World News Briefs -- June 16, 2020

Reuters: Steroid drug hailed as 'breakthrough' in COVID-19 as trial shows it saves lives

LONDON (Reuters) - A cheap and widely-used steroid called dexamethasone has become the first drug shown to be able to save lives among COVID-19 patients in what scientists said is a “major breakthrough” in the coronavirus pandemic.

Trial results announced on Tuesday showed dexamethasone, which is used to reduce inflammation in other diseases such as arthritis, reduced death rates by around a third among the most severely ill of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital.

The results suggest the drug should immediately become standard care in patients with severe cases of the pandemic disease, said the researchers who led the trials.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran says virus death toll tops 9,000.

Iran warns against UN nuclear watchdog resolution.

Russia hosts Zarif, promises to stand by Iran on nuclear deal.

Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen removed from United Nations child-killing blacklist.

Greek PM in Israel says Turkey a 'threat to regional peace'.

Israel's West Bank annexation plan condemned by UN experts.

Lebanon to probe pound-dollar rumours after protests.

Saudi faces perilous hajj call as virus spikes.

ASIA

2 Indian soldiers and 1 officer killed in clashes on Chinese border – New Delhi.

North Korea threatens to send soldiers into demilitarised zone.

North Korea destroys liaison office on border with South in 'terrific explosion'.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam urges opponents of China's national security law to stop 'smearing'.

Beijing reports more new Covid-19 cases as WHO warns of cause for 'concern'.

China’s economic recovery from coronavirus in doubt as Beijing outbreak forces businesses to ‘wait and see’.

South Korea COVID-19 clusters rise after rules relaxed.

New Zealand reports two new coronavirus cases, its first in 25 days.

Doctors Without Borders closes Kabul hospital after horrific attack.

AFRICA

Somalia, Somaliland talks touted as 'historic'.

HRW calls on Libya's Haftar to probe alleged war crimes by his men.

UN agencies to feed thousands of migrants stuck in Libya.

Tanzania's Magufuli dissolves parliament ahead of elections.

Mali ambush: Gunmen kill 24 in attack on convoy.

Botswana lifts lockdown on capital city Gaborone.

Amnesty calls for justice for protesters killed in DRC.

EUROPE

EU borders reopen: Many countries easing travel restrictions.

Enough applause: French health workers rally anew for post-coronavirus reforms.

French city of Dijon rocked by unrest blamed on Chechens seeking revenge. France reinforces police in Dijon to stop gang violence.

Moscow reopens museums and terraces as it rolls back coronavirus curbs.

Coronavirus: Hungary votes to end Viktor Orban emergency powers.

Press review: Prisoner swap with US being weighed and Czech-Russian spat explodes.

Trump says US cutting troops in Germany over NATO spending.

AMERICAS

Trump plans to announce police reform executive order Tuesday.

Trump: Former adviser Bolton faces charges if book released.

Surging US coronavirus cases raise fears of new lockdowns.

Poll: Americans are the unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years.

US retail sales in record rebound.

US to resume federal executions after 17 years.

Coronavirus: Peru economy sinks 40% in April amid lockdown.

Venezuela electoral board: Council rejected by opposition and US.

A convicted drug lord nicknamed 'La Barbie' linked a former Mexican president to drug cartels.

Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou accuses US of giving Canadian court ‘grossly misleading’ evidence summary in extradition case.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Taliban falsely claims al Qaeda doesn’t exist in Afghanistan.

Civilian deaths mount from US air strikes in Somalia.

Kurdish women volunteer to protect crops from ISIL.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Global foreign direct investments could halve in next two years.

EU launches antitrust investigation into Apple.

United: Passengers who refuse to wear masks won't be allowed to fly.

US and China regulators reopen some air routes, letting some carriers to fly again as they back off from aviation standoff.