SHENZHEN, June 12 — A Covid outbreak linked to a bar in China's capital Beijing is 'ferocious', local government spokesman Xu Hejian said at a news conference today.

Some 166 cases have been linked so far to the outbreak at the Chaoyang Heaven Supermarket Bar, which emerged last week.

Authorities reported 33 new cases today as of 3 p.m. (0700 GMT). The capital has reported 1,997 local Covid cases since April 22. — Reuters

TEHRAN, June 11 — Iran and Venezuela on Saturday signed a 20-year cooperation plan, according to live coverage on Iranian state TV.

The plan includes cooperation in the fields of oil, petrochemicals, tourism, and culture.

The signing ceremony was held in North Tehran’s Saadabad Palace in the presence of visiting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi. —Reuters

MOSCOW, June 11 — Russia’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that Moscow’s response to a build-up of NATO forces in Poland will be proportionate, Interfax news agency reported citing a Russian diplomat.

“A response, as always, will be proportionate and appropriate, intended to neutralise potential threats to the security of the Russian Federation,” Interfax quoted Oleg Tyapkin, the head of a foreign ministry department in charge of Russian relations with Europe. — Reuters