*) UAE behind oil blockade as Libya halts oil exports again

Libya’s National Oil Corp has said that the United Arab Emirates has instructed its illegal militias to disrupt oil output and exports.

The NOC said Libya’s oil exports had resumed on July 10 but Haftar’s militias reimposed a blockade on exports on July 11 and stepped back from talks.

The allegations follow a statement by warlord Khalifa Haftar, saying output would continue to be interrupted if certain conditions were not met.

*) Millions of children affected by school closures

The British-based charity Save the Children has warned that the measures to curb Covid-19 have caused an "unprecedented education emergency."

It said some 10 million children who were shut out of schools face the risk of never going back to class.

The charity added that some 1.6 billion young people, or around 90 percent of the world's entire student population, couldn’t go to school and university in April.

*) Over 600,000 Hong Kongers cast 'protest' vote against new security laws

Hundreds of thousands of people have voted in an unofficial primary election in Hong Kong.

The polls will decide the strongest anti-Beijing candidates to contest Legislative Council elections in September.

Many people see the level of participation as a guide to popular opinion in the city of 7.5 million people.

*) Poland's Duda ahead by tiny margin in presidential run-off

Poland’s incumbent Andrzej Duda is leading by a small margin against his rival Rafal Trzaskowski in the presidential election, an exit poll showed.

Duda, a right-wing populist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, stands at 50.4 percent in the poll by Ipsos published after Sunday’s polls.

But the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points. Official results are expected today.

And finally

*) West Indies beat England as international cricket returns

International cricket has returned from the Covid-19 lockdown with West Indies beating England by four wickets in the first Test at Southampton.

Jermaine Blackwood made a superb 95, giving West Indies 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The second and third tests will be played in Manchester without fans present in the stadium due to Covid-19 restrictions.

*) US Covid-19 cases rise by record 60,565 in single day

The United States has reported at least 60,565 new Covid-19 cases, a new daily record increase.

For the third day in a row, US deaths climbed by more than 800, the highest level seen since early June.
The pandemic has infected more than 12 million people across the world and killed over 557,000.
*) US sanctions Chinese officials over Uighur rights
The US has imposed sanctions on Chinese officials in the first major course of action to stop abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the sanctions will target several senior government officials.
The move is likely to further add to tensions between Washington and Beijing.
*) Singaporeans go to polls amid virus pandemic
Singaporeans wearing masks and gloves are set to cast their ballots for a general election under the cloud of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Voters could be seen standing far apart due to virus fears at polling stations, which resulted in long queues.

Covid-19 has pushed Singapore’s economy towards its worst-ever recession, making saving jobs the focus of the election.

*) North Korean leader’s sister says Kim-Trump summit unlikely
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said she doesn’t expect her brother to meet US President Donald Trump this year.
Kim Yo-jong said there’s no reason for the North to give Trump access to high-profile meetings when it’s not being substantially rewarded in return.
She is seen as her brother’s closest confidant and has been recently confirmed his top official for inter-Korean affairs.
And finally

*) Johnny Depp denies beating actor Amber Heard

Johnny Depp has denied all claims of domestic violence brought forth by actor Amber Heard, his ex-wife.

The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star is suing British tabloid The Sun for a 2018 article that claimed he was a “wife-beater”.

Both Depp and Heard were in court as lawyers for The Sun questioned him about allegations of violence during the couple’s time together.

Russia's bid to reduce cross-border aid to Syria fails at UN
and Facebook busts networks tied to Bolsonaro staff and a Trump ally

*) Russia's bid to reduce cross-border aid to Syria fails at UN

Moscow's attempt to halve humanitarian aid deliveries from Turkey to Syria was voted down at the UN Security Council.

In the absence of a veto, Russia needed nine votes to get its resolution passed but received only four votes. Seven countries voted against it and four abstained.

Russia and China earlier vetoed a resolution to extend cross-border aid into Syria from Turkey.

*) Foreign interference in Libya reaching 'unprecedented levels'
UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned the conflict in Libya has entered a new phase "with foreign interference reaching unprecedented levels".

Guterres added the United Nations would continue working with the parties to reach a ceasefire and resume a political process.

The oil-producing country descended into chaos after the NATO-backed overthrow of leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

*) Virus cases jump in worst-hit trio US, Brazil and India

The US, Brazil and India account for more than 60 percent of new cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The three worst-affected countries reported 59,000, 45,000 and 25,000 new cases of Covid-19, respectively, in the last 24 hours.

Some 12.1 million people have contracted Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, with more than 4.5 million currently infected.

*) Heavy rain devastate Japan

Japanese emergency services and troops are scrambling to reach thousands of homes cut off by catastrophic flooding and landslides.

Torrential rains in the country have claimed dozens of lives and caused widespread damage during the past week.

Japan is in the middle of its annual rain season which often results in damaging floods and landslides.
And finally

*) Facebook busts networks tied to Bolsonaro staff, Trump ally

Facebook has suspended fake accounts linked to Trump ally Roger Stone, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro and networks in Canada, Ecuador and Ukraine.

The accounts had violated Facebook rules against divisive political messages online and deceptive activity.

There was no evidence the politicians themselves had operated the accounts.

Russia and China veto UN extension of cross-border aid into Syria's northwest and Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr marks 80th birthday at online gig

*) Russia and China veto extension of cross-border aid into Syria's northwest

Russia and China cast vetoes to block the UN Security Council from extending its approval of aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey for a year.

Russia, a close ally of the Syrian regime, circulated a draft resolution to authorise the delivery of aid through a single crossing point from Turkey for six months.

Tuesday’s vote was the 15th time that Russia has used its veto since the start of the conflict in Syria in 2011, and the ninth for China.

*) Demonstrators storm Serbian parliament in protest over weekend lockdown

A group of opposition supporters stormed the Serbian parliament building in Belgrade to protest the government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said stricter measures, including a lockdown of Belgrade, were needed to counter the rise in Covid-19 cases.

Opponents blame the increase on the government and say people should not have to pay the price for another lockdown.

*) US formally notifies UN on WHO withdrawal by July 2021

The Trump administration has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

The pullout will take effect on July 6, 2021, meaning it could be rescinded under a new administration or if circumstances change.

President Donald Trump had earlier vowed to terminate US participation in the WHO, blaming it for its response to the coronavirus pandemic and accusing it of bowing to Chinese influence.

*) China opens Hong Kong headquarters for its secret police

China has opened a new office for its intelligence agents to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time under a tough new security law.

The new base is located in a converted hotel overlooking the city's Victoria Park, a location that has hosted anti-Beijing protests for years.

Beijing imposed a new security law on Hong Kong last week targeting acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion.

And finally …

*) Beatles drummer Ringo Starr marks 80th birthday

Ringo Starr recently held an online 80th birthday bash with a little help from his celebrity friends in aid of causes, including Black Lives Matter.

Fans hoping for a virtual reunion between Starr and fellow surviving Beatle Paul McCartney were left a little disappointed.

Normally, Starr marks each passing year with live performances that include fellow musicians and fans, but the pandemic forced a rethink this time.

Britain announces sanctions against human rights offenders, and Native American groups ask the NFL to force Redskins to change name

*) UK unveils sanctions against human rights abusers

Britain has announced economic sanctions against human rights offenders from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and North Korea.

The 49 individuals and organisations have been sanctioned under a new regime targeting people who violate human rights.

After Brexit, the UK implemented its own version of the US Magnitsky Act, allowing it to ban or seize assets of individuals guilty of rights abuses.

*) Social media platforms respond to Hong Kong security law

Social media giants including Facebook, WhatsApp, Google and Twitter have said they will block Hong Kong's request for user data.

The move comes as the companies study the ramifications of China’s national security law enacted in the former British colony last week.

TikTok also said it is stopping its popular video snippet-sharing app from working in Hong Kong due to the "recent events."

*)Australia's Victoria state reimposes coronavirus curbs

Australia's second-most populous state of Victoria is reimposing stay-at-home restrictions in Melbourne and another regional area.

The restrictions on more than 5 million people come after a record daily rise in coronavirus infections.

Australia has been among the world's most successful countries in containing its outbreak, having registered 8,755 cases and 106 deaths.

*) Prominent Iraqi analyst shot dead in Baghdad

Gunmen in Baghdad shot dead a well-known former government adviser and political analyst near his home.

Hisham al Hashemi appeared regularly on Iraqi TV and his expertise was sought out by government officials, journalists and researchers.

Government officials described the murder as a targeted killing but did not point the finger at any particular group.

And finally…

*) Native American groups ask the NFL to force Redskins name change

Several Native American leaders and organisations have asked the NFL to force Washington Redskins owner to change the team name immediately.

A letter sent to the NFL commissioner had asked the league to cease the use of Native American names, imagery and logos.

The letter put specific importance to Washington as its team name is called a “dictionary-defined racial slur” by Native American advocates and experts.

With nearly 700,000 coronavirus cases, India is the third worst-hit country, and first-ever online Paris Fashion Week clicks off

*) With nearly 700,000 coronavirus cases, India is third worst-hit country

India takes over Russia with the world's third-highest number of Covid-19 cases, at nearly 700,000, as the outbreak shows no sign of slowing.

Health ministry data showed more than 23,000 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, down slightly from Sunday's record increase of almost 25,000.

There have been almost 20,000 deaths in India since the first case was confirmed in January.


*) Governing HDZ party wins parliamentary vote with 68 seats

Croatia's governing party, the Croatian Democratic Union, or HDZ, has come out on top in parliamentary elections.

Official results gave the HDZ 68 seats in the 151-seat parliament. That's after around 60 percent of votes were counted.

But, it puts the party short of a majority government, and another ruling coalition will have to be formed. The Social Democratic Party and its allies secured 43 seats.

*) Libya’s High Council of State condemns attack on air base

Libya's UN-recognised government has condemned air raids against a strategic air base in the country's west.

Defence Minister Salah Namrush said the blitz was carried out by a "foreign air force" and Tripoli would respond "in the right place and at the right time."

The Libyan army had captured the base, located 125 kilometres from the capital, Tripoli, from warlord Khalifa Haftar's illegal militia in May.

*) With 180 refugees, Ocean Viking told to dock at Italian port

Italy will allow a rescue ship to dock at one of its ports, a week after the vessel found itself stranded in waters south of Sicily.

All 180 migrants, including children and a pregnant woman, aboard the Ocean Viking were rescued in June and have been tested for Covid-19.

They'll be placed under quarantine upon their arrival at a Sicilian port.

And finally…

*) First-ever online Paris fashion week clicks off

The first-ever online Paris Fashion Week clicks off with the world of glitzy runway shows thrown into an existential crisis by the coronavirus.

Paris haute couture and men's fashion weeks have been rolled into one, with labels making films to showcase their clothes.

The pandemic prompted an unprecedented bout of soul searching within the industry and led usually conflict-averse designers to call for a revolution that puts a brake on its frantic pace.

*)US Congress passes bill to sanction China over Hong Kong

The US Congress has approved a bill chiding China over its crackdown in Hong Kong as the city’s residents hold protests against a “national security” law.

Once the bill is enacted, the US will sanction groups that undermine Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous status, including police for crackdowns on protesters.

China's cabinet has already appointed Zheng Yanxiong [Chan Yen Sion] as the director of the mainland's new national security agency in Hong Kong.

*)US Covid-19 numbers reach record highs, employment improves

The US has recorded more than 53,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, setting a new record for the third day in a row.

Florida is a key focus for public health experts who are worried about a surge in southern and western US states.

US unemployment is at one of its worst points since the Great Depression despite dropping to 11.1 percent in June from 13.3 percent in May.

*)UK court sides with Guaido in Venezuela gold dispute

A British judge has refused to give Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro control of nearly $2 billion in gold sitting in a Bank of England vault.

Britain does not recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s president, instead acknowledging opposition politician Juan Guaido as the cash-strapped country’s leader.

Maduro has demanded the gold to help his financially troubled nation fight the coronavirus pandemic.

*)Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime pal of Epstein, facing jail for sex crimes

Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested.

She faces charges of luring underage girls so that Epstein, who died in jail last year, could sexually abuse them.

The arrest is the latest twist in the mystery of Epstein, who went from teaching high school maths to a high-flying lifestyle with powerful connections.

And finally…

*)Social media to face EU broadcasting rules on harmful content

Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other social media will be subject to EU broadcasting rules on hate speech and harmful content.

The non-binding guidelines by the EU Commission apply to social platforms where audiovisual content is seen as an essential but not principal part of their business.

EU countries, which have until September 19 to implement the rules, will have the final say on the list of companies.