World News Briefs -- June 19, 2020

Al Jazeera: Coronavirus pandemic accelerating, warns WHO head: Live

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the world is entering a ''new and dangerous phase'.

* The global coronavirus pandemic is accelerating, with Thursday's 150,000 new cases the highest in a single day, World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
* The United Kingdom's chief medical officers have agreed to lower the country's coronavirus alert level from four to three.
* New confirmed cases of coronavirus remain stable in Beijing as officials say situation is under control.
* German biopharmaceutical company CureVac has started a clinical trial for a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
* In Honduras, President Juan Orlando Hernandez became the latest world leader to be hospitalised after testing positive for the coronavirus.
* More than 454,000 people have died as a result of the new coronavirus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. At least 8.4 million people have been confirmed to have the coronavirus around the world and more than four million have recovered.

Here are the latest updates:

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MIDDLE EAST

Turkish air strikes kill civilian in northern Iraq: Official.

U.S. says new sanctions won't hurt Syrian people. Syrians disagree, and they're already hurting.

4 rockets hit Baghdad’s Green Zone in challenge to Iraqi PM.

New Iran rocket attacks won’t force US hand in troop drawdown, CENTCOM commander says.

UN nuclear watchdog presses Iran for access to suspect sites. UN nuclear watchdog passes resolution criticising Iran.

Report: Cash-strapped Lebanon hospitals may run of oxygen, anaesthetic next week.

Palestinians fear displacement from an annexed Jordan Valley.

ASIA

China returns 10 Indian soldiers captured during bloody border clash in Himalayas – reports.

Galwan Valley: India and China downplay reports of soldier release.

Indian forces kill eight rebels in Kashmir gunfights.

South Korea's unification minister resigns amid tensions with North. South Korea unification minister resigns over row with North.

China says Beijing coronavirus outbreak is under control after testing 360,000 people.

Anxiety in Beijing as officials battle new coronavirus outbreak.

In Rohingya refugee camps, coronavirus is under control – for now.

China charges two detained Canadians with spying, 18 months after arrest.

New Zealand police arrest alleged gunman after manhunt and fatal shooting of police officer.

AFRICA

Arab League plans urgent meeting on Libya.

Libya human rights abuses: UN considering a draft resolution.

Sudan says talks on Ethiopia's Nile dam did not produce deal.

Somalia: 4 civilians killed by roadside bomb in capital.

UN accuses multiple countries of quietly sending arms to DR Congo.

COVID-19 survivors in DR Congo speak of stigma.

South Africa lockdown 'no longer sustainable' despite surge in cases.

In midst of pandemic, E. Africa braces for another locust invasion.

EUROPE

EU leaders hold virtual summit on coronavirus recovery plan. Divided EU leaders face challenges on Covid-19 stimulus package.

Coronavirus was already in Italy by December, waste water study finds.

Belarus: Rival of President Lukashenko arrested ahead of election.

Belarus leader claims to have quashed foreign-backed revolt.

Vladimir Putin can’t play Donald Trump ‘like a fiddle’, Russia says.

Russia cuts interest rates to lowest level since fall of Soviet Union.

Remember Soviet WWII role, Putin urges world.

UK debt now larger than size of whole economy.

AMERICAS

Fauci confident in vaccine efforts, predicts no more US lockdowns.

US marks Juneteenth anniversary of slavery’s end as it grapples with race legacy.

Tulsa mayor declares civil emergency ahead of Trump rally, stragglers face arrest.

Trump warns protesters ahead of Tulsa rally.

Trump signals he will submit new paperwork on DACA after Supreme Court decision.

'Complete decoupling' from China remains an 'option,' says Trump.

Pompeo calls Bolton 'a traitor who damaged America' over his explosive new book.

Amy Klobuchar rules herself out as possible Biden running mate.

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor: China charges Canadians with spying.

U.S. blacklists Mexican shipping network for evading sanctions.

Brazil corruption: Police arrest ex-aide to Jair Bolsonaro's son Flávio.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda North Africa confirms chief is dead: SITE.

AQIM confirms leader’s death.

Former Al-Qaeda propagandist explains how terrorists are trying to divide the west.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

YouTube hit with discrimination suit by black video artists.

More than 100 Google Chrome extensions impacted by spy campaign, report says.

The US is hurtling toward another trade war – but this time it isn’t with China.