World News Briefs -- June 12, 2020

People wearing face masks queue to enter a reopened Primark store as Madrid eases lockdown restrictions following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Madrid, Spain, June 11, 2020. REUTERS/Susana Vera/

Reuters: Risk of new lockdowns rises with fear of second COVID-19 wave

LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Fears of a second wave of COVID-19 infections shut six major food markets in Beijing on Friday, while India, which opened up this week, recorded a record daily increase and half a dozen U.S. states said their hospital beds were filling up fast.

Health officials worldwide have expressed concerns in recent days that some countries grappling with the devastating economic impact of lockdowns may lift restrictions too swiftly, and that the coronavirus could spread during mass anti-racism protests.

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MIDDLE EAST

Missiles used to attack Saudi Arabia of 'Iranian origin': UN.

US vows to reduce Iraq troop presence in first strategic talks in over a decade.

Calls grow for Iranians to wear masks to stop virus.

Lebanon protests escalate as currency dives. Lebanese pound plummets to record low, sparks mass protests.

Oman mulls asking for financial aid from Gulf neighbours.

UAE warns annexation would upend any normalisation with Israel.

Jordan charges former MP with 'insulting the king, queen'.

ASIA

Deadly blast hits Kabul mosque during Friday prayers.

Firing at Nepal-India border leaves one dead amid strained ties.

India's Covid-19 caseload ranks fourth in the world as infections near 300,000. Coronavirus: Overwhelmed India hospitals turn Covid patients away.

Hong Kongers sing protest anthem one year after major clashes.

Beijing sends warplane to buzz Taiwan after missile test.

China touts military training near tense Indian border.

China and Philippines pledge mutual support after Rodrigo Duterte’s U-turn on scrapping US alliance.

New virus cases raise fears in Chinese capital, markets closed.

New Zealand will ease border restrictions after James Cameron's Avatar film-crew were given special permission to enter the country.

AFRICA

Global report: WHO warns of accelerating Covid-19 infections in Africa.

Conflict, division blight virus response in Libya.

UN expresses 'horror' over reports of Libya mass graves.

Niger: Video shows Army killing wounded men.

Burundi court rules president-elect to take power after Nkurunziza’s death. Nkurunziza death: Burundi court rules to end power vacuum.

Joy, tears in Darfur as ICC arrests war crimes suspect.

Gambian man charged in US with torture of coup plotters.

Death toll from Tunisia migrant shipwreck rises to 54.

EUROPE

Putin makes first public appearance in weeks of lockdown in Russia.

Russia’s coronavirus cases just passed 500,000 — but it’s easing lockdown fast.

Brexit: full controls on goods entering UK will not apply until July 2021.

UK economy shrank more than 20% in April amid Covid-19 lockdown.

'Shameful' to threaten Churchill statue, says UK PM Johnson.

Coronavirus: Italy prosecutors quiz PM Conte on crisis.

French police dump handcuffs in protest to rebuff critics.

AMERICAS

George Floyd: Trump told to back off Seattle's Chaz police-free zone. Seattle mayor says illegal for Trump to send military to clear protesters.

Scoop: John Bolton to argue Trump misconduct.

Federal debt tops $26 trillion for first time; Jumps $2 trillion in just 63 days.

Republicans release newly declassified intelligence document on FBI source Steele.

Trump campaign asks supporters to sign coronavirus waiver ahead of rally.

Mexico president clashes with governors on reopening.

Forecasters watching tropical wave disturbance in Caribbean.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Taliban, US spar over al-Qaeda presence in Afghanistan.

'Cyber jihadi' sentenced to 5 years in Germany.

Terrorists aren’t staying in jail as long as you might think.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Zoom admits cutting off activists' accounts in obedience to China.

Twitter removes state-linked accounts used by China, Russia and Turkey.

Coronavirus: wheels come off China’s mask-making gravy train, as low-end manufacturers count their losses.