Across the country with Many Americans warning its too soon to return to business as usual. Im rebecca its good to have you with us north Korean Leader kim jong un has appeared in public for the 1st time in 3 weeks state media broad conservation of came at a dedication ceremony adding that he was greeted with thunder as applause from the crowd can came as reemergence puts an end to speculation that the north Korean Leader was seriously ill or even dead. The video images from north Korean State Television appear to show kim jong un at the opening of a fertilizer plant he is surrounded by functionaries and appears to be healthy. Most of the attendees are wearing face masks the food each which is not independently verified is said to be from friday kim was absent from the public eye for almost 3 weeks his last public appearance was on the 11th of april at a communist party event in the capital pyongyang. There was no sign of kim a few days later on april 15th one of north koreas most important dates he was absent from ceremonies marking the birth of his grandfather north koreas founder kim hughes soon rumors began to circulate was some u. S. And south korean media citing reports kim was seriously ill following a heart operation these satellite images sparked further speculation the north korea Monitoring Group of 38 north says the show kims personal train parked near the eastern coast the resort of one son where kim has a villa. North korean state media never commented on kims long absence but these latest images are likely to quell the intense speculation about his health. Well correspondent frank smith joins me now from seoul frank weve just saying that new video from the state news agency appearing to show it came alive and well does it in fact settle the speculation over the latest health. Well i think it may in fact settle that that concern about kim jong uns health those images are from Korea Central News Agency north koreas state media in the background you see kim jong. Junk thats kim jong uns sister shes the vice director of the propaganda and Agitation Department in north korea and i would just be kind of too far fetched to consider that they were trying to lie to the north Korean People about the state of d the Leaders Health and this really is remarkable because here in south korea just yesterday you had a south korean lawmaker a north Korean Defector thats a south korean lawmaker say that he was 99 percent sure that kim jong il was dead so this really goes to show you the opaque nature of media coming out of north korea and definitely why was there all the speculation over his health and even death for the past week aside. Well i think when you look at north korea need to look at a few things 1st off as i mentioned of the view into north korea really is blurred if not completely opaque when kim jong il died thats kim jong uns father back in 2011 the International Community the world didnt find out for 2 whole days and only when the Korea Central News Agency announced it we also have to remember north korea has a Nuclear Weapons program its under sanctions from the United NationsSecurity Council and that is a tremendous concern for the International Community what happens to those when there is some change in leadership in north korea and thats where all the speculation has been over the past week who is going to be the next leader and most of that speculation focused on kim jong uns younger sister kim youll jiang that we saw in the background that weve seen assisting kim jong un with his various duties including the recent summits that he had with south korean president in and u. S. President donald trump. In fact in self thanks very much for the update. And now lets take a look at the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic the total number of Coronavirus Infections in europe now tops 1500000. 00 cases according to a new tally russia and pakistan are both reporting their biggest one day jump in new infections france is extending its Health Emergency fit to move months until the 24th of july the countrys Health Minister said lifting the emergency this month would be too soon and saxony on how to is set to become the 1st german state to contact restrictions starting monday people can get together in groups of up to 5. In the u. S. More states are reopening for business and made a fierce nationwide debate over how soon coronavirus lockdown restrictions should be lifted Many Public Health officials have warned its too soon for a return to normal even as protest is in some states keep up the pressure on local leaders to reopen is a little consensus with different states presuming different policies. Finally a day at the beach the sand and gulf waters of galveston have reopened to the public texas has become the biggest u. S. State so far to begin reopening just after recording its highest single day death toll from the coronavirus one florida man dressed as the grim reaper acted as a reminder that beach goers were risking their health. We are dealing with a deadly virus i love our beaches ive been fighting for beaches for years but i think its too soon to draw thousands of millions of people to our beaches after a period in which 90 percent of americans were told to stay home lock down orders have now expired in several states. Barber shops in alabama open their doors to customers overdue for a trim shops movie theaters and restaurants are back in business in various areas though with precautions to enable social distancing. With a 350 person occupancy in a point 5 percent of that is about 87 people but were going to kind of slow down the operations a little bit and work with about 60 people diners who showed up celebrated the ok jd we were thinking which is the 1st restaurant were going to go to after we are able to come out and this is the one that we ended up at so were really happy here is ok but. You know this is great. Elsewhere people are on edge and states including california were tough restrictions remain in force police in los angeles have to keep demonstrators for and against reopening from coming to blows. And a man in texas is facing Assault Charges after pushing a park ranger into the water for asking people to observe social distancing rules. Here in europe the country with the most coronavirus cases spain has now surpassed 25000 deaths but the number of new infections is on the decline and the country has begun easing some of its Strict Lockdown measures for 7 weeks only one person per household was allowed to leave their home to go Grocery Shopping or walk their dog but starting today spaniards are allowed to go outside to exercise again albeit while still under restrictions. A celebration of freedom in madrid. Starting today spaniards can leave their homes to exercise something they havent been able to do in nearly 2 months. Its part of the countrys roadmap to recovery safer for you we feel free this article its essential for physical and Mental Health its essential to allow people to exercise. Alone everyone does what they want if people want to catch it let them catch it but this will mean that in 15 or 20 days well be locked up at home again. With your cousin you know. I feel great theyre very tough restrictions but it is what it is we have to follow the instructions from the Health Ministry because they know more than us has this feeling of freedom is great when this all gets better all of us will feel even better. In a bid to avoid overcrowding the government has implemented a shift system adults can exercise mornings and evenings afternoons or in mock to children with the remaining time slots reserved for the elderly. Parties and monitoring the situation closely with the highest number of cases in europe spain has the continents largest coronavirus Field Hospital in another positive sign its finally closing its doors was the last patients left the facility on friday much to the relief of the medical staff. As spain takes its 1st steps forward the rest of europe is watching closely. Germany and france are spearheading european efforts to Fund Research into a Coronavirus Vaccine a virtual pledging conference next week ams to raise 7 and a half 1000000000 Euros European Commission president as of on the line says the goal is to develop vaccines treatments and tests to be available worldwide at an affordable price. A scientists around the world race to develop a vaccine the e. U. Is trying to rally Global Support in the fight against coronavirus in an interview with t. W. Commission president ursula von the lion called for a cool ordinated approach have to build up capacities to manufacture and zillions of those and then we have to make sure that we can deploy to every corner in the world in a fair and affordable price and thats what exactly were working on for that we need money and we need to go global corporation. The pandemic is also putting a strain on state finances countries like italy and spain want support in the shape of socalled corona bones effectively shared debt between eurozone countries but illustrating the blocks north south divide the plan for each use solidarity has met opposition from germany and the netherlands. In the whole instrument we will have certainly the right balance of loans and grants this is the process where we have to negotiate with all 27 Member States of course and i think this is democracy we have to speak about the detailing out the tailor made programs but all of our do agree that it is important to support the countries that are hardest hit by the virus and the economic consequences. The majority of e. U. Countries have declared states of emergency in a bid to contain the virus but the lion had a warning for any government seeking to abuse those powers. Were looking very closely to how these measures are implemented when it comes to the European Values indeed the freedom of speech the freedom of media for example so we stand ready to intervene immediately if this is not appropriate and time limited. For now the priority remains saving lives and stopping the spread of vaccine the key to some kind of return to normality. Here in germany the may day holiday passed off quieter than usual this year official trade union events to Mark International labor day were strained online but in some german cities there were still some of the traditional street protests by left leaning demonstrated. The scuffles broke out before nightfall rocks and bottles were thrown and fireworks set off in berlin scrotes bare district social distancing and Infection Prevention all forgotten and similar scenes in how birds were several 100 people had gathered for protests police had their hands full breaking up the unauthorized gatherings. In berlin large groups of curious onlookers added to the danger several 1000 people at close quarters hardly any wearing masks. Not convinced some unwise people to respect social distancing rules. People are of course free to walk the streets but we could not always prevent some passers by from clogging the streets and turning into groups of rubber neckers. But most of the may day holiday passed peacefully restrictions on Public Assembly inspired some creative protests like here in berlin but a german camera team was attacked 5 people were injured some seriously 6 others were arrested some 5000 police were deployed in berlin. Youre watching news my back with more News Headlines at the top of the hour in the meantime you can get all the latest news and information on our website thats the day when you dont come cheap