Friday, August 28, 2020

World News Briefs -- August 28, 2020



BBC: Shinzo Abe: Japan's PM resigns for health reasons

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has announced his resignation for health reasons.

He said he did not want his illness to get in the way of decision making, and apologised to the Japanese people for failing to complete his term in office.

The 65-year-old has suffered for many years from ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, but he said his condition had worsened recently.

Last year, he became Japan's longest serving prime minister. His current period in office began in 2012.

He will remain in his post until a successor is chosen.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Hamas, Israel trade fire as Gaza flareup shows no sign of abating.

Syrian peace talks to resume in Geneva after hold due to COVID-19.

UN concern over 'widespread' COVID-19 transmission in Syria.

Amid surge in COVID-19, Iraq's Shia mourn Imam Hussein.

Lebanese presidency to convene consultations on Monday to pick new PM.

Troubled waters: Greek-Turkish escalations in the Mediterranean.

EU warns Turkey of sanctions as east Mediterranean crisis worsens.

ASIA

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns due to illness, says he does not want health to affect policy decisions.

Amnesty Int'l: India police 'indulged' in violence, torture during protests.

China coronavirus investigation team and date of visit still to be decided.

South Korea struggling to control resurgence of coronavirus.

Afghanistan, Pakistan: At least 200 killed in monsoon floods.

Pakistan: Karachi experiences worst floods in almost a century, dozens dead.

Cyber attack crashes New Zealand stock exchange for fourth day in a row.

AFRICA

ECOWAS demands civilian transition in Mali, elections within a year.

'Disease' of Mali coup needs stamping out, says West African bloc.

Where state is weak, Mali militants broker talks between rival clans.

UAE implicated in lethal drone strike in Libya.

Pompeo approves plans to halt aid to Ethiopia over Nile dam dispute.

Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Ezzat.

Record flooding leaves dozens dead, thousands homeless in Sudan.

EUROPE

Belarus threatens to shut European transit routes if sanctions imposed.

Belarus deports Swedish journalist amid media crackdown.

UK sees highest number of new Covid-19 cases since mid-June.

France Covid-19: Paris compulsory face-mask rule comes into force.

Coronavirus to worsen in coming months, Germany’s Merkel warns. Coronavirus: Germany's Angela Merkel warns of hard months to come.

Merkel reveals she has no regrets over 2015 migrant influx, claims she would let 1 million into Germany again.

Alexei Navalny shows signs of improvement, still in induced coma.

AMERICAS

March on Washington: Thousands gather at historic civil rights march.

U.S. House panel announces contempt proceedings against Pompeo.

Medical examiner: George Floyd had 'fatal level of fentanyl' in his system, but is 'not saying this killed him'.

Three killed amid surge of violence in Colombia.

Peru, with world's deadliest outbreak, readies to start vaccine tests.

NBA playoffs to resume on Saturday after player-led protests.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS’ Jihad grows stronger in the COVID era.

Former college student admits she tried to join al Qaeda: US feds.

Right-wing extremism and Islamic extremism spread online in similar ways, new study says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Covid-19 dealt a shock to the world's top economies. Here's who has fared the worst.

Coronavirus: Gatwick passenger numbers collapse by 14.7 million.

Elon Musk's net worth tops $100 billion: Forbes.

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