Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Zimbabwe’s government summoned the Vatican’s representative to Harare following the growing criticism by Catholic bishops of the government’s human rights record.
- AMERICAS: Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura tore through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents in Louisiana and the island nation of Cuba, as well as causing floods in Haiti, with damage expected to increase through the week.
- ASIA: A prosecutor told the Christchurch High Court that Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who killed 51 people at two mosques in New Zealand last year, planned to burn down the mosques following the attack.
- EUROPE: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is set to arrive in Ukraine to discuss how to accelerate the fragile peace process in the country’s troubled east.
- MIDDLE EAST: Syria’s government blamed unspecified “terrorists” for the explosion of a main gas pipeline traversing the Middle East, as the United States said it suspected Islamic State militants of carrying out the sabotage.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Facebook agreed to pay more than 100 million euros in taxes, as well as a penalty, to the French government.
Top Story
- Japan: Worries grow over PM Abe’s health.
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a second trip to the hospital within days, sparking concerns over if he will continue as the Japanese Prime Minister.
- His second visit to hospital took place just as he surpassed the record for longest consecutive tenure as Japanese leader.
- PM Abe remains reticent about the hospital visits as he told reporters he would provide more information about his health at a later date.
- He also told reporters that his second hospital visit in a week was for “additional tests.”
- Abe had cut short his first term in office in 2007 in-part due to health problems linked to his ulcerative colitis.
- Reporting: WaPo, Reuters, AFP, DPA, Guardian
Africa
- Mali: The country’s new military junta reportedly wants a military-led transitional body to rule the country for three years, and reportedly also agreed to release ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. (AFP)
- Nigeria: At least two people died in a clash between the country’s security forces and members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra group, which is campaigning for the secession of a part of the country’s southeastern region previously known as Biafra. (Reuters)
- Zimbabwe: The government summoned the Vatican’s representative to Harare following the growing criticism by Catholic bishops of the government’s human rights record. (Guardian)
Americas
- Region: Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura tore through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents in Louisiana and the island nation of Cuba, as well as causing floods in Haiti, with damage expected to increase through the week. (Reuters)
- Canada: The Conservative Party chose military veteran and former cabinet minister Erin O’Toole as its new leader for the country’s next federal election. (WaPo)
- Colombia: The Supreme Court called upon former President Álvaro Uribe to testify in an investigation into three massacres that could prove if he had ties to violent paramilitary groups. (AP)
- United States: Three wildfires continued to blaze through California, causing nearly a quarter-million people to be placed under evacuation orders and warnings. (AP)
- Venezuela: Embattled President Nicolas Maduro said he was considering buying Iranian missiles, just days after Colombian President Ivan Duque accused him of doing so. (Bloomberg)
Asia
- New Zealand: A prosecutor told the Christchurch High Court that Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch last year, planned to burn down the mosques following the attack. (AP)
- Philippines: At least 11 soldiers and civilians died in the southern Jolo town in Sulu province after suspected Islamist militants set-off two bombs in the town. (AP)
- Thailand: The police issued summonses to five activists who spoke at an anti-government rally in front of army headquarters last month, accusing the activists of violating a coronavirus-related emergency decree prohibiting public gatherings. (AP)
Europe
- Region: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is set to arrive in Ukraine to discuss how to accelerate the fragile peace process in the country’s troubled east. (DPA)
- Region: EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan apologized “fully and unreservedly” for attending a golf event and dinner in Ireland with more than 80 people, despite Ireland’s strict coronavirus restrictions. (BBC)
- Austria: Police made one arrest over a string of anti-Semitic crimes in the city of Graz after the incidents sparked condemnation from President Alexander Van der Bellen. (AFP)
- Denmark: The head of the country’s foreign intelligence service, Lars Findsen, and two other senior intelligence officers, were suspended by the government. (AP)
Middle East
- Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted a compromise to end a budget dispute, thus preventing the government from collapsing and triggering another general election in the country. (Deutsche Welle)
- Saudi Arabia: Two rights groups reportedly filed a complaint to the UN over the “arbitrary” detention of philanthropist Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, who was detained during a crackdown on some members of the country’s royal family in 2018. (AFP)
- Syria: The government blamed unspecified “terrorists” for the explosion of a main gas pipeline traversing the Middle East, as the United States said it suspected Islamic State militants of carrying out the sabotage. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Social Media: Facebook agreed to pay more than 100 million euros in taxes, as well as a penalty, to the French government. (Reuters)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report.
- Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Laura
- Location: 175 miles E-SE of Cayo Largo
- Wind: 65 mph
- Movement: W-NW at 18 mph
- Map
- Tropical Storm Laura
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global
- Confirmed Cases as of 24AUG20: 23,454,467
- Total Recovered Cases as of 24AUG20: 15,154,569
- Deaths as of 24AUG20: 809,333
- Countries with Confirmed Cases: 188
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: DR Congo (11th Ebola outbreak figures from Equateur Province)
- Confirmed Cases as of 15AUG20: 84
- Probable Cases as of 15AUG20: 4
- Deaths as of 15AUG20: 36
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global
Tomorrow’s Outlook (25AUG20)
- Asia-Pacific: ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting to be held in Vietnam.
- Europe: Poland’s flight ban to 45 countries to expire.
- MENA: Deadline for Israel’s Knesset to pass a budget, budget delay or face early elections.
- United States: U.S. Republican National Convention. (Until 27AUG20)
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