EUROPEAN UNION

Even with efforts in place to contain the virus, COVID-19 has killed more than 661,000 people around the world.

The US, the hardest-hit country by the virus, added one million new cases in just over two weeks, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The chief Brexit negotiators of UK and EU ruled out a deal framework by the end of July because of fundamental gaps in major areas.

The deal was sealed after intense negotiations that saw threats of walkouts, vetoes and fierce opposition from the Netherlands and Austria.

The studies provided a much-needed shot in the arm for investors, who have been put on edge in recent weeks by worrying spikes in new infections.

The 50-page report was compiled last year, but was held back because of the general election in December, despite being cleared for publication.

The marathon talks chaired by EU Council President Charles Michel failed to yield agreement over the size, rules for a 750-billion-euro loans, grants package.

The commission's historic ruling against Apple was delivered in August 2016 by Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

The country is currently in a standstill transition period until the end of the year as it tries to negotiate a new trade deal with Brussels.

The United States is the world's worst-hit country with 135,171 deaths from 3,301,820 cases.

British and EU negotiators are making slow progress in working towards an agreement on future relations.

Merkel's last major role on the international stage comes as the 27-member club faces its deepest recession since World War II.

The legislation was unanimously approved by China's rubber-stamp parliament on Tuesday morning.

The new round of talks in Brussels will be the first to be held face-to-face since the coronavirus shutdown.

So far this year, the auto market has shrank 41.5 percent due to the impact of coronavirus lockdowns.

Europe faces its biggest recession in the bloc's 63-year history, and states are under pressure to look beyond their own borders.

It was Johnson's first personal involvement in the talks, which began just weeks after Britain left the EU on January 31 after 47 years.

Monday's video conference with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel will review progress in the talks.

Britain is expected to ask for any extension to the post-Brexit transition and so is on track to leave the single market and EU customs union on December 31.

Despite the threat of another trade war, investors are focusing on the easing of lockdowns around the world.

Experts said the concession would demonstrate to Brussels that London took the Northern Ireland deal seriously.