World News Briefs -- June 9, 2020

SCMP: WHO warns of ‘worsening’ virus situation worldwide

* WHO chief said more than 100,000 cases reported on nine of the past 10 days
* University of Washington forecasts 145,000 US Covid-19 deaths by August

The World Health Organisation said that the coronavirus pandemic situation was worsening around the globe, as it warned against complacency.

The WHO said it had recorded its highest daily tally of new infections, with Covid-19 raging in the Americas.

And as mass protests for racial justice sweep across the United States and beyond, the United Nations’ health agency urged anyone demonstrating to do so safely.

Covid-19 has killed more than 403,000 people out of at least 7 million infected since the coronavirus was first detected in China last December.

After East Asia, Europe became the epicentre of the disease, but has now been overtaken by the Americas.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria hit by rare anti-regime protests sparked by economic crisis.

Rocket hits Baghdad airport in another attack on US forces.

Iran says it has found a CIA informant who helped the US assassinate Qassem Soleimani, and has sentenced him to death.

One in five Iranians may have had virus: health official.

U.S. sanctions imposed against Iranian shipping go into effect.

Palestinian PM submits 'counter-proposal' to Trump's Middle East peace plan.

UAE Mars mission: Hope project a 'real step forward for exploration'.

ASIA

North Korea cuts all official communication lines with South.

North Korea building up nuclear arsenal, researchers say.

Indian, Chinese armies disengage at multiple points in Ladakh, ending weeks-long standoff - report.

Chinese warplanes enter Taiwan Strait after US flyover.

China convicts Uighurs in sham trials at Xinjiang camps.

China cautions students about 'racist incidents' during coronavirus pandemic if they return to Australia.

Hong Kong can't tolerate more ‘chaos’, says Lam on protest movement anniversary.

New Zealand rejects US-style armed police squads.

AFRICA

Burundi president dies of 'cardiac arrest' at 55.

Libyan TV airs video showing alleged UAE military involvement.

Haftar forces slow unity govt advance on strategic Libya city.

Erdogan says Turkey, US reached agreements on Libya.

Tanzania’s main opposition leader attacked months ahead of election.

Egypt blames Ethiopia for stalling Nile dam talks.

In hardline Equatorial Guinea, confinement starts to chafe.

Nigeria's spike in deaths linked to Covid-19.

EUROPE

US, Russia to begin nuclear arms talks this month.

Trump's 'dangerous' plan to withdraw troops from Germany will play into Putin's hands, warn UK Conservatives.

Spain says masks will be compulsory where social distancing is impossible until a coronavirus cure or vaccine is found.

London mayor says statues of imperialist figures could be removed. Sadiq Khan orders review of all London statues for slavery links.

Russian oil spill leads to charges against plant director.

Prince Andrew 'falsely portraying himself as willing', US prosecutor claims.

Notre-Dame fire: Work starts to remove melted scaffolding.

AMERICAS

Hard-hit NYC begins its Covid-19 comeback as infection rate plummets.

8 in 10 worry mass protests could spread coronavirus: US poll.

Trump: There won't be any defunding of police.

Court orders dismissal of challenges to Trump travel ban.

New bill introduced that would stop a president from using nuclear bombs on a hurricane.

Salvadorean war crimes suspect Montano on trial in Spain.

Judge orders Bolsonaro to resume publishing Brazil Covid-19 data.

Cuba declares COVID-19 ‘under control’.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

French troops killed top al Qaeda leader in Mali, Pentagon confirms.

US questions Iraqi government’s readiness to combat purported Daesh resurgence.

Make no mistake, the Taliban are still in bed with Al-Qaeda.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Pandemic drives broadest economic collapse in 150 years: World Bank.

Honda's global operations hit by cyber-attack.

Oil prices stumble as Saudis set end date for new OPEC+ cuts.