Monday, July 20th, 2020

Japan launches a ¥70 billion payment scheme to pay firms to move factories out of China to either Japan itself or countries within the Southeast Asian region in an attempt to better secure its supply chains. 57 firms, including face mask manufacturer Iris Ohyama, are among the first to receive the subsidy. (Bloomberg)

Hong Kong recorded its highest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began, with 108 new cases which contains 83 local transmission cases and 25 imported cases. (BBC)

An Algerian man in Antwerp, Belgium, dies after a police officer was kneeling on his back during an arrest outside a bar. The death was compared to that of George Floyd. (BBC)

A shooting at the home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas leaves her son dead and her husband injured. Salas herself is not injured. Law enforcement officials say the gunman was dressed in a FedEx uniform.  (CNN)

Largest street demonstration in Thailand since the 2014 Thai coup d’état erupted at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok with around 2,500 protesters demanded the government resignation, parliament dissolution, and rewriting of the constitution, defying a coronavirus ban on gatherings (Reuters)

Start planning for there not being a vaccine.

 

Monday, July 20th, 2020

 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries successfully launches Hope, a United Arab Emirates space probe to Mars, from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. It is the first mission to Mars from the Arab world. (The Independent)

Hong Kong recorded its highest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began, with 108 new cases which contains 83 local transmission cases and 25 imported cases. (BBC)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announces new measures including plans to make it compulsory to wear masks inside any public indoor venue and a new order for non-essential civil servants to work for home. (France 24)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announces that five United States Navy teams would be deployed to hospitals in Harlingen, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Rio Grande City. (Texas Tribune)

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler renews calls for federal troops to leave the city, accusing them of using abusive tactics against protesters. (BBC)

 

WHO reports record global coronavirus infections over 24-hour period  The World Health Organization on Saturday reported a new record in daily global coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day, tallying 259,848 infections in a 24-hour period that also saw 7,360 new deaths. Since the pandemic began late last year, The Associated Press reports, more than 600,000 people across the world have died from the virus. The United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa reported the biggest increases Saturday. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 74,000 new infections Saturday, with Missouri and North Carolina setting new daily highs. Arizona saw its highest number of daily coronavirus deaths, at 147, though NPR notes the figure was reportedly in part the result of a review of death certificates. Source:  Reuters

Oregon AG files lawsuit alleging federal agencies violated protesters’ civil rights  Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit Friday night alleging several federal agencies violated Portland protesters’ civil rights by arresting them without probable cause. The legal action comes amid a series of demonstrations against police brutality in Portland this week that continued through Saturday evening. The lawsuit claims agents from the Department of Homeland Security injured and threatened protesters, and it also seeks to require officers to identify themselves and their agency before making an arrest, as well as explain the reason behind any arrest. Previously, U.S. Attorney Billy Williams in Portland requested the DHS inspector general investigate reports that agents arrested people without probable cause. Source: USA Today

 

 

Sunday,  July 19th, 2020

New York records 743 hospitalizations, its lowest since March 18. (CBS News)

Around 85 infants in Nueces County test positive for coronavirus. (The Hill)

Protesters gather near the home of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. (CNN)

Three Black Lives Matter protesters are charged in Toronto for pouring pink paint on the statues of John A. Macdonald at Queen’s Park and Egerton Ryerson at Ryerson University. (CBC News)

Israelis protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his handling of COVID-19 and corruption. (Reuters)

President Hassan Rouhani says that the health ministry estimated as many as 25 million Iranians have been infected by the virus and that 30 to 35 million will be infected in the coming months as he urges the public to take the virus seriously. (AP)

Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested. Authorities said protesters allegedly blocked exits of government buildings and launched fireworks. Saturday morning’s arrests came after the US Attorney for Oregon on Friday requested an investigation into masked, camouflaged federal authorities who have recently arrested Portland protesters. (CNN)

 

The End

Saturday,  July 18th, 2020

https://www.theweek.com/articles/925913/7-scathing-cartoons-about-push-reopen-schools

https://www.theweek.com/articles/925884/time-dread

 

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announces he will donate a quarter of his US$4,806 monthly salary to help health services fight the virus. He also encouraged other public officials to follow his move. (Reuters)

India surpasses one million cases, as the death count reaches 25,000. (BBC)

Tokyo reported a record daily increase in COVID-19 cases, with 293 new cases. (Voice of America)

Manhattan Beach announces that they will fine people who don’t wear masks. (Los Angeles Times)

Officials in Miami announces that they will impose a curfew at South Beach as Florida tops 10,000 cases. (CBS News)

Military medics are deployed to hospitals in Texas and California as cases surge. (The Chicago Tribune)

Protesters attempt to remove a statue of Christopher Columbus at Grant Park, prompting a standoff between police. (Newsweek)

Major League Baseball announces five more players have tested positive for COVID-19. (ESPN)

The Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League is expected to change its name. (ESPN)

New York City enters final reopening phase as California, Florida cases surge  New York City, once the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, will move to its final phase of reopening on Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Friday. Malls, gyms, and cultural institutions will remain closed, as will indoor dining. Meanwhile things are going the other direction in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, though the latter two states’ governors said they will not shut down businesses again. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Friday most schools will not reopen in the state. Florida recorded 128 new deaths from COVID-19 in the past day on Friday afternoon, its fourth day of death tolls over 100. And in Texas, FEMA sent in extra body bags and refrigerated trucks to prepare for a surging death toll. Source:  Miami Herald

Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, criticizes President Donald Trump and acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf amid reports of federal agents detaining protesters in Portland, Oregon, the most populous city in the state. Wolf tweeted the previous day that the forces were sent to the city due to it being “under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob.” (The Hill)

The National Football League announces 72 of its players have tested positive for COVID-19. (Bleacher Report)

The End