AP-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-GLOBAL

Virus deaths top 600,000 and Hong Kong warns of resurgence

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The number of people around the world who have died as a result of the coronavirus has passed the 600,000 mark as countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India struggle to contain infections. Hong Kong also warned of a resurgence in the virus as it issued tougher new rules on the wearing of face masks. While the U.S. leads global infections, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with more than 350,000 cases, or around half of all those confirmed on the continent. India, which has now confirmed more than a million infections, on Sunday reported a 24-hour record surge of 38,902 new cases.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA

Asia Today: Masks mandatory as cases rise in Australia state

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — After a one-day respite, COVID-19 cases in the Australian state of Victoria have risen again, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby shire of Mitchell. Health officials on Sunday recorded 363 new cases in the past 24 hours. Two men and a woman in their 90s died, taking the national death toll from COVID-19 to 122. By Wednesday, masks or face coverings will be mandatory for people who leave their homes for exercise or to purchase essential goods. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews says those who fail to wear a mask will be fined $140. A record 24-hour surge of 38,902 new cases has taken India’s coronavirus total to 1,077,618. China reported another 13 cases in the northwestern city of Urumqi,

BRITAIN-RUSSIA

Russian ambassador rejects virus vaccine hacking claims

LONDON (AP) — Russia’s ambassador to Britain has rejected allegations that his country’s intelligence services tried to steal information about a coronavirus vaccine. Andrei Kelin said in a BBC interview broadcast Sunday that there was “no sense” in the allegations made last week by the United States, Britain and Canada. Kelin also said his country had no interest in interfering in British politics. Intelligence agencies in the U.S., Britain and Canada on Thursday accused the hacking group APT29, known as Cozy Bear, of attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in COVID-19 vaccine development. Britain Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said that “Russian actors” had tried to interfere in last year’s general election.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-TEXAS GOP CONVENTION

US appeals court overrules Texas GOP’s in-person convention

A federal appeals court has overruled a judge’s decision that allowed the Texas Republican Party to hold an in-person convention in Houston, marking a win for the the nation’s fourth-largest city in an ongoing battle with the state GOP. In an order issued Saturday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed Friday’s ruling that would have permitted the Republican Party of Texas to host an in-person convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Judge Lynn Hughes had ruled that the city of Houston violated the GOP’s constitutional rights by canceling the event. The in-person convention was initially set to run from Thursday to Saturday. James Dickey, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, had said the party was still on-track to try a virtual gathering this weekend.

AP-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST

The Latest: Hong Kong tightens anti-coronavirus measures

Hong Kong is tightening anti-coronavirus measures following a recent surge in cases. The wearing of masks will be mandatory in all public places and nonessential civil servants will again work from home. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam introduced the measures on Sunday, saying the situation in the Asian financial hub is “really critical” and that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control. Travelers flying to Hong Kong from areas where the risk of infection is considered particularly severe will have to show a negative coronavirus test before boarding their flight, undergo another test upon arrival and undergo a 14-day quarantine in a hotel. Previously, those arriving could quarantine themselves at home.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-PORTLAND

Fires set, fences moved: Police call Portland protest a riot

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police say protesters broke into a building, set it on fire and started dumpster fires late Saturday in Oregon’s largest city. Portland police declared the protest a riot and were working to clear the downtown area. Tear gas had been deployed. The fire at the Portland Police Association building was put out a short time later. Demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality have happened daily in Portland since Minneapolis police killed George Floyd on May 25. President Donald Trump has decried the disorder, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as “lawless anarchists.”

AP-ML-IRAN

UN agency: US-sought tanker ‘hijacked’ off UAE now in Iran

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A United Nations agency is acknowledging that a U.S.-sought oil tanker “hijacked” off the coast of the United Arab Emirates after allegedly smuggling Iranian crude oil is back in Iranian waters. The International Labor Organization said that the tanker was hijacked July 5, citing its captain. That mirrors earlier reporting by The Associated Press. The ILO earlier filed a report saying the vessel and its sailors had been abandoned by its owners without pay since March off the eastern coast of the UAE. Iranian state media and officials have not acknowledged the hijacking and arrival of the tanker to Iran.

EUROPE-SUMMIT

EU leaders meet for 3rd day on budget, coronavirus fund

BRUSSELS (AP) — Marathon European Union talks to agree an unprecedented 1.85 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund are entering a third day Sunday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel warning that the 27 leaders could still end without a deal. The bitter negotiations, which are taking place amid the unprecedented crisis of the coronavirus pandemic, have underscored the deep fissures within the 27-nation bloc with the traditional Franco-German alliance struggling to get its way. Merkel was still uncertain early Sunday whether the leaders could bridge the gaps. She says, “Whether there will be a solution, I still can’t say.”

AP-BBA-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BLUE-JAYS

No Canada: Blue Jays barred from playing games in Toronto

TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays won’t play their home games in Toronto this year because Canada’s government doesn’t think it’s safe for players to travel back and forth from the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic. Canada has flattened the curve of virus infections, while the U.S. is one of the world’s hardest-hit countries. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said Saturday the federal government had denied the Blue Jays’ request to play at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays’ spring training facility is in Florida, which is a virus hotspot. The team has been examining the possibility of playing in Buffalo, New York.

AP-ML-SYRIA-ELECTIONS

Syrians vote for new parliament amid measures against virus

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrians are heading to polling stations in government-held parts of the war-torn country to elect a new parliament amid strict health measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Sunday’s vote is the third to take place in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011. It has killed more than 400,000, displaced half the country’s population and sent more than five million as refugees mostly into neighboring countries. Members of President Bashar Assad’s ruling Baath party will control the majority seats of the 250-member legislature. As in previous votes in Syria, the vote will produce a rubber-stamp body loyal to the president.

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