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Friday

Syria Is Overwhelmed By Coronavirus As Govt Conceals Outbreak, Health Worker Says

A medic checks the temperature of a Syrian worshipper before entering the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus to attend Friday prayer on May 15. To try to slow the coronavirus outbreak, the Syrian government has banned mass prayers and asked Syrians to stay home over the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha this weekend. Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

Syria Is Overwhelmed By Coronavirus As Govt Conceals Outbreak, Health Worker Says

Medical workers in and outside the country say there's a lack of medicine and tests.

A 37-Year-Old Opposition Candidate Challenges The Longtime Leader Of Belarus

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, presidential candidate in Belarus elections 2020, makes the symbol of victory in a rally in Minsk. Celestino Arce/NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

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Celestino Arce/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Europe

A 37-Year-Old Opposition Candidate Challenges The Longtime Leader Of Belarus

"I'm tired of being silent. I'm tired of being afraid," said opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who entered the race after her blogger husband was jailed.

Facebook Has Moved To Ban Sales Of Looted Antiquities. Will It Make A Difference?

Screenshot of video on Facebook showing an Egyptian sarcophagus with mummy inside for sale. According to the ATHAR Project, the video is from an area known for extensive antiquities looting. Facebook bans trade in antiquities and human remains, but relies on user reports to flag suspect items. This post, reported by ATHAR using the Facebook system, was not deemed to violate Facebook's standards. Screenshot by NPR hide caption

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Screenshot by NPR

Facebook Has Moved To Ban Sales Of Looted Antiquities. Will It Make A Difference?

Archaeologists have ID'ed 100-plus Facebook groups offering looted and illicit antiquities for sale. New rules ban the sale of "historical artifacts" on Facebook but critics want more enforcement.

Facebook Has Moved To Ban Sales Of Looted Antiquities. Will It Make A Difference?

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Hong Kong Delays Elections For A Year, Citing Coronavirus Pandemic

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, shown here arriving for a news conference in Hong Kong on Friday, is delaying the region's legislative elections by a year. Kin Cheung/AP hide caption

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Kin Cheung/AP

Coronavirus Updates

Hong Kong Delays Elections For A Year, Citing Coronavirus Pandemic

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says she is postponing legislative elections slated for Sept. 6 due to a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Critics say it will further erode the Chinese territory's autonomy.

What 6 Of The 7 Countries With The Most COVID-19 Cases Have In Common
NPR

Goats and Soda

What 6 Of The 7 Countries With The Most COVID-19 Cases Have In Common

They're up-and-coming nations. They're regional political powers. And they're especially vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic.

What 6 Of The 7 Countries With The Most COVID-19 Cases Have In Common

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Don't Like The View From Your Window? Try Someone Else's

Is staying at home giving you pandemic restlessness? Try a new window's view — or explore a new place on a "walk." d3sign/Getty Images hide caption

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d3sign/Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

Don't Like The View From Your Window? Try Someone Else's

Maybe it's been awhile since you got out. Staying home during the coronavirus pandemic has meant your view has not changed. For months. Try a change of scenery — without going outside.

Don't Like The View From Your Window? Try Someone Else's

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Thursday

Technology

Google Plans To Lay A New Trans-Atlantic Cable To Improve Internet Infrastructure

Google announced Tuesday that it is planning to lay a new trans-Atlantic underwater cable that it claims will ensure a significant upgrade to the U.S.-Europe Internet infrastructure.

Google Plans To Lay A New Trans-Atlantic Cable To Improve Internet Infrastructure

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Europe

Protests Over The Arrest Of A Popular Governor Continue For 3rd Week In Russia

After nearly three weeks of protests in Russia's Far East over the arrest of a provincial governor, neither Moscow nor the protesters seem willing to back down.

Protests Over The Arrest Of A Popular Governor Continue For 3rd Week In Russia

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'If Coronavirus Doesn't Kill Me, Hunger Will': Mexico's Poor Bear Brunt Of Pandemic

Relatives of those who have died from COVID-19 visit graves in the special area of the Municipal Pantheon of Valle de Chalco, Mexico. The coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on the country, especially its poorest citizens. Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images

The Coronavirus Crisis

'If Coronavirus Doesn't Kill Me, Hunger Will': Mexico's Poor Bear Brunt Of Pandemic

Low earners have been doubly hit: They make up the highest share of virus-related deaths and lack the funds to stay afloat as the pandemic plunges Mexico deeper into recession.

'If Coronavirus Doesn't Kill Me, Hunger Will': Mexico's Poor Bear Brunt Of Pandemic

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Michelle Bolsonaro, Brazil's First Lady, Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Michelle Bolsonaro tested positive on Thursday — days after her husband, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, said he had recovered from the disease. The pair are seen here at an event on Wednesday. Alan Santos/Planalto Palace photograph hide caption

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Alan Santos/Planalto Palace photograph

Coronavirus Updates

Michelle Bolsonaro, Brazil's First Lady, Tests Positive For Coronavirus

"She is in a state of good health and will follow all established protocols," the Planalto Palace says. The news comes as Brazil — with record high infection rates — lifts its air travel ban.

Asia

Vietnamese Officials Thought They Had Coronavirus Under Control

Vietnam had been a success story in beating the coronavirus: zero deaths and only 430 confirmed cases. But a new cluster has changed things. The prime minister warns every province is under threat.

Vietnamese Officials Thought They Had Coronavirus Under Control

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