NEWS.am daily digest: 06.07.2020

Armenian News - NEWS.am presents a daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 06.07.2020:

1. Armenia confirmed Monday 330 COVID-19 new cases, bringing the total number to 28,936.

According to the health ministry, the death toll has reached 491 - an increase by 7 in the past day - while 16,302 people have already recovered.

The total number of tests conducted so far is 123,815, and 1,133 of them were performed in the past one day.

Also, 11,984 people are currently being treated.

2. Over 230 scientists signed an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) saying that the latter has downplayed airborne transmission of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

The letter was signed by 239 scientists from 32 countries.

The scientists appeal to address the "overwhelming" research on the dangers of microdroplets - the very tiny respiratory particles that you exhale. These particles are tiny and light and can remain suspended in the air and then inhaled by someone else, the scientists said.

3. Bomb alerts were reported Monday at two Yerevan shopping centers - Megamall Armenia and Dalma Garden mall.

According to Gevorg Mnatsakanyan, head of the Yerevan firefighting and rescue operations, no bombs were found at Megamall Armenia shopping center.

In the meantime, as of 4:30 pm, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the police were still working at Yerevan’s Dalma Mall.

[Track the latest update on the situation at Armenian News - NEWS.am website.]

4. A criminal case has been filed in connection with the death of a Russian citizen, 20, found hanging in Armenia's Gyumri town on Saturday.

The young man was serving in the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri.

5. The second motion to arrest Mikael Minasyan, Armenia’s former Ambassador to the Holy See, was denied, said Amram Makinyan, one of Minasyan's attorneys.

"We will still have a chance to talk about the mentioned motion. I can only say [for now] is that it was more illegal and unfounded than the previous motion," Makinyan wrote on his Facebook.

6. Legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone has died aged 91 following complications from a fall, La Repubblica reported.

The maestro composed over 400 scores for cinema and TV.

In 2016 he won an Oscar for his soundtrack for Quentin Tarantino’s movie The Hateful Eight.

During his career, he got three Grammys, six BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, two European Film Awards, and ten David di Donatellows.

7. Rapper Kanye West took to his Twitter on the Independence Day to announce his intention to run for the US president in 2020.

"We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future," West tweeted adding: "I am running for president of the United States!"

However, problems have been predicted for the rapper as the musician has already missed the respective filing deadlines for independent presidential candidates in many states, USA Today reported.