Reuters Company News

MUEHLBACH AM MANHARTSBERG, Austria, June 4 (Reuters) - E uropean countries cautiously emerging from the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic are looking to a second generation of contact tracing apps to help contain further outbreaks.

Copper fell on Thursday as investors reined in their appetite for riskier assets, ending a rally that had lifted prices to 2-1/2 month highs in the previous session.

Brazilian meatpackers JBS SA , Marfrig and Minerva purchased thousands of cattle linked to deforestation of the Amazon rainforest since 2018, advocacy group Greenpeace Brasil alleged in a report published on Thursday.

American Airlines Group Inc said Thursday it will boost its U.S. flight schedule next month over dramatic reductions since the coronavirus pandemic, planning to fly more than 55% of its July 2019 domestic capacity.

Brazilian electronics and appliances retailer Via Varejo SA said on Thursday its board has approved a primary share offering to raise up to 4 billion reais ($790 million) to invest in technology and logistics as well as to strengthen its working capital structure.

U.S. stock index futures slipped on Thursday as a rally fueled by optimism over an economic rebound from a coronavirus-led downturn ran out of steam, with investors awaiting a reading on weekly jobless claims.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc said on Thursday it plans to begin early human trials of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine in South Korea later in June and partnered with non-profit organization International Vaccine Institute.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc on Thursday said it partnered with non-profit organization International Vaccine Institute to begin an early trial of the U.S. biotech's experimental COVID-19 vaccine on humans later this month.

* Graphic: Trade-weighted sterling since Brexit vote http://tmsnrt.rs/2hwV9Hv (Adds comment and Reuters poll)

* Legislation orders schools be taught China's national anthem

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits likely dropped below 2 million last week for the first time since mid-March, but remains astonishingly high as companies adjust to an environment that has been significantly changed by COVID-19.

As oil and gas companies began shutting offshore production before the first tropical storm of the season in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, experts said restarting wells and refineries will take longer and prove more costly this year because of COVID-19.

German agrochemicals group Bayer AG has been blocked from selling its dicamba-based weed killer in the United States after an appeals court rejected a federal regulator's permit for the product.

Central European currencies fell on Thursday, with the crown and zloty leading regional losses, as investors focused on the European Central Bank's policy meeting, which is expected to approve more aid to the coronavirus-hit euro zone. The economic crisis caused by the new virus pandemic had hammered currencies in the region, which is the main trading partner of the euro zone, but a new risk-on mood has partly helped them to recoup a significant part of the

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LVMH's board met this week to discuss the fallout from the coronavirus crisis on its $16.2 billion purchase of U.S. jeweller Tiffany, the luxury goods group said on Thursday, opening the door to a possible attempt to review the deal terms.

South Korean prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for Samsung Group heir Jay Y. Lee, they said on Thursday, in the investigation of a 2015 merger and alleged accounting fraud in a suspected bid to aid his succession plans.

* Brent crude dips after topping $40 for first time since March

British new car sales tumbled by an annual 89% in May, only slightly less negative than April's record 97% collapse, as car dealerships remained shuttered by the government's coronavirus lockdown, industry data showed on Thursday.

General Motors will "work very closely" with Chinese electric vehicle battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) as it ramps up electric production in the world's biggest auto market, a senior executive said.