Monday, August 24, 2020

World News Briefs -- August 24, 2020



Daily Mail: Trump is officially nominated as Republicans' 2020 candidate on first morning of scaled-back convention - and makes surprise appearance to chants of 'four more years' as he calls election 'most important of our lifetime'

* Donald Trump made a stop at the Republican National Convention Monday
* The surprise speech came just after delegates formally nominated Trump to become the the Republican presidential candidate in November
* Trump is preparing to speak all four nights of the Republican Convention this week – in addition to the surprise speech on Monday afternoon
* It also came as his campaign released it's 49-point plan for his second term
* The RNC also released a resolution on its 2020 platform that said it will not adopt a new platform from the 2016 convention until 2024
* '[T]he Republican Party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the President's America-first agenda,' the RNC wrote in its resolution
* Many speakers and events will take place remotely or to a reduced crowd in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic
* While the RNC will not be fully virtual like the Democratic Convention was last week, the in-person events are severely scaled down

Donald Trump made a surprise stop at the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on Monday afternoon after he was officially nominated to become the party's candidate in November.

Coming out onto the stage to his rally anthem 'God Bless the USA,' Trump was greeted by delegates at the scaled-down convention with chants of 'four more years.'

'We have to win. This is the most important election in the history of our country,' Trump said to cheers from a smaller-than-usual crowd.

'Don't let them take it away from you,' Trump urged the end of his nearly hour-long remarks. 'Don't let them take it away. North Carolina, we love you. That's why I'm here… very special people.'

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MIDDLE EAST

Gas pipeline explosion leads to blackout across Syria.

Gas pipeline blast that caused blackouts in Syria was 'almost certainly a strike by ISIS' – US envoy.

US-led coalition forces withdraw from Iraqi base.

Mike Pompeo makes appeal for normal relations with Israel. Pompeo urges more Arab states to make peace with Israel.

Pompeo vows U.S. will ensure Israel keeps Mideast 'military edge'.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepts budget compromise and avoids forcing another election.

Iran releases data, cockpit talk from Ukraine International Airlines flight shot down near Tehran.

Iran nuclear: Fire at Natanz plant 'caused by sabotage'.

ASIA

South China Sea: Philippine defence secretary says Beijing’s ‘historical rights don’t exist’.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un acknowledges economic shortfalls amid COVID-19, flooding and heavy sanctions.

South Korea on brink of nationwide virus outbreak, officials warn.

Coronavirus: China has been giving potential vaccine to key workers since July.

At least 90 feared trapped as five-storey building collapses in India.

Shinzo Abe: concern in Japan after second hospital visit in a week .

Bangladesh to lift Rohingya refugees internet ban ‘very soon’.

New Zealand mosque gunman unmoved as sentencing begins.

AFRICA

Mali junta proposes 3-year military rule, agrees to free president: reports .

Mali talks on-going as junta denies plans for three-year military rule.

U.S. halts military cooperation with Mali as coup supporters celebrate.

'Alarming escalation' in northern Nigeria attacks.

Africa’s coronavirus recoveries reach 899,000, WHO reports.

DR Congo: Felix Tshisekedi moves closer to the US.

Tito Mboweni: South Africa's president lambasts minister over Zambia tweets.

Sudan's Jabal Maragha: Illegal gold diggers destroy ancient site.

EUROPE

Two opposition leaders arrested in Belarus after day of protest.

Belarus blocks over 50 news websites amid large protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus: Opposition calls for fresh strikes in state-owned companies.

Lukashenko, Putin discuss situation in Belarus.

Baltic nations form human chains in support of Belarus protests.

Russia's Foreign Minister calls Washington's conditions for preserving new START Treaty unrealistic.

German authorities say it's 'likely' Alexei Navalny was poisoned.

Ukraine: German foreign minister hails 'progress' in peace talks.

Danish military intelligence head Lars Findsen suspended.

AMERICAS

Republicans officially renominate Trump for president.

Protests erupt in Wisconsin after Black man shot in back by police.

Manhattan prosecutor agrees to shelve subpoena for Trump tax returns.

Mexico has more than 60,000 deaths - but says pandemic 'waning'.

Erin O'Toole elected new opposition Conservative leader in Canada.

At least 13 killed in stampede fleeing Peru police at banned club.

Twin hurricanes head for US after deadly storm hits Haiti, Dominican Republic.

California braces for 'dangerous' weather as 200,000 near San Francisco told to evacuate due to wildfires.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS-affiliated fighters take control of a strategic port In Mozambique.

Philippines: Deadly double bomb attacks hit island.

Al-Qaeda executes dentist in Yemen.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Facebook agrees to pay France €106m in back taxes.

Microsoft backs Fortnight maker Epic Games in row with Apple over the removal of its developer licence claiming the move could hurt development of Xbox games.

TikTok files lawsuit against Donald Trump's ban on social media platform in United States.

Mark Zuckerberg pushed anti-TikTok message to officials, lawmakers: report.

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