Wednesday,  Aug. 12th, 2020

Biden selects Kamala Harris as running mate Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, announced on Tuesday he has selected Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as his running mate. Harris, who was previously a presidential candidate herself, was considered a top contender as Biden’s vice presidential pick, alongside Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), former U.N. ambassador Susan Rice, and nearly a dozen others. Harris was previously the attorney general of California. She is now the first Black and South Asian American woman on a major party presidential ticket. Biden and Harris will hold their first appearance together on Wednesday during an event in Wilmington, Delaware. Source: CBS News

Putin says Russia has registered 1st approved coronavirus vaccine Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that Russia has become the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine, claiming victory in a global race to conquer COVID-19. The vaccine was developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, and Putin said one of his two daughters is among the Russians already inoculated with the vaccine, joining a small group that includes the researchers who developed it and about 50 members of Russia’s military. Medical experts expressed concerns that the Kremlin aggressively and dangerously rushed the vaccine approval process, putting global prestige over public health. Russian officials said Phase III trial of the vaccine will be conducted as thousands of Russian medical workers, teachers, and other groups are inoculated. The World Health Organization lists the Gamaleya vaccine trial as in Phase I. Source: The Associated Press

The total number of worldwide confirmed cases of COVID-19 surpasses 20 million. The United States remains the global leader of case numbers, accounting for more than 25 percent, cumulative. (CNN)

Israel launches multiple airstrikes in the Gaza Strip after incendiary balloons launch from Gaza into Israel. (Haaretz)

The Office for National Statistics reports the worst job losses in the United Kingdom since the financial crisis of 2007–2008. (BBC)

Singapore enters technical recession for the first time in a decade after its economy contracts by 13.2% in the second quarter, which translates to a record 42.9% plunge in its annualised GDP. (The Straits Times)

Natick, Massachusetts issues town-wide water restrictions, limiting water use by Natick residents, in response to an ongoing drought affecting most parts of New England. (Patch)

Greece imposes midnight until 7 am local time curfew on bars, restaurants, and cafés in several regions following a spike of COVID-19 cases. (ITV)

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya flees Belarus to her family in Lithuania, according to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Antanas Linkevičius. Tsikhanouskaya had gone into hiding after the disputed election, which she accuses President Alexander Lukashenko of rigging. (Reuters)

U.S. ‘may have missed a window’ in coronavirus treatment development Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the U.S. “may have a missed a window” to scale up production of coronavirus treatments, which “could have been an important bridge to a vaccine.” On Tuesday, Gottlieb discussed the strategy of ratcheting up vaccine production even before federal approval to get a stockpile ready. He said the focus on vaccine development means less emphasis on a potential treatment known as monoclonal antibodies. The treatment, made of genetically engineered antibodies, is reportedly a promising method in fighting COVID-19, and two separate clinical trials are in progress. The speed has been focused on vaccines, though Gottlieb said the antibody treatment could serve as a “hedge in the event vaccines are delayed or don’t work.” Because of the slow progress, Gottlieb said, “we just don’t have enough doses to realize that goal.” Source: Stat News

The End