The Guardian: Covid-19 will devastate poorest nations if west does not act, warns UN
G20 told to ‘step up now or pay price later’ as up to 100 million globally face being pushed into extreme poverty
The west’s shortsighted response to the impact of Covid-19 could result in 640 million people being infected and 1.7 million killed in the world’s poorest countries, the UN warned.
The direct medical costs of treating 2.2 million patients in hospital critical care beds could amount to an estimated $16.28bn, while the focus on coronavirus could also lead to a diversion of scarce health resources, leading to a further 1.7 million preventable deaths from HIV, TB and malaria.
The findings – prepared for the UN by the economics department at Oxford – are designed as a call to arms as G20 finance ministers prepare to meet this weekend.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
War-torn Syria goes to the polls amid economic crisis.
Powerful explosions rock ammo dump of US-backed militia in northeast Syria, report says.
Iran security forces fire tear gas to disperse protesters.
Iran judiciary may halt protesters' executions after social media storm.
US urges Netanyahu to keep alive chance of Palestinian state.
Lebanon's financial crisis is spinning out of control as bread prices rise for the first time in 8 years and people fall deeper into poverty.
7 die in Turkey reconnaissance plane crash.
UN Yemen envoy calls for probe into civilian deaths.
U.N. warns of spill '4 times the size of Exxon Valdez' from disabled Yemeni tanker.
ASIA
India: Pakistan broke agreement on 'unimpeded' access to 'spy'.
Afghanistan condemns cross-border rocket firing by Pakistan.
China says will stick with U.S. trade deal, but respond to 'bullying'.
China slams U.S. response to Hong Kong security law as 'gangster logic'.
China says a US travel ban on Communist Party members would be 'pathetic'.
Kim Jong Un staying out of spotlight amid pandemic, analyst says.
North Korea decries Japan's 'bad habits' after white paper released.
Anger in Japan as US army bases report mounting Covid-19 outbreak.
AFRICA
River Nile dam: Sudan blasts 'unilateral' move as Ethiopia dam fills.
Sudanese rebels and government enter final phase of talks.
Egypt 'won't stand idle' on security threats from Libya.
Libya denounces Egypt's 'will not stand idle' threats.
US accuses Russian mercenaries of planting land mines in Libya.
Libya prisoner swap: Exchange between GNA and Haftar's forces.
Kidnappers 'release dozens of hostages' in Cameroon.
CAR minister blasts 'inequality crisis' in coronavirus testing.
Togo issues international arrest warrant for opposition figure.
Gabon appoints its first woman prime minister.
Algeria plans law to protect medics as attacks, virus cases rise.
EUROPE
New skirmishes erupt on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Shelling between Azerbaijan and Armenia ends brief ceasefire.
North Macedonia's Social Democrats secure razor-thin election win.
EU leaders meet in push for Covid recovery deal.
UK says Russia sought to interfere in 2019 election by spreading documents online.
Kremlin denies UK allegations of vote meddling, Covid-19 vaccine hacking.
In Russia's far east, rare anti-Putin protests gain momentum.
U.S. imposes fresh sanctions on Russian businessman Yevgeniy Prigozhin.
Mask-wearing compulsory indoors in public from next week, French PM Castex says.
Europe scraps data-sharing privacy agreement with US.
Battle of the statues continues as Bristol removes anti-racism protest monument.
AMERICAS
US tech and film 'collaborating' with China - Barr. Barr condemns Disney and Hollywood for 'kowtowing' to China.
U.S. extends border closures; EU tightens travel restrictions. North American borders to be closed through August 21.
Latin America's death toll tops 150,000.
Brazil coronavirus cases reach 2 million, doubling in less than a month.
Brazil's Bolsonaro still positive for coronavirus.
Brazil's Bolsonaro, a Trump ally, says he hopes U.S. president is reelected.
Peru president reshuffles cabinet as COVID-19 takes its toll.
Mexico tightens coronavirus curbs in tourist spots, other pockets.
Canada to spend C$19 billion on 'safe restart' after lockdown, Trudeau says.
Canadian federal court recommends external review of spy agency.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
New French PM says battle against 'radical Islamism' a priority.
‘Jihadi bride’ Shamima Begum wins right to return to Britain to fight for citizenship.
Tauqir Sharif: British-born aid worker faces trial by Syria jihadists.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street ends lower on COVID-19 worries, tech weighs.
Exclusive: OPEC fears second virus wave to prolong oil inventory overhang.
Netflix warns of slowdown after subscriber surge.
Twitter investigating breach of high-profile accounts by hackers. Twitter hack: FBI investigates major attack.
Battle over Huawei sanctions intensifies tensions between US and China.
US mortgage rates fall below 3% for first time ever.
