World News Briefs -- July 10, 2020

Daily Mail: Covid-19 pandemic is 'getting worse' as number of cases has DOUBLED to nearly 12million in just six weeks, warns World Health Organization boss

* Dr Tedros, director general of the UN agency, said the virus is not under control
* More than 11.8million cases of coronavirus have now been reported to the WHO
* Pandemic is currently being driven by growing outbreaks in the US and Brazil

The World Health Organization has warned the coronavirus pandemic has still not reached its peak – as lockdown measures are relaxed to make international travel easier.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the UN agency, said the virus is not under control 'in most of the world' and is 'getting worse'.

He revealed the total number of cases of coronavirus worldwide has doubled in the last six weeks, with almost 12million confirmed infections since the pandemic first began in China.

The pandemic - which has seen 550,000 people die worldwide - is now being driven by outbreaks in the US, Brazil and India.

There are now concerns that Africa - which was spared from the first six months of the crisis - is seeing rocketing numbers of cases. Infections there have risen by 24 per cent in a week to more than half a million, with almost half in South Africa.

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MIDDLE EAST

Russia, China veto approval of cross-border aid for Syria.

Coronavirus: Idlib's first Covid-19 case raises fears for Syria camps.

Iran explosions: Officials deny reports of fresh blast. Iran denies latest blast reports and accuses west of disinformation.

Tehran vows consequences for anyone involved in Natanz nuclear facility blast.

Iraqi MP dies of COVID-19 as cases jump 600%.

Israel records highest single-day virus tally.


UN warns 10 million face acute food shortages in Yemen.

Lebanon 'spiralling out of control': UN rights chief.

Turkish court allows Hagia Sophia museum to return as mosque. Erdogan reopens Hagia Sophia for Muslim worship, angering Christian leaders.

World reacts to Turkey reconverting Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

ASIA

Taliban says Afghan intelligence behind Russia rewards scandal.

North Korean leader's sister says another summit unlikely but a 'surprise thing may still happen'.

North Korea asks for 'sacrifices' as coronavirus concerns rise.

Seoul mayor Park Won-soon dies in apparent suicide amid sexual harassment claims. Death of Seoul mayor after harassment allegation shocks South Korea.

China rejects new US invite to join nuclear talks.

Chen Quanguo: Leader of Xinjiang crackdown under US scrutiny.

China vows to hit US with 'reciprocal measures' after Xinjiang sanctions.

Chinese embassy accuses Australia of violating international law after Hong Kong visa extensions announced.

Singaporeans vote in snap election under coronavirus cloud.

Philippines top broadcaster ABS-CBN denied new licence.

AFRICA

Libyan government gathers war crimes evidence against Haftar.

Divided Libya to restart oil production after six-month shutdown.

Mali protest: 'We don't want this regime anymore'.

DRC: 3 killed in protests against election chief nomination.

Burkina Faso queries Human Rights Watch report on army killings.

Two men arrested for murder of Ethiopian protest singer. Two arrested over killing of popular political singer in Ethiopia. Ethiopia says suspects confessed to killing popular singer.

Nigeria suspends anti-graft chief, attorney general's office says.

EUROPE

Serbia, Kosovo resume ‘very difficult’ talks on normalising ties. Serbia, Kosovo renew 'very difficult' talks led by Macron, Merkel.

Netherlands to take Russia to European court over MH17 downing.

Poland's presidential hopefuls make final push before runoff vote.

Greece protests: Violence as thousands march in Athens against protest law.

Raids on Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev's office draw large protests.

Employee in Angela Merkel's press office suspected of spying for Egypt.

Five young men from Germany, France convicted for Hamburg G20 riots.

AMERICAS

Two-thirds of American disapprove of Donald Trump's handling of coronavirus crisis and approval plunges to an all-time low of 33 per cent in new poll.

Fauci says he hasn’t briefed Trump in two months as Covid-19 cases rise.

Trump heads to Florida amid state's dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases.

Trump tells Treasury to review universities' tax exempt status.

US Supreme Court rules half of Oklahoma is Native American land.

'Living hell': Brazil capital a COVID-19 hotspot after reopening.

Bolivia's interim president, Venezuelan socialist party leader test positive for COVID-19.

Latin America: UN urges collaboration to prevent economic crisis.

Argentinians protest in Buenos Aires against government decisions.

Ghislaine Maxwell requests bail release due to 'unprecedented' Covid-19 risks.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Mass grave uncovered in former ISIS territory of northern Iraq.

Regional armies in Africa must 'share intelligence' to defeat Boko Haram: ICG.

Malaysian police investigate Australian journalists over Al Jazeera documentary.

US court orders Iran to pay $879 mn over 1996 Saudi attack.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

IEA raises 2020 oil demand forecast but warns COVID-19 clouds outlook.

Exclusive: Apple supplier Foxconn to invest $1 billion in India, sources say.

Trump indicates phase two deal with China unlikely.