World News Roundup: Hong Kong and Beijing officials defend security laws, citing threat of terrorism; Spain to lift quarantine for foreign tourists from July 1 and more

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Hong Kong and Beijing officials defend security laws, citing threat of terrorism

China's foreign ministry office in Hong Kong and the city's security chief on Monday defended proposed national security laws by describing some acts in mass pro-democracy protests last year as terrorism. Several government departments issued statements in defence of the proposal after the biggest protest in the city since the coronavirus lockdown on Sunday.

Spain to lift quarantine for foreign tourists from July 1

Spain will lift a requirement for foreign tourists to undergo a two-week quarantine from July 1, the government said on Monday in a statement. Under current restrictions, visitors from abroad must isolate themselves for two weeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya had previously said the measure would be relaxed in July, without specifying the date.

'What planet are they on?' No respite for UK's Johnson and aide

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced mutiny in his party and fury across Britain on Monday for refusing to sack his closest aide Dominic Cummings, accused of flouting the coronavirus lockdown by driving 250 miles from London. Defending one of Britain's most powerful men, Johnson said at the weekend Cummings acted "responsibly and legally and with integrity" when he travelled in March from London to Durham in northern England with his son and his wife, who was ill with COVID-19 symptoms.

Bust-up over climate weighs on EU-UK talks, risks trade rifts

Britain's refusal to seal climate commitments in a new deal with the European Union to govern their relations after Brexit has become a stumbling block in their deadlocked talks and raises the risk of future trade disputes. While Britain has joined the global Paris agreement to fight climate change and has its own ambitious emissions-cutting goals, London has refused to make binding commitments in the area in the new deal it is seeking with the EU from 2021.

Palestinians easing coronavirus restrictions in West Bank

Mosques, churches and businesses in the occupied West Bank will reopen on Tuesday in an easing of coronavirus restrictions, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Monday. The Palestinian Authority declared a health emergency in March and imposed lockdowns after the first cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

German government, regions tussle over reopening from lockdowns

Germany's central and regional governments were at odds on Monday over when and how far to ease contact distancing rules, with allies of Chancellor Angela Merkel warning that scrapping them risks unleashing a new wave of coronavirus infections. The row erupted after Bodo Ramelow, premier of the eastern state of Thuringia, said on Saturday he would scrap rules on mask-wearing and distancing, relying instead on local measures. The states set most rules affecting day-to-day life in Germany.

Exclusive: Ukraine's anti-graft bureau probes state tender for medical suits

Ukrainian anti-corruption officials are investigating a tender for 71,000 hospital protective suits during the coronavirus pandemic after the government for the first time bypassed its own procurement rules in the health sector. Ukraine, long dogged by rampant corruption, has won rare praise from international donors for its efforts to overhaul procurement processes and tackle graft in its health system. The donors' aid, which hinges on Kiev's success in tackling graft, is sorely needed as a deep recession looms.

Japan lifts Tokyo's state of emergency, eyes fresh stimulus

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted a state of emergency for Tokyo and four remaining areas on Monday after the number of infections fell across the country, but warned that it could be reimposed if the virus started spreading again. The move meant that the whole country would now have the social distancing curbs loosened, after an initial lifting of restrictions for most areas on May 14.

Syria records 20 new coronavirus cases in largest single-day increase

Syria reported 20 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, the largest single-day increase to date, the health ministry said. The war-torn country has recorded 106 infections and four deaths so far, and new cases have increased in recent days with the return of Syrians from abroad, the ministry said.

Russia seeks 18-year jail term for ex-U.S. Marine accused of spying: Ifax

Russian prosecutors asked a court on Monday to sentence former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan to 18 years in prison on charges of espionage, the Interfax news agency reported. The court will announce its verdict on June 15.