Tuesday,  Aug. 4th, 2020

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews orders the temporary closure of many businesses and retail stores in Melbourne under stage four lockdown restrictions for six weeks to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Victoria. Only essential services such as supermarkets, food stores, liquor shops, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, and other essentials that can remain open. (9 News)

BBC News reports that the number of deaths and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iran are about three times higher than what was reported by the government, according to a data leak. (BBC)

Catalonia exceeds 100,000 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. (La Vanguardia)

Brazil’s Chief of Staff of the Presidency Walter Souza Braga Netto tests positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)

A UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea report concedes that North Korea has “probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles”. (Reuters)

President Donald Trump says he has the right to issue an executive order on mail-in voting but hasn’t gotten to it yet. (Reuters)

Lawmakers remain gridlocked on coronavirus relief The Trump administration and congressional leaders remained at a stalemate on Monday after resuming negotiations for the next round of coronavirus relief. Democrats have pushed to renew the $600 per week in extra jobless benefits that expired Friday, although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the sum could be reduced as unemployment falls. Senate Republicans have proposed lowering the figure to $200 per week, and have argued payments should be tied to a percentage of wages rather than a flat amount. On Monday, Pelosi conceded a deal was not likely this week, and said lawmakers were still far from agreeing on major aspects of a large-scale bill that could include unemployment boosts, SNAP benefits, and aid for altering election processes amid the pandemic. Source: Politico

 

 

Monday, Aug. 3rd, 2020

In rare talks, Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a video call to discuss various regional issues, including combating COVID-19 in their respective countries. (Al Jazeera)

Hundreds of people gather and protest in Portland, Oregon, marking the 66th night of protests in the city. (CNN)

 

The End