vital that you go to the United States,” says Richard Johnson, a researcher at the University of Arizona who studies Guatemala. Minimum wage in Guatemala hovers around $11 per day, and the majority of the economy depends on low-paying, informal labor.
It’s “almost destiny” that young Guatemalans will try to move abroad, he says. “Otherwise, you’re looking at a life of being impoverished.”
View Gallery Gallery: 1 of 10 Megan Janetsky/Special to The Christian Science Monitor Loading...
Rising cases of coronavirus in both the United States and Guatemala may shrink remittances and slow the rapid rise of the homes, but migration and deportation continue despite the pandemic. Remittances to Latin America are estimated to drop by nearly 20% in 2020. For now, construction continues in Cajolá.
Looking out across the town, it’s easy to pick out which buildings are constructed from remittances. They are often extravagantly large compared with the modest, single-story adobe houses historically built along the rolling green hills and farmland.
Guatemala is predominantly rural, and owning land represents success. Passing a home or farm down to the next generation has deep significance in indigenous cultures here, which believe their people have a special connection to their land. It’s a motivator for many to migrate, and earn the funds to build. This is especially true in Cajolá, where 96% of the population is Maya Mam.
Having a home – and the financial security that comes with that kind of asset – was a key reason Mr. Vail López migrated to the U.S. more than 20 years ago. He, too, built a remittance house.
Back then, when telephones were scarce and illiteracy rates were high, he mailed audio cassette tapes to his wife and sons, detailing in their language, Mam, how he wanted the new home to look.
Today, Cajolá is a checkerboard of construction, with gray brick and scaffolding alongside multicolored homes. Isidrio López works on one of these sites, laying down slabs of concrete and gray brick with a careful hand.
For the past six years, he’s sustained his family by building homes. He said he’s watched construction skyrocket, a reflection of Cajolá’s remittance-based economy.
“The construction has always been growing, but especially in these last two or three years,” he says, leaning on a chest-high brick wall. This jump in remittances is a product of both increased migration northward and a feeling of instability among migrants as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up migration enforcement.
Mr. López owns a remittance house himself. He paid for it with 10 years of work on a New York dairy farm. He came back to Cajolá in 2010 once he’d saved up enough money to build his family’s home.
In Cajolá, migration and remittances have generated economic security, infrastructure, and jobs. But experts note that these houses have an indirect effect. A remittance home may act as a safety net, but many are driven to migrate when they see such grand homes popping up around them.
“It can create [these] sort of social differentiated communities that draw more people into the ‘migration economy’ as a means of keeping up,” says Professor Johnson.
It’s something Marina Díaz, a former migrant and Cajolá resident, says she’s surrounded by – literally. Her tidy one-story house is wedged between buildings mimicking New Jersey suburbs and Atlanta’s classic white architecture. The majority sit vacant, changing the social structure of her town. What used to be far-reaching farmland is now covered in empty homes. Even, if the owners do return, Ms. Díaz says many won’t stick around long enough to make Cajolá home again.
A big home doesn’t change the fact that Guatemala isn’t a sustainable place to build a life for many young people, she says. There are slim economic and educational opportunities, forcing people to seek opportunity elsewhere.
From her rooftop patio, Ms. Díaz looks out at the grand buildings that stand on land once used to plant corn. “There’s so much land that doesn’t give food anymore,” she says.
But for Mr. Vail López, that very shift has transformed his family’s life and offers them hope.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“My dream was to build a place to live, and buy a place to plant,” he says, seated in his white-walled remittance house.
“It was my dream, and I did it.”


csmonitor--2020-06-22--WHO reports biggest one-day surge of coronavirus cases worldwide

The World Health Organization on Sunday reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases by its count , at more than 183,000 new cases in the latest 24 hours .
The UN health agency said Brazil led the way with 54,771 cases tallied and the U.S. next at 36,617 .
Over 15,400 came in in India .
Experts said rising case counts could reflect multiple factors including more widespread testing , the ending of lockdowns , as well as broader infection .
Overall in the pandemic , WHO reported 8,708,008 cases — 183,020 in the last 24 hours — with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase of 4,743 .
More than two-thirds of those new deaths were reported in the Americas .
In Spain , officials ended a national state of emergency after three months of lockdown , allowing its 47 million residents to freely travel around the country for the first time since March 14 .
The country also dropped a 14-day quarantine for visitors from Britain and the 26 European countries that allow visa-free travel .
But there was only a trickle of travelers at Madrid-Barajas Airport , which on a normal June day would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now have , not having to justify our journey to see our family and friends , this was something that we were really looking forward to , ” Pedro Delgado , 23 , said after arriving from Spain ’ s Canary Islands .
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged people to take maximum precautions : “ The virus can return and it can hit us again in a second wave , and we have to do whatever we can to avoid that at all cost.
” At a campaign rally in Tulsa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has tested 25 million people , but the “ bad part ” is that it found more cases .
“ When you do testing to that extent , you ’ re going to find more people , you ’ re going to find more cases , ” Trump said .
“ So I said to my people , ‘ Slow the testing down , please.
’ ″ White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on CNN that Trump was being “ tongue-in-cheek ” and made the comment in a “ light mood.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused Trump of “ putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people.
” The U.S. has the world 's highest number of reported infections , over 2.2 million , and the highest death toll , at about 120,000 , according to Johns Hopkins .
Health officials say robust testing is vital for tracking outbreaks and keeping the virus in check .
The virus appears to be spreading across the West and South .
Arizona reported over 3,100 new infections , just short of Friday ’ s record , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new high of 445 cases .
Every team in Major League Baseball has closed its spring training camp ( in Florida and Arizona ) over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic , a move that came in the wake of the Philadelphia Phillies announcing Friday five players had tested positive for COVID-19 .
The closures come while MLB owners and players try to negotiate a deal to begin the season , and raise the possibility the virus outbreak could scuttle all attempts at starting up this year .
The baseball facilities will undergo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , lockdown restrictions prevented druids , pagans and party-goers on Sunday from watching the sun rise at the ancient circle of Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice , the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere .
English Heritage , which runs the site , livestreamed it instead .
A few people gathered outside the fence .
The number of confirmed virus cases is still growing rapidly not only in the U.S. but in Brazil , South Africa and other countries , especially in Latin America .
Brazil ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases had risen by more than 50,000 in a day .
President Jair Bolsonaro has been downplaying the risks even as his country has seen nearly 50,000 fatalities , the second-highest death toll in the world .
South Africa reported a one-day high of almost 5,000 new cases on Saturday and 46 deaths .
Despite the increase , President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a further loosening of one of the world ’ s strictest lockdowns .
Casinos , beauty salons and sit-down restaurant service will reopen .
In Europe , a single meatpacking plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so the regional government issued a quarantine for all 6,500 workers , managers and family members .
In Asia , China and South Korea reported new coronavirus cases Sunday in outbreaks that threatened to set back their recoveries .
Chinese authorities recorded 25 new confirmed cases — 22 in Beijing .
In the past week , Beijing tightened travel controls by requiring anyone who wants to leave the Chinese capital , a city of 20 million people , to show proof they tested negative for the virus .
In South Korea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees at a door-to-door sales company in Seoul , and at least 70 other infections are tied to a table tennis club there .
But South Korean officials are reluctant to enforce stronger social distancing to avoid hurting the economy .
Joe McDonald reported from Beijing and Kim Tong-hyung reported from Seoul , South Korea .
AP journalists around the world contributed to this report .

The World Health Organization on Sunday reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases by its count, at more than 183,000 new cases in the latest 24 hours.
The UN health agency said Brazil led the way with 54,771 cases tallied and the U.S. next at 36,617. Over 15,400 came in in India.
Experts said rising case counts could reflect multiple factors including more widespread testing, the ending of lockdowns, as well as broader infection.
Overall in the pandemic, WHO reported 8,708,008 cases — 183,020 in the last 24 hours — with 461,715 deaths worldwide, with a daily increase of 4,743.
More than two-thirds of those new deaths were reported in the Americas.
In Spain, officials ended a national state of emergency after three months of lockdown, allowing its 47 million residents to freely travel around the country for the first time since March 14. The country also dropped a 14-day quarantine for visitors from Britain and the 26 European countries that allow visa-free travel.
But there was only a trickle of travelers at Madrid-Barajas Airport, which on a normal June day would be bustling.
“This freedom that we now have, not having to justify our journey to see our family and friends, this was something that we were really looking forward to,” Pedro Delgado, 23, said after arriving from Spain’s Canary Islands.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged people to take maximum precautions: “The virus can return and it can hit us again in a second wave, and we have to do whatever we can to avoid that at all cost.”
At a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trump said Saturday the U.S. has tested 25 million people, but the “bad part” is that it found more cases.
“When you do testing to that extent, you’re going to find more people, you’re going to find more cases,” Trump said. “So I said to my people, ‘Slow the testing down, please.’″
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on CNN that Trump was being “tongue-in-cheek” and made the comment in a “light mood.”
Democratic rival Joe Biden’s campaign accused Trump of “putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people.”
The U.S. has the world's highest number of reported infections, over 2.2 million, and the highest death toll, at about 120,000, according to Johns Hopkins. Health officials say robust testing is vital for tracking outbreaks and keeping the virus in check.
The virus appears to be spreading across the West and South. Arizona reported over 3,100 new infections, just short of Friday’s record, and 26 deaths. Nevada also reported a new high of 445 cases.
Every team in Major League Baseball has closed its spring training camp (in Florida and Arizona) over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, a move that came in the wake of the Philadelphia Phillies announcing Friday five players had tested positive for COVID-19.
The closures come while MLB owners and players try to negotiate a deal to begin the season, and raise the possibility the virus outbreak could scuttle all attempts at starting up this year.
The baseball facilities will undergo a deep cleaning and disinfecting.
In England, lockdown restrictions prevented druids, pagans and party-goers on Sunday from watching the sun rise at the ancient circle of Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. English Heritage, which runs the site, livestreamed it instead. A few people gathered outside the fence.
“You can’t cancel the sunrise,” druid Arthur Pendragon told the BBC.
The number of confirmed virus cases is still growing rapidly not only in the U.S. but in Brazil, South Africa and other countries, especially in Latin America.
Brazil’s Health Ministry said the total number of cases had risen by more than 50,000 in a day. President Jair Bolsonaro has been downplaying the risks even as his country has seen nearly 50,000 fatalities, the second-highest death toll in the world.
South Africa reported a one-day high of almost 5,000 new cases on Saturday and 46 deaths. Despite the increase, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a further loosening of one of the world’s strictest lockdowns. Casinos, beauty salons and sit-down restaurant service will reopen.
In Europe, a single meatpacking plant in Germany has had over 1,000 cases, so the regional government issued a quarantine for all 6,500 workers, managers and family members.
In Asia, China and South Korea reported new coronavirus cases Sunday in outbreaks that threatened to set back their recoveries.
Chinese authorities recorded 25 new confirmed cases — 22 in Beijing. In the past week, Beijing tightened travel controls by requiring anyone who wants to leave the Chinese capital, a city of 20 million people, to show proof they tested negative for the virus.
In South Korea, nearly 200 infections have been traced to employees at a door-to-door sales company in Seoul, and at least 70 other infections are tied to a table tennis club there. But South Korean officials are reluctant to enforce stronger social distancing to avoid hurting the economy.
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___
Joe McDonald reported from Beijing and Kim Tong-hyung reported from Seoul, South Korea. AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-06-22--Monday Sunrise Briefing: Tulsa rally falls short of expectations

President Donald Trump ’ s first campaign rally in 110 days was meant to be a defiant display of MAGA loyalists intended to energize the candidate , float new lines of attack against Joe Biden , and serve as a symbol of America 's economic reopening .
But the turnout in Tulsa , Oklahoma , fizzled , and Mr. Trump left fuming .
On Sunday , campaign officials blamed low attendance on fears that racial injustice protests near the venue might turn violent .
They were peaceful .
The president is scheduled to visit a new section of border wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a naval shipyard Thursday , in Wisconsin .
Mr. Trump won both key states in 2016 , but trails in the polls there now .
2 .
Judicial integrity challenged .
The Saturday firing of the chief federal prosecutor who oversaw the prosecution of Trump 's former personal lawyer , Michael Cohen , and who is managing investigations of the president 's current lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , along with two of Mr. Giuliani 's former business associates , raises anew questions about U.S. Attorney General William Barr ’ s loyalty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats .
Just 48 hours prior to dismissing Geoffrey Berman , Mr. Barr had praised him : “ With tenacity and savvy , Geoff has done an excellent job leading one of our nation ’ s most significant U.S. Attorney ’ s Offices.
” 3 .
Uneven progress against virus .
In Spain , officials ended three months of lockdown by allowing residents to freely travel around the country .
The country also dropped a 14-day quarantine for visitors from Britain and the 26 European countries that allow visa-free travel .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases with Brazil leading the way followed by the U.S. and India .
In the U.S. , 11 states , mostly in the South and West , reported a record number of cases this week .
And Major League Baseball temporarily closed all spring training camps in Arizona and Florida for cleaning after personnel tested positive for COVID-19 .
Arizona and Wisconsin campaign .
Vice President Mike Pence plans to hold the first `` Faith in America '' campaign event near Milwaukee .
President Trump is schedule to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wisconsin on Thursday .
Obama joins 2020 campaign .
Former President Obama makes his fundraising debut for his former veep , Joe Biden , with an online event .
Primary practice for November .
Voters in New York and Kentucky vote for candidates for president , congress , and state legislature .
The voting process - after the debacle in Georgia two weeks ago - may be as important as the results .
Another Trump Tell-all .
Excerpts and copies have been in circulation in the media for a week , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where It Happened ” officially hits the book stores today .
A federal judge said Saturday that the `` damage was done , '' ruling against a U.S. Justice Department injunction to stop publication for national security reasons .
A Trump boost ?
Polish President Andrzej Duda is scheduled to visit the White House , a trip he hopes will boost his reelection prospects .
Poles go to the polls on Sunday , June 28 .
A Smithsonian festival , online .
Food , music , science , and conservation programs from around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Festival won ’ t be on the National Mall in D.C. , but it will be online .
Explore culture from the couch June 24-July 5 .
Democracy voted out ?
Russian citizens to vote ( June 25-July 1 ) in a nationwide plebiscite on constitutional changes that could keep President Vladimir Putin in power until 2036 .
Walk among the stars .
Two NASA astronauts take a spacewalk to replace old batteries outside the International Space Station .
Watch live starting at 7:30 a.m. E.T .
Amid the protests of systemic racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You might call it systemic generosity .
And it reflects the persistence of individuals to see past stereotypes .
In Tennessee , Sumner County Deputy Jody McDowell now knows what it ’ s like to be truly seen .
He was eating breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near the Nashville International Airport this past week , when a server told him someone had paid for his food and left Deputy McDowell this handwritten note : “ BLM ( Black Lives Matter ) But so does yours !
Thank you for your service .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant staff that the bill was paid by two Black women catching a flight home to Baltimore , Maryland .
Deputy McDowell posted their note and his own words of gratitude on Facebook , hoping that it reaches his anonymous donors .
`` I want to thank the two sweet black ladies who paid for my breakfast this morning .
While waiting for a transport to be completed , I decided to have breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near the Nashville airport ... . ''
Start your week with a recent story that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman safeguards Jewish history for all Moroccans In tonight ’ s Daily Edition , watch for our story about racial inequality in the Middle East , and new efforts to address `` casual racism . ''
Finally , check out the Monitor ’ s selected stories from Friday 's subscription-only Daily Edition : • ‘ It ’ s way past time to try something new ’ : The push to defund police • How rule of law saved DACA , for now • Violent racism : Can Floyd protests help break old cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clash with India , a pattern of Chinese assertiveness • Echoes of freedom : Commentary on Juneteenth and the power of legislation • Untangling the ocean trash glut , one “ ghost net ” at a time Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday news update .
Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think .
Thank you !

President Donald Trump’s first campaign rally in 110 days was meant to be a defiant display of MAGA loyalists intended to energize the candidate, float new lines of attack against Joe Biden, and serve as a symbol of America's economic reopening. But the turnout in Tulsa, Oklahoma, fizzled, and Mr. Trump left fuming. On Sunday, campaign officials blamed low attendance on fears that racial injustice protests near the venue might turn violent. They were peaceful. The president is scheduled to visit a new section of border wall in Yuma, Ariz., on Tuesday and a naval shipyard Thursday, in Wisconsin. Mr. Trump won both key states in 2016, but trails in the polls there now.
2. Judicial integrity challenged. The Saturday firing of the chief federal prosecutor who oversaw the prosecution of Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and who is managing investigations of the president's current lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, along with two of Mr. Giuliani's former business associates, raises anew questions about U.S. Attorney General William Barr’s loyalty to the president over the country, say Democrats. Just 48 hours prior to dismissing Geoffrey Berman, Mr. Barr had praised him: “With tenacity and savvy, Geoff has done an excellent job leading one of our nation’s most significant U.S. Attorney’s Offices.”
3. Uneven progress against virus. In Spain, officials ended three months of lockdown by allowing residents to freely travel around the country. The country also dropped a 14-day quarantine for visitors from Britain and the 26 European countries that allow visa-free travel. But the World Health Organization on Sunday reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases with Brazil leading the way followed by the U.S. and India. In the U.S., 11 states, mostly in the South and West, reported a record number of cases this week. And Major League Baseball temporarily closed all spring training camps in Arizona and Florida for cleaning after personnel tested positive for COVID-19.
Why We Wrote This Good morning! Welcome to your Monday, June 22, 2020, sunrise briefing. Here are three news events from this past weekend (while you may have been listening to the just released "Never Gonna Break My Faith," by Aretha Franklin, celebrating Dad, and enjoying an offline life). Also, what to look for in the news this week.
AP Photo/Manish Swarup View caption Hide caption People in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East witnessed a partial solar eclipse, when the moon covered most of the sun. Here, a couple watches from their rooftop in New Delhi, India, Sunday, June 21, 2020.
Look Ahead
Tuesday, June 23
Arizona and Wisconsin campaign. Vice President Mike Pence plans to hold the first "Faith in America" campaign event near Milwaukee. President Trump is schedule to visit Yuma, Ariz., on Tuesday and Wisconsin on Thursday.
Obama joins 2020 campaign. Former President Obama makes his fundraising debut for his former veep, Joe Biden, with an online event.
Primary practice for November. Voters in New York and Kentucky vote for candidates for president, congress, and state legislature. The voting process - after the debacle in Georgia two weeks ago - may be as important as the results.
Another Trump Tell-all. Excerpts and copies have been in circulation in the media for a week, but John Bolton’s “The Room Where It Happened” officially hits the book stores today. A federal judge said Saturday that the "damage was done," ruling against a U.S. Justice Department injunction to stop publication for national security reasons.
Wednesday, June 24
A Trump boost? Polish President Andrzej Duda is scheduled to visit the White House, a trip he hopes will boost his reelection prospects. Poles go to the polls on Sunday, June 28.
A Smithsonian festival, online. Food, music, science, and conservation programs from around the world. The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival won’t be on the National Mall in D.C. , but it will be online. Explore culture from the couch June 24-July 5.
Thursday, June 25
Democracy voted out? Russian citizens to vote (June 25-July 1) in a nationwide plebiscite on constitutional changes that could keep President Vladimir Putin in power until 2036.
Friday, June 26
Walk among the stars. Two NASA astronauts take a spacewalk to replace old batteries outside the International Space Station. Watch live starting at 7:30 a.m. E.T.
Generosity Watch
Jody McDowell via Facebook View caption Hide caption Two black women from Maryland left this note for Sumner County Deputy Jody McDowell after they paid for his breakfast last week.
Amid the protests of systemic racial inequality and injustice, kindness persists. You might call it systemic generosity. And it reflects the persistence of individuals to see past stereotypes.
In Tennessee, Sumner County Deputy Jody McDowell now knows what it’s like to be truly seen.
He was eating breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near the Nashville International Airport this past week, when a server told him someone had paid for his food and left Deputy McDowell this handwritten note:
“BLM (Black Lives Matter) But so does yours! Thank you for your service. Breakfast paid.”
He was told by restaurant staff that the bill was paid by two Black women catching a flight home to Baltimore, Maryland.
Deputy McDowell posted their note and his own words of gratitude on Facebook, hoping that it reaches his anonymous donors.
"I want to thank the two sweet black ladies who paid for my breakfast this morning. While waiting for a transport to be completed, I decided to have breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near the Nashville airport...."
Hidden gem
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers:
Why a Muslim woman safeguards Jewish history for all Moroccans
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