- India's coronavirus cases have surged another 32,695, taking the nation closer to one million and forcing a new lockdown in the popular western beach state of Goa two weeks after it was reopened to tourists.
- Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro is again touting the supposed benefits of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID:19, as he tests positive for the virus again.
- More than 13.5 million people around the world have been diagnosed with COVID:19, while more than 7.5 million have recovered and more than 582,000 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Thursday, July 16
14:37 GMT - Portuguese officers raid clinics claiming 'ozone therapy' cures COVID-19
Portuguese police detained five people after raiding health clinics allegedly exploiting the coronavirus pandemic by claiming "ozone therapy" prevents or cures the disease.
In a statement, Portugal's criminal investigation police agency, the PJ, said the suspects allegedly took advantage of the "fragility and vulnerability of people afraid of the virus or even infected".
The clinics - not named by the PJ - may have contributed to the spread of the disease, the police said, adding they also conducted various tests, namely to detect the coronavirus, without holding a license or meeting the required standards.
14:05 GMT - Republicans to limit national convention attendance in Florida
Republicans will significantly limit the number of attendees at the party's national convention in Jacksonville, Florida, in August, as coronavirus cases continue to spike sharply across the state.
Only the approximately 2,500 regular delegates will be permitted to attend the first three nights of the four-night event, according to a Republican source with knowledge of the plans.
On the final evening, when President Donald Trump is scheduled to formally accept the Republican presidential nomination and address the convention, delegates will be allowed to bring one guest, and alternate delegates will also be invited, bringing the crowd to around 6,000 to 7,000 people.
The bulk of the convention had already been moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, last month after the state's governor refused to permit a full-capacity crowd.
Since then, however, Florida has seen an explosion of coronavirus cases. The state has limited indoor gatherings to 50 percent of a venue's capacity.
13:53 GMT - UK, US, Canada accuse Russia of hacking virus vaccine trials
Britain, the United States and Canada accused Russia of trying to steal information from researchers seeking a COVID-19 vaccine.
The three nations alleged that hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear and said to be part of the Russian intelligence service, is attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in coronavirus vaccine development.
"It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic,'' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.
"While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health.''
TASS cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying Russia had nothing to do with any alleged hacker attacks on pharmaceutical companies and research institutes in Britain.
RIA cited Peskov as saying the Kremlin rejected London's allegations, which he said were not backed by proper evidence.
12:35 GMT - France imposes indoor public mask-wearing
France will make the wearing of face masks compulsory in indoor public spaces from next week, the government has said, as officials noted signs of an uptick in the coronavirus outbreak.
Already obligatory gear on collective transport, masks will also become mandatory in shops and other indoor places frequented by the public, Prime Minister Jean Castex said in the Senate.
"The wearing of a mask, along with barrier measures (such as social distancing and regular hand-washing) is an effective method of prevention and protection," he said.
Already obligatory gear on collective transport, masks will also become mandatory in shops and other indoor places frequented by the public, Prime Minister Jean Castex said in the Senate.
"The wearing of a mask, along with barrier measures (such as social distancing and regular hand-washing) is an effective method of prevention and protection," he said.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gotten a lukewarm reception from his main coalition partner and the head of the central bank to a plan to grant money to all Israelis to revive the economy during the coronavirus crisis.
Netanyahu announced the 6 billion shekel ($1.75bn) package amid public anger and protests over his handling of the pandemic
Under the plan, which requires cabinet approval, individuals and households without children will receive one-time payments of just 750 shekels ($218), while families will receive roughly $600 to $900, depending on the number of children they have.
But the Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, of the centrist Blue and White party that has partnered with Netanyahu's Likud in the government, said the money should instead be targeted at the poorest citizens.
Read more here.
12:05 GMT - Peru president reshuffles cabinet as COVID-19 takes its toll
Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra has reshuffled his cabinet as the country desperately tries to get on top of its worsening coronavirus crisis.
The number of deaths is rapidly rising, and it is hitting disadvantaged Peruvians the hardest.
11:45 GMT - Africa CDC wants local vaccine manufacturing
As the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic crashes across Africa, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the intellectual property from any effective vaccine should be made available for local manufacturing and swifter distribution.
John Nkengasong also told reporters that Africa's 1.3 billion people have "all kinds of differences in genetic makeup, so we want to be sure that we are participating fully" in vaccine trials.
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