World News Briefs -- May 20, 2020

ABC News (Australia): Cyclone Amphan slams into India and Bangladesh, evacuations complicated by coronavirus

A powerful cyclone slammed into the coastlines of India and Bangladesh, where millions of people have fled to shelters in a frantic evacuation made all the more challenging by the coronavirus pandemic.

Cyclone Amphan had begun moving inland, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin at 3:00pm (local time), after brewing for days in the Bay of Bengal to become one of the strongest storms to hit the region in a decade.

Officials in India's Odisha and West Bengal states said powerful winds had torn off roofs, uprooted trees and bent electricity poles, hitting power supplies in some areas.

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MIDDLE EAST

US hits top Iranian officials for human rights abuses.

Iran says 'curbing virus' even with over 2,000 new cases.

France, UN envoy warn Israel against partial annexation of West Bank.

Mahmoud Abbas ends Palestinian security deal with U.S., Israel.

Pompeo says Palestinians should keep security cooperation.

Benjamin Netanyahu ordered to appear at opening of criminal trial.

Assad's cousin says Syrian government is seizing his assets.

ASIA

Millions batten down as 'super cyclone' Amphan hits Bangladesh, India.

Watchdog: Taliban violence high despite deal with US.

Afghan Taliban leader says committed to deal with the US.

Beijing warns of action against Washington after Pompeo congratulates Taiwan’s Tsai.

Taiwan’s president rejects ‘one country, two systems’ deal with China.

China, Taiwan tensions escalate after Tsai Ing-wen speech.

Virus looms over China’s national legislative session.

Indonesian police on alert for skirmishes over Idul-Fitri mosque prayers, food shortages.

Defecting from North Korea 'virtually impossible' amid COVID-19, report says.

AFRICA

U.N. chief warns pandemic threatens Africa. UN chief warns Covid-19 could cause poverty, hunger for millions in Africa.

Haftar's forces pull out of parts of Tripoli after losing strategic airbase.

South Sudan: Fresh intercommunal violence flares in Jonglei.

Niger: 12 soldiers killed in Boko Haram attack on military base.

OHCRC: Burundi's elections aren't 'credible and free'.

Moeketsi Majoro sworn in as Lesotho's new prime minister.

Algeria hands tough jail terms to three opposition activists.

Prosecutor seeks transfer of Rwanda's Kabuga to UN custody.

EUROPE

Europe should brace for second wave, says EU coronavirus chief .

Russia says many coronavirus patients died of other causes, putting its official COVID-19 death toll in doubt. Russia’s coronavirus cases top 300,000 but deaths suspiciously low: ‘We conceal nothing,’ Kremlin says.

Russia summits are on the cards for Xi Jinping in July.

Coronavirus: Spain tightens mask rules for all older than five.

UK pledges June 1 rollout of contact-tracing amid criticism.

Spain’s leader asks parliament for 2 more weeks of lockdown.

Riot police deployed as youths set cars ablaze in Paris suburbs.

AMERICAS

Senate panel approves subpoena in Hunter Biden probe.

Trump revives idea of in-person G7 meeting at Camp David.

Tensions flare over GOP's Obama probes.

Declassified Susan Rice email shows Comey suggested 'sensitive' info on Russia not be shared with Flynn.

Pompeo on IG firing: 'Frankly should have done it some time ago'.

Brazil sees record virus deaths as pandemic surges in Latin America.

Coronavirus: Brazil headed for catastrophe.

Mexico eases restrictions despite increase in COVID-19 deaths.

Venezuela files claim for the Bank of England to hand over $1.5bn of its gold.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Only man convicted over 9/11 says he is renouncing terrorism and Bin Laden.

Indian troops kill rebel commander in Kashmir’s main city.

UK introduces bolstered legislation for terrorism offences - here's what it means.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Coronavirus: WTO warns global trade on the brink as pandemic wreaks havoc on supply chains.

IEA: New renewable energy to decline for the first time in 20 years.

Brent oil price exceeds $36 per barrel for the first time since April 9.

Jet engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce to cut 9,000 jobs.