A sigh of relief as theyre allowed to exercise outdoors again a country that same one of europes top us coronavirus lockdowns is gradually easing its restrictions. And in the u. S. Small states begin anything coronavirus lockdown rules and reopening opinion is divided across the country with Many Americans and americans warning its too soon to return to business as usual. Im a wreck or it is 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 Broadcast video of came at a dedication ceremony adding that he was greeted with thunderous applause from the crowd cames 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 32. 00 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 with 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 coastal 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. Correspondent frank smyth joins me now from seoul frank weve just seen that new video from the state news agency appearing to show kim jong un 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 Education 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 leader of 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 un was dead so this really goes to show you the opaque nature of media coming out of north korea and definitely why was there a list of a 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 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 your jiang that we saw in the background that weve seen assisting kim jong un with his various duties including the recent son thats that he had with south korean president in and us president donald trump. On facts in self thanks very much for the update. Here in europe the country with the most coronavirus cases spankin has now surpassed 25000 deaths and the number of new infections is on the decline and the countrys began easing some of its Strict Lockdown measures for 7 weeks only one person per household was allowed to leave their homes to go Grocery Shopping or walk their dog but starting today spaniards are allowed to go outside to exercise it still under strict instructions. A celebration of freedom in the treated. 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. 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. Mr governor. I feel great there are 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 i am oxford children with the remaining time slots reserved for the elderly. Already is 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. Now lets take a look at some of the other developments in the corona virus pandemic the total number of corona virus infections in europe now tops 1500000 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 for 2 more months until july 24th the countrys Health Minister said lifting the emergency this month would be too soon and saxony unhealth is that to become the 1st german state to ease contact restrictions starting monday people can get together in groups of up to 5. German chancellor Angela Merkel says germany is prepared to make a significant financial contribution to the development of a coronavirus back saying on monday the e. U. Will host a donors conference for governments and organizations to pledge money machall called for Global Cooperation in her weekly radio address. On an interview with a carney body can get sick with this virus and so its our task to Work Together across the globe this is not only an opportunity to working together rather i would say its a necessity germany is taking on this responsibility and will make sure that once a vaccine is developed that it benefits all people the good rule. German chancellor Angela Merkel there in germany there may day holiday passed off quieter than usual this year the official trade union events to Mark International labor day was strained online but in some german cities there were still some of the traditional street protests left by left leaning demonstrators. The scuffles broke out before nightfall rocks and bottles were thrown and fireworks set off in berlin scrotes bear district social distancing and Infection Prevention all forgotten in similar scenes and 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. Cannot convince 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 into being. 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. And after a brief look at some of the other stories making headlines around the world i cruise ship with almost 3000 crew on board has been put under quarantine in the german port of cooks half and after one person tested positive for covert 9 tain the ships being used to transport crewmembers from the cruise fleet of the to a travel company there are no passengers on board. A prison ride in venezuela has erupted over a ban on relatives bringing food to inmates at least 17 inmates were killed and 9 injured after the army stormed the last yanis prison in the Western State of putting gays or. Shares in the electric comic at tesla tumbled by more than 10 percent after a series of bizarre tweet by its chief executives a long mosque posted that the stock price was too high and said he would sell off most of his positions. When the us 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 still too soon for a return to normal even as protesters in some states cape up the pressure on local leaders to reopen theres little consensus with different states 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 or work with about 60 people diners who showed up celebrated the ok jd we were thinking which is 1st restaurant were going to go to after we are able to come out now and this is the one that we ended up bad so were really happy here hes here but. You know this is great. Elsewhere people are on edge in states including california where tough restrictions remain in force police in los angeles had 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. Ok run a virus has brought normal life to a halt in so many countries across the globe so in these difficult times people have needed to become creative here in germany one Night Club Owner has come up with a way to beat the blues a calm disco. Numbers of people party the night away dancing in their cars and taking to strict social distancing rules the organizers said that even though people couldnt be together physically the disco gave the guests a real sense of togetherness. Its like. The news nick spice that will be with you next hour im rebecca ridges in berlin for me on the entire tain here thanks very much for joining us. How does a virus spread. Why do we have it and when will. Just through the topics covered in the weekly read your blog is called spectrum if you would like any information on the coronavirus or any other science topic you should really check out our podcast you can get it wherever you get your podcast you can also find us at. Science