World economic outlook says 2020 impact is less than thought but there will be deep scars
The International Monetary Fund has scaled back its estimate of the hit to the global economy from Covid-19 this year but warned that the final bill for the pandemic would total $28tn (£21.5tn) in lost output.
Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s economic counsellor, described coronavirus as the worst crisis since the Great Depression, and said the pandemic would leave deep and enduring scars caused by job losses, weaker investment and children being deprived of education.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iran fears spillover from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Assad makes rare visit to areas hit by fires in west Syria.
Lebanese expect the worst as poverty surges.
Jordan king swears in new gov’t headed by PM Bisher al-Khaswaneh.
Palestinian Authority PM: Trump has 'wasted 4 years of everyone's time'.
East Med crisis: US demands Turkey end ‘calculated provocation’.
Saudi Arabia fails to join UN human rights council but Russia and China elected.
ASIA
Afghan-Taliban conflict: Families flee fresh fighting in Helmand.
U.S. airstrikes hit Taliban in Afghanistan despite peace talks.
US plans to sell more drones, missiles to Taiwan: Report.
Beijing urges Asian nations to unite against Washington’s ‘old-fashioned cold war mentality’.
China accuses US of ‘stirring up confrontation’ in Asia-Pacific.
China's trade recovery surpasses expectations amid pandemic.
Xi Jinping to tighten grip on power with new rules for top policymaking bodies.
Kyrgyz president to ask parliament to vote again on PM.
Parliament in Kyrgyzstan endorses state of emergency.
India sees fewest new coronavirus cases in nearly two months.
North Korea calls for greater toil ahead of Eighth Party Congress.
AFRICA
Guinea opposition condemns 90 protest deaths ahead of polls.
Tunisia closes eEntries to riot-ridden city of Sbeitla as clashes continue - Reports.
UN urges Libyan rivals to prioritise ‘national interest’ in talks.
Sudan’s PM sacks Kassala governor after unrest, port blockade.
Thousands of Nigerians demand police overhaul for sixth day.
Kenya's fight against poaching pays off as elephant population doubles.
EUROPE
Europe reports record-high 700,000 COVID-19 cases last week, WHO says.
Coronavirus: Restrictions tighten as Europe battles second wave.
More masks, less play: Europe tightens rules as virus surges.
Belarus opposition gives president an ultimatum: resign or face nationwide strike.
EU foreign ministers agree to sanction Russia.
Russian FM Lavrov says Moscow may stop dialogue with EU if Bloc doesn't respect Russia.
EU wants to keep communication channels with Russia open.
Norway says Russia behind cyber attack against its Parliament.
Germany, France call for UK concessions in EU-UK trade talks.
Cyprus to suspend 'EU golden passports' scheme.
World's biggest Arctic mission reports 'the Arctic Ocean is dying'.
AMERICAS
Trump, Biden zero in on swing states that are key to victory.
Barrett bats away tough Democratic confirmation probing.
McConnell sets Senate vote on coronavirus aid, Pelosi spurns White House bid.
'US hunkers down': The fall Covid-19 surge is here.
Brazil registers 10,220 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.
Trudeau slams China on human rights, 'coercive diplomacy'.
TERRORSIM/THE LONG WAR
Al Qaida only capable of small-scale regional attacks: Top US official.
Swedish female ISIS supporters may be tried in Syria for terrorism offences.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks end lower as Wall Street pauses after a 4-day rally.
Second Covid-19 trial paused within 24 hours over safety concerns.
Global economy in deep recession, but outlook not as grim as feared, says IMF.
IMF revises its global GDP forecast higher, but warns the economy ‘remains prone to setbacks’.
IMF warns of rich-poor recovery gap between and within countries.
Facebook is banning anti-vaccination ads.
