https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-travel-industry-job-losses-197-million-wttc-2020-8
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-telemental-health-report-2019-9
Tuesday, Aug. 18th, 2020
Record heat wave, lightning strikes, fire tornado fuel California wildfires California is grappling with triple-digit temperatures, a freak lightning storm in the Bay Area, and high winds, all of which are contributing to wildfires breaking out throughout the state and, on Saturday, at least one rare fire tornado in Lassen County, north of Lake Tahoe. The National Weather Service in Reno issued a first-ever fire tornado warning on Saturday and said Sunday it planned to investigate the rare phenomenon as soon as the wildfire was under control. Moisture from an offshore tropical storm caused nonstop lightning in the Bay Area and elsewhere in the state, igniting new spot fires. Much of the state hit triple-digit temperatures over the weekend, and Death Valley recorded a record-high 130 degrees. The heat wave led to rolling blackouts in parts of the state. Source: The Associated Press
Japan suffers its biggest economic slump on record as its economy’s GDP fell 7.8% in April-June quarter, which translates to 27.8% annual fall. (BBC)
Australia reports 25 new COVID-19 deaths – all of them in Victoria – the deadliest day since the pandemic began. (ABC News Australia)
Lukashenko states that there will be no fresh elections “until you kill me”, he warns as he urges people to let people who want to work to work amid a general strike. (Sky News)
The 2020 Democratic National Convention begins, running until Thursday. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris are expected to be officially nominated for their party’s choice for President and Vice President, respectively, in the upcoming election. (NPR)
The End
artificial stupid 