Bloomberg - Evening Briefing - Summer and the coronavirus

Evening Briefing
Bloomberg

It's been almost three months since the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak of a novel coronavirus to be a pandemic. The pathogen has infected more than 5.8 million people and killed more than 360,000, but the real numbers may be much higher. While some nations, like Japan and New Zealand, have so far contained the damage, others like Italy, Spain, and most catastrophically America, have not, leading to unprecedented death and misery. Across Latin America, the Middle East and South Asia, the disease is running wild. As summer arrives in the northern hemisphere, restrictions are being lifted in a bid to stem the economic trauma, albeit in many cases too early when it comes to infection rates. A second wave, and its timing, remain front of mind as weary people emerge from isolation. David E. Rovella

Bloomberg is mapping the pandemic globally and across America. For the latest news, sign up for our Covid-19 podcast and daily newsletter.

Here are today’s top stories

Furious protests erupted across America after the killing earlier this week of an unarmed black man at the hands four white Minneapolis police officers. Earlier deaths in which unarmed black men and women were killed by police in New York City, Kentucky and elsewhere added intensity to calls for a nationwide reckoning on U.S. police violence toward minorities. In Minneapolis, state police added fuel to the fire when they arrested a black CNN reporter and his camera crew. The journalists were later released with an apology from the governor. Derek Chauvin, the now ex-Minneapolis police officer who prosecutors said placed his knee on George Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes before his death, was charged Friday with third degree murder and manslaughter.

U.S. consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of the world’s largest economy, plunged in April by the most on record. Household outlays fell 13.6% from the prior month, the sharpest drop in records going back to 1959. 

States and cities are slashing jobs in the face of huge deficits spurred by the coronavirus, and a lack of federal assistance in making up the shortfall. But even with the cuts, making the budget math work won’t be simple

Beijing’s decision to force national security laws on Hong Kong has outraged many in the European Union, but it places EU governments on the horns of a dilemma over how to respond. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would end Hong Kong’s special relationship with the U.S., though it was unclear how that would happen. He also said he would cut ties to the WHO, but his earlier threats to end contributions to the global health agency have raised questions about whether he had the authority to do so without Congressional assent.

Hong Kong’s former chief executive lambasted HSBC over not publicly voicing its support for China’s move to crack down on Hong Kong. The U.K. meanwhile put its finger in Beijing’s eye, threatening to make citizenship offers for residents of its former territory.

Uber and Grubhub are haggling over a breakup fee after nearing agreement on a merger price. Grubhub wants Uber to pay it a cash sum should U.S. regulators block the proposed combination of their food-delivery services.

Trump has recently threatened several unilateral actions that are not within the power of his office. Jonathan Bernstein, writing in Bloomberg Opinion, notes that the embattled Republican has also been ignoring those powers to which he’s entitled, like activating the Defense Production Act, which could have been used to better protect overwhelmed medical professionals. Together, Bernstein contends these are signs of presidential weakness. As for Trump’s latest threat against social media companies, Timothy L O’Brien writes that Twitter has nothing to fear.

What you’ll need to know tomorrow

What you’ll want to read in Bloomberg Pursuits

One of the World’s Great Sandwiches Is Back

American home kitchens are at an unprecedented crossroads. The most pedestrian supermarket staples are now as valuable as fancy homemade products. A household’s most prized possessions can include a jar of sourdough starter just as easily as a can of mayonnaise. Thus the stage has been set: Enter the classic tuna melt.
 

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The fear economy

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Bloomberg Follow Us Get the newsletter China's rubber-stamp legislature approved sweeping national security laws in Hong Kong, defying condemnation of a move democracy advocates and residents of

100,000 dead

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Bloomberg Follow Us Get the newsletter While Hong Kong police arrested protestors demanding a total break from China, mainland investors were scooping up stocks in the financial hub. Beijing's plan

Failure of leadership

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Bloomberg Follow Us Get the newsletter Covid-19 is a stress test many world leaders are failing. US President Donald Trump is gambling with people's lives and livelihoods, China's President Xi

The hero America deserves

Friday, May 22, 2020

Bloomberg Follow Us Get the newsletter Top US officials warned Friday that China's push to introduce new security laws in Hong Kong could jeopardize the city's special trade status and spark

Trump’s big gamble

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Bloomberg Follow Us Get the newsletter Hong Kong lawmakers warn that its status as an international financial center is in jeopardy after China announced dramatic plans to crush dissent by writing a

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