COVID-19 Enters 'New Phase' | VP Frontrunner Opens Up

1. Worldwide Coronavirus Cases Doubling Every 6 Weeks

July was not only the worst month of the pandemic worldwide, but saw approximately as many cases as the first six months of the crisis, according to the World Health Organization. And those numbers may be far below reality: An investigation into leaked Iranian government records found almost 42,000 deaths, or nearly triple those reported by Tehran’s Health Ministry. Meanwhile, officials in the U.S. — where deaths are approaching 155,000 — say the virus is now widespread not only in cities, but in rural areas, and that the outbreak has entered “a new phase.”

Sources: BBC, The Guardian, Reuters

2. VP Hopeful Karen Bass Opens Up to OZY’s Carlos Watson

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he’ll select his running mate this week and announce the name next week — and there are still 13 women thought to be in the running. One who’s been gaining ground is Rep. Karen Bass, 66, who appeared on The Carlos Watson Show to talk about what motivated her to leap from community organizing to electoral politics. Still, she’s faced a barrage of new attacks about her views on Fidel Castro and Scientology — and some worry that extending the veepstakes for another week risks pitting female politicians against each other, helping the opposition.

Sources: OZY, Washington Post, NYT

3. Without Federal Agents, Protests in Portland Ease

Months of non-stop protest in Portland continued over the weekend — but after the withdrawal of federal agents on Thursday, the interactions were largely peaceful. That’s in marked contrast to the preceding two weeks, when protesters fought back against tear gas and rubber bullets by throwing water bottles. While thousands still showed up Saturday, the crowds were smaller Sunday, leading some organizers to worry that local enthusiasm for demonstrating might drift away now that immediate physical threats have lessened.

Sources: WSJ (sub), Oregonian

4. Hopes Dim for Quick COVID-19 Relief Bill

With Democratic and Republican lawmakers arguing over whether to extend a $600 per week extra benefit until early 2021, the weekly bump expired on Friday — leaving an estimated 25 million Americans without cash that’s been a lifeline. And officials say they’re not optimistic that a new agreement will be reached anytime soon — a delay that’s predicted to stunt any recovery the U.S. economy is forecast to make this year. Negotiations on the Hill begin again today.

Sources: FT (sub), Reuters

5. Also Important …

At least 21 people have died in an Islamic State attack on an Afghan prison. HSBC says its profits have plunged 65 percent due to the pandemic. And President Donald Trump promised he’d sign a “full and complete” health care plan for the U.S. within two weeks … two weeks ago.

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1. Mixed Messages on GOP Convention Press Ban

In a typical election year, a party convention is the chance for a press blitz as the candidate is officially given a presidential nomination. But this isn’t a typical year: The GOP convention has already zig-zagged from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida, and then back. Now one GOP spokesperson has announced that press will be banned in order to keep to COVID-19 protocols, though another convention official said, “No final decision has been made.” It’s unclear how the hundreds of politicians planning to attend will be able to follow North Carolina’s ban on indoor groups larger than 10. The convention begins Aug. 24.

Sources: Charlotte Observer, The Guardian

2. Microsoft Pursuing Purchase of TikTok

It’s not just idle ‘Tok. President Trump promised to ban TikTok in the U.S. over worries about its Chinese ownership, but Microsoft now says it’s trying to buy the wildly successful video sharing app’s operations in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia. It’s thought that the roadblock to such a sale is Trump himself, but Microsoft says CEO Satya Nadella has been in talks with the president and that discussions over the sale should be complete by mid-September.

Sources: TechCrunch, The Verge

3. Anti-Racist Protests Rock South Africa’s Elite Schools

In recent years, protests demanding the decolonization of education have sent tremors though South Africa’s colleges and universities. But the current wave of protests are starting younger: This time, sparked by the global Black Lives Matter moment, it’s South African high school students — at the country’s most elite and expensive institutions — calling for an end to systemic racism, OZY reports. While the schools involved are only a small portion of the education system, anti-racist advocates hope they’ll set the tone for change across the country.

Source: OZY

4. Champagne Bubble Bursts Due to Pandemic

Social bubbles are in, but these bubbles are out. The champagne industry’s turnover has fallen by a third this year, as celebratory events are canceled around the globe. A Champagne Committee spokesperson said this year is worse than the Great Depression, with 100 million unsold bottles expected by the year’s end and $2 billion in revenue down the drain. The industry is expected to set caps at a mid-August meeting to strictly limit production, which will hit small producers hardest — and could see the region’s prized grapes sold off to make hand sanitizer.

Sources: RFI, AP

5. NCAA Teeters as Players, Power 5 Revolt

They’re fumbling this. Over the weekend, more than 100 Pac-12 football players published a letter demanding player-approved safety standards, insurance and the ability to opt out without losing their eligibility. At the same time, the Power 5 — five top Division 1 football conferences — say that if the NCAA delays or cancels its championships, they’ll just stage their own. The embattled NCAA Board of Governors is expected to meet this week, and any lack of clarity — like putting off whether to cancel championships — could further anger players and schools.

Sources: SI, Bleacher Report