Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped two South Korean citizens off the coast of Ghana.
- AMERICAS: At least 14 people were killed after Hurricane Laura slammed into the southern U.S. states of Louisiana and Texas, authorities and local media reported.
- ASIA: Wuhan, China, the first city struck by the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen all its schools and kindergartens, local authorities announced.
- EUROPE: Thousands of Russians took to the streets in Khabarovsk to protest against President Vladimir Putin’s handling of a political crisis and the suspected poisoning of his most vocal critic.
- MIDDLE EAST: The United Arab Emirates has issued a decree canceling a law boycotting Israeli goods and allowing trade and financial agreements between the two countries, the state news agency WAM reported.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: North Korea broadcasted a set of mysterious numbers, presumed to be an encrypted message to its spies in the South, for the first time on YouTube.
Top Story
- Japan: Reactions from within Japan and worldwide continue in the aftermath of prime minister Shinzo Abe resigning.
- U.S. President Donald Trump said he considers Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a great friend, and is worried about his decision to step down for health reasons.
- Abe told reporters that it was “gut-wrenching” to leave because many of his goals remain unfinished.
- The Chinese government offered praise to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his ability to get China-Japan relations back on track and wished him a speedy recovery.
- Japan’s ruling party will choose Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s successor around Sept. 15, the Kyodo news agency, after Abe announced his resignation for health reasons.
- Reporting: Reuters, AP, Xinhua, Reuters,
Africa
- Ghana: Two South Korean citizens have been reportedly kidnapped by unidentified gunmen off the coast of the nation. (YNA)
- Somalia: The Security Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in the nation (UNSOM) for another year, till Aug. 31, 2021. (Xinhua)
- Tunisia: The nation has imposed a curfew in Kef province in the northwestern part of the nation after recording an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases. (Xinhua)
Americas
- United States: At least 14 people were killed after Hurricane Laura slammed into the southern states of Louisiana and Texas, authorities and local media reported. (AFP)
- United States: Immigration and Customs Enforcement has discovered 233 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at one of its facilities in Arizona. (AP)
- United States: Protesters stayed in the lobby of the Portland mayor’s office as Oregon protests against racial injustice continued. (AP)
Asia
- Afghanistan: At least 44 militants have been killed in northern Kunduz province over the past couple of days as security forces stepped up operations in the area, said an army statement released. (Xinhua)
- Australia: Victoria state reported its lowest rise in new COVID-19 cases in almost two months, but authorities warned they would be no rush to lift social distancing restrictions. (Reuters)
- China: Wuhan, the first city stricken by the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen all its schools and kindergartens, local authorities announced. (Reuters)
- South Korea: The number of COVID-19 cases in the nation remained in the 300s for the second straight day, but sporadic cluster infections connected to churches and a rally in the greater Seoul area are still putting the country’s virus fight at risk. (YNA)
Europe
- Belarus: Around 50 journalists, including six from RFE/RL, were arrested while covering the post-election protests in Minsk in the latest intimidation of the press in the country as authorities increase the crackdown. (RFE)
- Germany: A protest against COVID-19 restrictions can take place in Berlin after a second court ruled to overturn a ban that had enraged protesters. (DPA)
- Russia: Thousands of people took to the streets in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk to protest against President Vladimir Putin’s handling of a political crisis and the suspected poisoning of his most vocal critic. (Reuters)
- Russia: The government announced 111 people had died from new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, increasing the official death toll to 17,025. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Iran: A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for beheading his 14-year-old daughter in what has been referred to as a so-called “honor” killing that prompted widespread outrage in the country. (RFE)
- Lebanon: The Security Council adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Interim Force in the nation for an additional year, till Aug. 31, 2021. (Xinhua)
- United Arab Emirates: The nation’s president has issued a decree canceling the law boycotting Israeli goods and allowing trade and financial agreements between the two countries, the state news agency WAM reported. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Social Media: North Korea broadcasted a set of mysterious numbers, presumed to be an encrypted message to its spies in the South, for the first time on YouTube. (YNA)
World
- Cyclones:
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global
- Confirmed Cases as of 28AUG20: 24,765,771
- Total Recovered Cases as of 28AUG20: 16,212,865
- Deaths as of 28AUG20: 837,700
- 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 23AUG20: 98
- Probable Cases as of 23AUG20: 4
- Deaths as of 23AUG20: 44
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global
Tomorrow’s Outlook (30AUG20)
- Montenegro: Parliamentary Elections
END
