Wednesday,  July 1st, 2020

Massachusetts reports no coronavirus deaths for 1st time in months For the first time in months, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Tuesday reported zero new coronavirus deaths in the state. The first coronavirus death in Massachusetts was reported on March 20. Gov. Charlie Baker (R) reminded people in a press conference Tuesday to continue to wash their hands, wear face masks, and practice social distancing, especially during the 4th of July weekend. “We do not want to take one step forward and two steps back as we keep climbing out of this horrific pandemic,” he said. The news comes as other states, including Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, report spikes in coronavirus cases. There are 108,882 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases in Massachusetts, and 8,054 deaths. Source: The Boston Globe

EU to reopen borders to 14 countries, U.S. excluded The European Union announced Tuesday that it will open its external borders Wednesday after finalizing a list of 14 countries — including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Canada — whose residents will now be able to travel to the bloc for non-essential reasons amid the coronavirus pandemic. The United States, along with Russia, Brazil, and India, has been left off the list (with exceptions) for at least 14 days due to a rising number of infections, while China’s inclusion is “subject to confirmation of reciprocity.” The policy, which is based on country of residence rather than nationality, isn’t legally binding. Member states could theoretically allow travelers from non-approved countries, but the EU could retaliate by closing borders within the bloc, stymieing efforts to reopen the free trade and travel zone. Source:  The Associated Press

Fauci warns new U.S. coronavirus cases could rise to 100,000 per day Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned Congress on Tuesday that the number of new COVID-19 cases reported in the United States could rise to 100,000 a day. Fauci said it’s clear from the numbers that the U.S. is “going in the wrong direction” as many Americans flout social distancing and mask guidelines. If this situation doesn’t “turn around,” Fauci said he “would not be surprised” if the number of new coronavirus cases reported in the United States each day rises from around 40,000 to around 100,000. While Fauci wouldn’t make a specific prediction about what the final U.S. death toll from the coronavirus pandemic will be, he guaranteed it would be “very disturbing.” Source: MSNBC

German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer orders the “partial dissolution” of the country’s elite Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) special forces command over its suspected ties to the far-right. The KSK also has a “toxic leadership culture”, according to the Defence Minister. (BBC)

A vandalized statue of former Belgian King Leopold II of Belgium is removed from public display in the city of Ghent amid anti-racism protests. (ABC News)

A large explosion at a medical clinic in Tehran, Iran, kills at least 19 people, mostly women, according to Iranian authorities. A gas leak is suspected as being the cause of the blast. (BBC)

In a letter to President Felix Tshisekedi, King Philippe of Belgium addresses the atrocities in the Congo Free State under the rule of King Leopold II : “I would like to express my deepest regrets for the wounds of the past, the pain of today, which is rekindled by the discrimination all too present in our society.” (The Guardian)

 

A court in Iran sentences former journalist and activist Ruhollah Zam to death for fueling anti-government unrest in late 2017 on social media. He was convicted of being corrupt on Earth. (Reuters)

Facebook bans groups affiliated with the boogaloo movement, which was linked to a pair of attacks in California, US, that left two dead and three injured earlier this month and late last month. (AP via WEYI-TV)

 

China passes the controversial Hong Kong national security law. (The New York Times)

The political party Demosistō of social activist Joshua Wong is disbanded following the passing of the law. Wong urges the international community to keep “speaking up for Hong Kong people”. (Reuters)

The End