PORTAL:CURRENT EVENTS 2020 AUGUST 15

August 15, 2020 (Saturday)

Business and economy

Argentine debt restructuring
- The government approves a proposed deal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to restructure around $65 billion in foreign government bonds, following President Alberto Fernández's successful negotiations with creditors and the International Monetary Fund the previous week after the country defaulted in May. The government plans to submit the proposal to the SEC on August 17. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- The MSC Grandiosa disembarks from Genoa, Italy, on a seven-day cruise in the Mediterranean Sea, the first major cruise ship to sail in the Sea in almost five months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (BBC News)

Disasters and accidents

MV Wakashio oil spill
- The Japanese bulk carrier Wakashio, which stranded on a reef in Mauritius last month, breaks in half. Approximately 1,000 tonnes of oil spilled into the ocean. Most of the oil had been pumped out before the ship broke in half in the afternoon. Around 166 tonnes of oil remained after the break, and authorities are working to remove it. Scientists call it the biggest environmental disaster ever in Mauritius. France says it will help with the cleanup. Japan's ministry of environment announced that it will send officials and other specialists to look at the damage. (Reuters)
Two lighter vessels capsize in the Bay of Bengal, near the island of Bhasan Char in Bangladesh. The country's Inland Water Transport Authority report that 13 crew members from one vessel en route to the Narayanganj District from Chittagong are missing, while all 12 crew members from the other vessel were rescued. (Anadolu Agency)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
    - Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen mandates the wearing of face masks on all public transport in the country, effective August 22, in an effort to control the spread of the virus. (AFP via Daily Sabah)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - The daily number of new COVID-19 cases in France tops 3,000 for the first time since lockdown eased. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malta
    - Malta reports 72 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. It is the highest single increase in new cases in the country since the pandemic began. (Times of Malta)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
    - Ireland reports 200 new cases but no deaths in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number of daily cases since May. (The Irish Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Russia announces the production of the first batch of its Sputnik V vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
    - South Korea reports 166 new cases of COVID-19. From that number, 139 were traced to Seoul and Gyeonggi Province and a significant portion of them were linked to cluster infections involving churchgoers. It is the highest number of reported new cases since March 11. (Kyodo News)
    - After a spike in new cases, the government decides to tighten social distancing measures in Seoul and surrounding areas. Many measures that are to be implemented include restricting numbers of gatherings and sports events played behind closed doors. (Tempo)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Minister of State Owned Enterprises and chief of the COVID-19 recovery team, Erick Thohir, announces that the government would bar foreign visitors until the completion of a vaccine. Indonesian scientists are testing a COVID-19 vaccine with Sinovac Biotech, which Thohir says is likely to be completed next year. (Kyodo News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria
    - Algeria begins to reopen their mosques, beaches, cafes, and parks five months after their lockdown. (ABC News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
    - President Cyril Ramaphosa announces a plan to ease nearly all restrictions on the economy from August 17, including lifting a controversial ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco that had been imposed in July, as infections peak. (BBC News)

International relations

Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
  - The government of the Netherlands issues a travel warning advising the public not to travel to some places, including Paris, the region surrounding Marseilles, Brussels, Ibiza and Mallorca. The warnings come as a response to an increase in new cases in Spain, France and Belgium. (NL Times)
Aftermath of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election
- The leaders of the Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, issue a joint statement calling on Belarus to hold a new "free and fair" election with international observers. (RFE/RL)
Poland–United States relations
- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak sign an agreement in Warsaw to redeploy about 1,000 U.S. troops from Germany to Poland so as to bring the total to 5,500. The agreement also includes a potential increase to 20,000 U.S. troops if Poland is under threat. (BBC News)
Israel and the United Nations
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi condemns the UN Security Council's decision not to extend an arms embargo on Iran. Ashkenazi argues that Iran "will lead to further Middle East instability". (Reuters)
Afghanistan–France relations, Afghan peace process
- Amidst the release of "hardcore" Taliban prisoners, the French government asks the Afghan government not to release those involved in the killing of French citizens. (Reuters)

Law and crime

George Floyd protests
- George Floyd protests in Georgia
  - Antifa militants, far-right groups, and pro-Confederacy groups clash at Stone Mountain, near the city of Stone Mountain, Georgia. (The Daily Beast)
- George Floyd protests in Michigan
  - Members of the right-wing group Proud Boys clash with counter-protesters in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with police carrying out nine arrests, including a local newspaper reporter. (AP)
2020 Thai protests
- Student activist Parit Chiwarak is released on bail after being arrested on Friday for co-organising a rally in July. He was charged with violating the COVID-19 measures and breaching internal security. Protests have been taking place in Thailand since July against the government. Parit Chiwarak has said he will continue to protest against the government and for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Reuters)
Thai King Vajiralongkorn commutes the death sentence of two Burmese nationals convicted of the rape and murder of two British backpackers in 2014 in Ko Tao. The royal decree was issued to commemorate the birthday of the King, on July 28, to "illustrate the king's clemency". The pair now serve life in prison. (BBC News)

Politics and elections

2020 Belarusian protests
- President Alexander Lukashenko issues an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin as he considers the protests "not a threat to just Belarus anymore". Statements by both sides contained a pointed reference to the Union State between the two countries. Meanwhile, opposition candidate leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is exiled in Lithuania, calls for more protests. (Reuters)

Sports

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, 2019–20 Chinese Basketball Association season
- In basketball, the Guangdong Southern Tigers win their 10th CBA championship, bringing an end to the 2019–20 CBA season, which was paused due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (South China Morning Post)

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