‘They attacked with iron rods’: India says three soldiers killed in border brawl with Chinese military

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Three soldiers have become the first casualties in 53 years to result from a clash between nuclear-armed neighbours China and India as troops clash with iron rods and stones at their disputed border.

COVID-19 cases surging in Alabama, South Carolina and Oklahoma – Reuters

Alabama’s new cases rose 97% to 5,115 for the week ended June 14, with 14% of COVID-19 tests coming back positive compared to 6% in the prior week, according to the analysis of data from The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer-run effort to track the outbreak.

New cases in South Carolina rose 86% to 4,509, while the positive test rate rose to about 14% from 9% over the same period, according to the analysis and state data.

When asked to comment on the increases, South Carolina and Alabama health officials said some residents were not following recommendations to maintain social distance, avoid large gatherings and wear a mask in public.

In Oklahoma, where President Donald Trump plans to hold an indoor campaign rally on Saturday, new cases rose 68% to 1,081 in the second week of June, while the positive test rate increased to 4%, from 2% the previous week.

Source: COVID-19 cases surging in Alabama, South Carolina and Oklahoma – Reuters

Coastal Bend COVID-19 cases increase with state – Texas

Memorial Day outings are partially to blame for a bump in the number of COVID-19 cases reported, said Dr. Chris Bird, associate professor of biology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi during his weekly joint Corpus Christi/Nueces County briefing June 12. He also attributed the increase to people returning to work and visiting restaurants and bars as the state continues to reopen businesses under Gov. Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas.

“One month of Open Texas, and it looked good,” Bird said. “One month and one week, and things are different. This week is one of the highest weeks (in Nueces County) since we began counting.”

“It’s important to realize we have control over this,” Bird said. “We changed our behaviors, and COVID-19 started back. Wearing a mask makes a difference. It’s important to wear a face covering whether you have symptoms or not. Stay at home if you can. Postpone social gatherings or have them online. And self-isolate when symptomatic.”

Source: Coastal Bend COVID-19 cases increase with state

‘Danger is real’: why viruses long thought extinct are re-emerging

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In 2016, a 12-year-old boy died and more than 70 people were hospitalised in north-eastern Siberia after an outbreak of a bacteria that scientists had long believed was dormant.The culprit: global warming.Scientists say the anthrax bacteria was released by the permafrost melting. Temperatures rose, and animals became ill. Then, people ate the meat of a sick reindeer, becoming infected themselves. As global warming thaws soils, releasing pathogens, the occurrence of such outbreaks could become…

Democrats oppose Pentagon policy nominee who called Obama a ‘terrorist leader’ – POLITICO

“Not only would Mr. Tata be the least-qualified individual ever confirmed for this position, but his long history of making Islamophobic remarks and of pushing dangerous and debunked conspiracy theories on Fox News make him completely unacceptable,” Gillibrand said. “Mr. Tata would further enable President Trump’s destabilizing tendencies and would represent a dangerous erosion of independence and accountability at the Pentagon.”

Source: Democrats oppose Pentagon policy nominee who called Obama a ‘terrorist leader’ – POLITICO

COVID-19 hot spots emerge in South, Southwest | CIDRAP – Arizona Governor ok with more people dying?

Governor Doug Ducey said late last week the rising case counts will not result in a second stay-at-home order. On Twitter, Ducey wrote that the surge in cases was expected.

“As our state gradually reopens & more people move about, we’re seeing increased transmission, which is to be expected. This is happening around the country. To be clear, however: our hospitals have capacity & anyone who might need health care due to #COVID19 has access to it,” he tweeted.

Source: COVID-19 hot spots emerge in South, Southwest | CIDRAP