Síntesis informativa - 6 de agosto 2020

THE NEW YORK TIMES

The Unique U.S. Failure to Control the Virus

When it comes to the virus, the United States has come to resemble not the wealthy and powerful countries to which it is often compared but instead to far poorer countries, like Brazil, Peru and South Africa, or those with large migrant populations, like Bahrain and Oman. As in several of those other countries, the toll of the virus in the United States has fallen disproportionately on poorer people and groups that have long suffered discrimination. Black and Latino residents of the United States have contracted the virus at roughly three times as high of a rate as white residents.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/us/united-states-failure-coronavirus.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

 

Weekly Jobless Claims Decline, but Top One Million for 20th Week

The government reported on Thursday that nearly 1.2 million workers filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week. It was the lowest weekly total since March, but signaled the continuing damage that the pandemic is inflicting on the labor market.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/08/06/business/stock-market-today-coronavirus?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

 

Trump’s Bank Was Subpoenaed by N.Y. Prosecutors in Criminal Inquiry

The New York prosecutors who are seeking President Trump’s tax records have also subpoenaed his longtime lender, a sign that their criminal investigation into Mr. Trump’s business practices is more wide-ranging than previously known.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/nyregion/trump-taxes-vance-deutsche-bank.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

 

U.S. Examines Whether Saudi Nuclear Program Could Lead to Bomb Effort

Intelligence agencies are scrutinizing whether the kingdom’s work with China to develop nuclear expertise is cover to process uranium and move toward development of a weapon.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/us-examines-saudi-nuclear-program.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

 

Lawmakers Aim to Prevent Trump From Bypassing Ban on Armed Drone Sales

WASHINGTON — A bill Democratic and Republican senators plan to introduce on Thursday would ban the sale of advanced armed drones to any nation that is not a close ally of the United States, according to lawmakers and congressional aides.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/us/politics/lawmakers-trump-armed-drone-sales.html?action=click&module=Latest&pgtype=Homepage

 

As Smoke Clears in Beirut, Shock Turns to Anger

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Since an orphaned shipment of highly explosive chemicals arrived at the port of Beirut in 2013, Lebanese officials treated it the way they have dealt with the country’s lack of electricity, poisonous tap water and overflowing garbage: by bickering and hoping the problem might solve itself.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-lebanon.html

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RUSSIA TODAY

Takes one to know one? New 'Russian disinformation' scare-sheet by State Department's propaganda arm is full of projection

The State Department has released a report purporting to unmask “Russia’s disinformation and propaganda ecosystem,” highlighting supposed Russian proxies in an effort to cast all opposition to US policy as Kremlin-linked.

https://www.rt.com/op-ed/497264-russia-disinfo-state-department/

 

Russia & US should play leading role in nuclear disarmament, not China - Beijing's ambassador

A leading role in the nuclear disarmament should be played by Moscow and Washington, but not Beijing, because China’s nuclear arsenal is noticeably smaller, according to Chinese Ambassador to US Cui Tiankai.

https://www.rt.com/newsline/497194-russia-us-nuclear-china/

 

Beijing is 'firmly opposed' to US action to block Chinese apps

The Trump administration said earlier it was stepping up efforts to purge “untrusted” Chinese apps from US digital networks. It described the Chinese-owned short-video app TikTok and messenger app WeChat as “significant threats,” Reuters reported.

https://www.rt.com/newsline/497228-china-opposed-us-apps/

 

Cyprus ready to help EU 'fill E. Mediterranean power vacuum' amid alleged US disengagement 

The European Union must do more to fill a power void in the eastern Mediterranean brought on by a perceived US disengagement from the region, Cyprus’ foreign minister said on Wednesday. The island nation is ready to host an EU task force to achieve that goal, AP quoted Nikos Christodoulides as saying.

https://www.rt.com/newsline/497164-cyprus-eu-mediterranean-vacuum/

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THE GUARDIAN

Google deletes 2,500 China-linked YouTube channels over disinformation

The report comes as tensions between the US and China over technology and social media rise ahead of the US general election. On Wednesday, the White House said it was stepping up efforts to purge “untrusted” Chinese apps from US digital networks, calling the Chinese-owned short-video app TikTok and messenger app WeChat “significant threats.”

TikTok faces a deadline of 15 September to either sell its US operations to Microsoft or face an outright ban. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said a US campaign called “Clean Network” would focus on five areas and include steps to prevent various Chinese apps, as well as Chinese telecoms companies, from accessing sensitive information on American citizens and businesses.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/06/google-deletes-2500-china-linked-youtube-channels-over-disinformation

 

Deadly diseases from wildlife thrive when nature is destroyed, study finds

The research assessed nearly 7,000 animal communities on six continents and found that the conversion of wild places into farmland or settlements often wipes out larger species. It found that the damage benefits smaller, more adaptable creatures that also carry the most pathogens that can pass to humans.

The assessment found that the populations of animals hosting what are known as zoonotic diseases were up to 2.5 times bigger in degraded places, and that the proportion of species that carry these pathogens increased by up to 70% compared with in undamaged ecosystems.

Humans populations are being increasingly hit by diseases that originate in wild animals, such as HIV, Zika, Sars and Nipah virus. Since the coronavirus pandemic began, there have been a series of warnings from the UN and WHO that the world must tackle the cause of these outbreaks – the destruction of nature – and not just the health and economic symptoms.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/05/deadly-diseases-from-wildlife-thrive-when-nature-is-destroyed-study-finds

 

Beirut explosion: death toll rises to 137 as army takes control of site

The new casualty figures on Thursday morning include at least 5,000 injured and a health ministry spokesman said dozens were still missing. “This toll is not final,” he said.

As volunteers worked with the army to clean up damaged streets, buildings and hospitals, the government said it had formed an investigation committee to look into the explosion, which appears to have been set off by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate t stored at the port since 2014.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/06/beirut-explosion-death-toll-rises-wounded

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AL JAZEERA

Anger grows in Lebanon as investigators probe Beirut explosion

Beirut, Lebanon - A government-led investigation is under way in Lebanon to probe the cause of the massive explosion that ripped through the capital, Beirut.



The government announced on Wednesday that those responsible for guarding and storage at Beirut's port - the epicentre of the blast - would be placed under house arrest "as soon as possible," after the disaster left at least 135 dead and 5,000 wounded.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/anger-rises-lebanon-investigation-probes-beirut-explosion-200805191032840.html 

 

Colombians revel, protest over order to detain ex-President Uribe

Bogota, Colombia - Colombians took to the streets on Tuesday evening to celebrate and also protest against the Supreme Court order to detain ex-President Alvaro Uribe while investigations against him for witness tampering and fraud continue. 

The decision left many citizens shocked. Some pleased, others angered.

Throughout major cities, people stood on the roads and balconies to bang pots and pans and fly the yellow, blue and red Colombian flag. But it was hard to tell who was celebrating the court decision and who was supporting Uribe - possibly the most controversial and polarising living public figure in the country.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/columbians-revel-protest-order-detain-president-uribe-200805183748135.html

 

US: Choctaw tribe hardest-hit by Mississippi coronavirus crisis

When Sharon Taylor died of coronavirus, her family - standing apart, wearing masks - sang her favourite hymns at her graveside, next to a tiny headstone for her stillborn daughter, buried 26 years ago. Fresh flowers marked row after row of new graves.

Holy Rosary is one of the only cemeteries in this Choctaw family's community, and it is running out of space - a sign of the virus's enormous toll on the Choctaw people.

As confirmed coronavirus cases skyrocket in Mississippi, the state's only federally recognised American Indian tribe has been devastated. COVID-19 has ripped through Choctaw families, many of whom live together in multigenerational homes.

 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/choctaw-tribe-hardest-hit-mississippi-coronavirus-crisis-200805173359109.html

 

Obama official says Trump adviser tried to ease Russia sanctions

The second-in-command Justice Department official in the Obama administration told Congress that President Donald Trump's former national security adviser informed a Russian diplomat in 2016 that the incoming Trump administration would "essentially neutralise" US sanctions imposed on Russia for its election interference.

Sally Yates, President Barack Obama's deputy attorney general, told a United States Senate committee on Wednesday that it was "highly irregular" for Trump adviser Michael Flynn to tell a Russian ambassador that the incoming administration hoped Russia would minimise its response.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/obama-official-trump-adviser-ease-russia-sanctions-200805204711835.html 

 

Otros Medios

Beirut explosion: How the port blast will hit Lebanon's economy (Middle East Eye)

The huge explosion at Beirut’s port is a crippling blow to a country that had been reeling from a political and financial crisis, a depreciating currency and the Covid-19 pandemic. Economic damage from the blast is being estimated in the billions of dollars.

“It’s hard to imagine the financial cost of this disaster, it is in the billions. The port is completely destroyed, and much of the city is damaged. Who will pay for the reconstruction of Beirut?” said Laury Haytayan, a Beirut-based expert at the National Resource Institute.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/beirut-explosion-lebanon-economy-port-will-hit  

 

KRG seeks US help to rein in Turkish attacks

Kurdish Twitter was aflutter Aug. 2 with claims that a US military delegation had met with members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a State Department-designated terrorist organization, at their headquarters in the Qandil mountains separating Iraq from Iran.

According to one version of the story, a convoy carrying the US forces made its way under US air cover to the mountain range. The Americans told the PKK that it would need to remove itself from northeastern Syria and stop meddling in its affairs. In return, the United States would help its Syrian Kurdish allies consolidate their autonomy project.

 https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/08/iraq-turkey-us-military-delegation-visit-pkk-qandil-centcom.html#ixzz6UJOH1L00  

 

Pro-Iran militias continue hitting military bases in Iraq

The two rockets that hit Baghdad airport July 30 were one of several attacks in Iraq last month presumed to be or declared by Shiite armed groups against any Western military presence in the country.

The airport, which had reopened July 23 for commercial flights after it was closed in March in an attempt to stem the coronavirus pandemic, lies just west of the capital. No significant damage resulted; the rockets had reportedly been shot from two different areas along an international highway in al-Radwaniyah, southwest of the capital.

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/08/iraq-shiite-militias-us-iran.html#ixzz6UJON5lKh  

 

Egypt, Turkey show off naval strength in eastern Mediterranean

CAIRO — The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced July 25 via Twitter that the Turkish air force carried out military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean. It also posted photos and videos confirming the drill.

This comes in light of the escalating regional tensions between Turkey, Greece and Cyprus over gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as between Turkey and Egypt on Libya.

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/08/egypt-turkey-military-drills-eastern-mediterranean-libya.html#ixzz6UJOTaCcM  

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LE MONDE

Elections américaines : bataille rangée autour du vote par correspondance

A l’heure du Covid-19, les démocrates veulent étendre le vote à distance mais Donald Trump y voit la « plus grande fraude électorale de l’histoire ». La poste est prise en otage entre les deux camps.

Corine Lesnes

De fait, faciliter l’accès au vote est supposé profiter surtout aux populations défavorisées et aux jeunes, catégories traditionnellement prodémocrates. Mais en temps de pandémie, le verdict est moins tranché. Nombre d’électeurs – notamment les retraités, plus conservateurs – ne sont pas enthousiastes à l’idée de se mêler à la foule dans des bureaux de vote exigus.

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/08/06/elections-americaines-bataille-rangee-autour-du-vote-par-correspondance_6048259_3210.html

 

La RDC s’oppose à la reconfiguration d’une brigade spéciale de la force onusienne

Composée de 3 000 casques bleus, la FIB est dotée d’un mandat offensif pour neutraliser les groupes armés locaux et étrangers actifs dans l’est du pays.

La République démocratique du Congo (RDC) a soutenu « pleinement » une position de la Communauté de développement d’Afrique australe (SADC) opposée à une proposition des Nations unies de reconfigurer une brigade sous-régionale intégrée à la force onusienne, selon un communiqué publié mercredi 5 août.

https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2020/08/06/la-rdc-s-oppose-a-la-reconfiguration-d-une-brigade-speciale-de-la-force-onusienne_6048278_3212.html

 

Un navire moldave et 2 750 tonnes de nitrate d’ammonium : au Liban, les premiers contours d’un scénario terrible

Avant même l’ouverture d’une investigation, des éléments présentés par des sources officielles ou circulant sur les réseaux sociaux font émerger de possibles causes de la double explosion, entre négligence et soupçons de corruption.

Allan Kaval

Par ailleurs, depuis la catastrophe, le directeur des douanes libanaises, Badri Daher, s’exprime dans les médias du pays pour affirmer que ses services avaient mis en garde la justice à plusieurs reprises à partir de 2014 sur la dangerosité de la présence du stock. Réclamant une décision judiciaire censée forcer l’administration du port à organiser son déplacement, les douanes n’auraient cependant jamais reçu de réponse. Mardi, plusieurs copies de lettres portant des requêtes de cette nature et appuyant la défense de M. Daher ont été largement diffusées sur les réseaux sociaux et partagées sur les messageries en ligne. Ce dernier a confirmé au quotidien francophone L’Orient-Le Jour que la cargaison avait été stockée dans le hangar 12 du port, à proximité d’un entrepôt de feux d’artifices. La catastrophe aurait alors été déclenchée par des travaux de maintenance. Un malheureux soudeur aurait ainsi déclenché une réaction en chaîne qui s’est traduite par l’explosion massive de mardi.

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/08/06/apres-la-double-explosion-de-beyrouth-le-liban-a-la-recherche-des-responsables_6048250_3210.html

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BLOOMBERG

Bezos Sells $3.1 Billion of Amazon Shares After Wealth Jumps

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/amazon-ceo-bezos-sells-1-42-billion-of-shares-kdhuejv0 

 

Southeast Asia to See 310 Million Digital Consumers by End-2020

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-06/southeast-asia-to-see-310-million-digital-consumers-by-end-2020?srnd=technology-vp

 

TikTok to Spend $500 Million on First EU Data Center in Ireland

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/tiktok-to-spend-500-million-on-first-eu-data-center-in-ireland?srnd=technology-vp

 

Uber Buys Taxi-Software Company Autocab to Fill U.K. Market Gaps

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/uber-buys-taxi-software-company-autocab-to-fill-u-k-market-gaps?srnd=technology-vp

 

Facebook’s Instagram Launches TikTok Copycat in Political Storm

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/facebook-s-instagram-launches-tiktok-copycat-in-political-storm?srnd=technology-vp

 

Alibaba Boosts Investment in EV Maker Xpeng Before New York IPO

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-03/alibaba-boosts-investment-in-ev-maker-xpeng-before-new-york-ipo?srnd=technology-vp 

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THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Fortunes Won and Lost Trading in Kodak Stock: Inside a Wild Week

Sudden rise and fall offer warning for investors who ignore fundamentals and focus on a potential Covid-19 connection

https://www.wsj.com/articles/fortunes-won-and-lost-trading-in-kodak-stock-inside-a-wild-week-11596711606?mod=hp_lead_pos6

 

Nintendo’s Pandemic Bonanza: a Billion-Dollar Profit

‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ sold more than 10 million copies between April and June

https://www.wsj.com/articles/nintendos-pandemic-bonanza-a-billion-dollar-profit-11596715007?mod=hp_lista_pos3

 

Some Miners Undercount Deaths, Boosting Executive Bonuses

Transport deaths aren’t always counted, counter to industry guidelines, making safety records look better

https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-miners-undercount-deaths-boosting-executive-bonuses-11596706203?mod=business_lead_pos1

 

More Farmers Declare Bankruptcy Despite Record Levels of Federal Aid

Coronavirus pandemic adds strain to agricultural economy already reeling from trade fights, commodity glut

https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-farmers-declare-bankruptcy-despite-record-levels-of-federal-aid-11596706201?mod=business_lead_pos6

 

Facebook, Twitter Take Down Video of Trump Saying Children ‘Almost Immune’ From Covid-19

Action is first time Facebook has removed a post from the president for violating its coronavirus misinformation policy

https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-twitter-take-down-video-of-trump-saying-children-almost-immune-from-covid-19-11596674533?mod=tech_lead_pos1

 

Google Pixel 4a Review: Why Spend $1,000 When You Can Spend $349?

The Pixel 4a is a great value smartphone, with lots of premium photography tricks, but it isn’t the only deal in town 

 https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-pixel-4a-review-why-spend-1-000-when-you-can-spend-349-11596466800?mod=tech_lista_pos2

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PÁGINA 12

Ávaro Uribe dio positivo de coronavirus 

El expresidente colombiano Álvaro Uribe dio positivo de coronavirus, un día después de que la Corte Suprema de Justicia ordenara su detención preventiva domiciliaria en un juicio por fraude procesal y soborno. El hisopado confirmó el contagio 24 horas de haber comenzado su detención. 

https://www.pagina12.com.ar/283211-avaro-uribe-dio-positivo-de-coronavirus

 

Lula, más cerca de una candidatura presidencial

Desde Brasilia. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva obtuvo una victoria en el Supremo Tribunal Federal que allana el camino, aún lejano y lleno de imponderables, hacia su candidatura presidencial en 2022, la más temida por Jair Bolsonaro que ya esta en campaña con vistas a su reelección.

La Sala II del Supremo consideró que el ex juez Sergio Moro, responsable de la megacausa Lava Jato, fue parcial en el juzgamiento de Lula al divulgar en los medios una delación premiada pocos días antes de las elecciones de octubre de 2018 vencidas por Bolsonaro.

https://www.pagina12.com.ar/283276-lula-mas-cerca-de-una-candidatura-presidencial

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EL TIEMPO

¿Qué viene ahora para el Centro Democrático?

Uno de los principales efectos de la detención domiciliaria ordenada por la Corte Suprema de Justicia contra Álvaro Uribe Vélez se verá en el Centro Democrático. Desde su origen, cuando en 2014 el partido se instaló en la arena política posicionando 20 senadores en su primera participación en unas elecciones, la colectividad ha tenido como figura central al expresidente. (Lea también: ¿Por qué los partidos no le caminan a la Constituyente uribista?)

https://www.eltiempo.com/politica/gobierno/que-viene-ahora-para-el-centro-democratico-526434

 

Otra riña entre Pekín y Washington: EE.UU. enviará delegación a Taiwán

Estados Unidos enviará próximamente a Taiwán su delegación de más alto rango desde 1979, año en el que rompió con Taipéi y reconoció a China, un anuncio que provocó este miércoles la ira de Pekín.

https://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/eeuu-y-canada/estados-unidos-anuncia-envio-de-delegacion-diplomatica-a-taiwan-526158

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LA JORNADA

'Fuego amigo' en las entrañas del gobierno de la 4T

Ciudad de México. El titular de la Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat), Víctor Toledo, en un audio que circula en redes sociales, señaló que no podemos idealizar a la 4T, es un gobierno lleno de contradicciones brutal. No tiene objetivos claros, hay luchas de poder dentro de la administración y la visión a favor del ambiente, la agroecología y la transición energética no está para nada en el resto del gabinete, y me temo que tampoco está en la cabeza del Presidente.

https://www.jornada.com.mx/ultimas/politica/2020/08/06/fuego-amigo-en-las-entranas-del-gobierno-de-la-4t-7534.html

 

México pugna para que AL y el Caribe accedan a la vacuna: Ebrard

México busca acercar a los gobiernos de América Latina y el Caribe con las instituciones multilaterales líderes en la estrategia para el desarrollo y distribución de la vacuna contra el Covid-19, señaló el titular de la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE), Marcelo Ebrard.

https://www.jornada.com.mx/2020/08/06/politica/015n2pol

 

De visita en Líbano, Macron promete ayuda y pide reformas

Beirut. Decenas de personas siguen desaparecidas en Beirut tras las explosiones que causaron al menos 137 muertos y 5 mil heridos en la devastada capital libanesa, donde el presidente francés Emmanuel Macron pidió este jueves al gobierno "reformas indispensables" y un "nuevo pacto político" para evitar el "hundimiento" del país.

https://www.jornada.com.mx/ultimas/mundo/2020/08/06/macron-pide-reformas-a-libano-y-le-promete-ayuda-4357.html

Tipo de contenido geopolítica