Iran's coronavirus death toll rises above 22,000 – health ministry

DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s death toll from the novel coronavirus rose by 118 to 22,044 health ministry spokeswoman told state TV on Friday, with the total number of identified cases spiking to 382,772

Sima Sadat Lari said that 2,026 new cases were identified in the last 24 hours in Iran, one of the worst-hit countries in the Middle East.

While some parents worry about the risk of spreading COVID-19, Iranian authorities said schools would be open on Saturday under strict health protocols allowing them to operate safely.

More stimulus probably needed, Bank of England's Saunders says

LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) – Bank of England interest rate-setter Michael Saunders said on Friday that it was “quite likely” that more stimulus will be needed for Britain’s COVID-hit economy.

“I consider it quite likely that additional monetary easing will be appropriate in order to achieve a sustained return of inflation to the 2% target,” Saunders said in a speech. (Reporting by Andy Bruce Editing by William Schomberg)

Indonesia sees over 3,000 new coronavirus cases for 3rd straight day

JAKARTA (REUTERS) – Indonesia reported 3,269 new coronavirus infections on Friday (Sept 4), bringing the overall tally to 187,537, according to data from the country’s health ministry.

It was the third consecutive day of new infections above 3,000 and followed Thursday’s record-high of 3,622 new cases.

Indonesia also reported 82 new deaths on Friday, raising its total fatalities to 7,832, South-east Asia’s highest number.

Jobs Day in U.S. and Canada, Currency War, ECB Preview: Eco Day

Welcome to Friday, Americas. Here’s the latest news and analysis from Bloomberg Economics to help you start the day:

• It’s U.S. jobs day — here’s what to expect and how to read the data
  • The U.S. is in crisis: A closer look at how income inequality, partisanship, health disparities, the recession, racism and climate change are affecting the country

  Russia's potential coronavirus vaccine shows 'no serious adverse events' and creates antibody response: The Lancet

  Early results from Russia's coronavirus vaccine show no negative side effects, a study published in peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet revealed Friday.

  "Preliminary results from Russian trials find that #COVID19 vaccine candidates led to no serious adverse events and elicit antibody response," a tweet from the journal's Twitter account read. 

  This is a developing news story and will be updated shortly.

  Starbucks Encouraging Employees, Customers To Vote

  Starbucks is joining with Walmart and other companies in supporting employees making a plan to vote, pledging no employee will have to choose between their shift and election day.

  The coffee giant’s CEO Kevin Johnson unveiled the company’s plan to support partners and customers to register to vote.

  In a letter to partners, Johnson wrote, “The upcoming election is a reminder that we, as citizens, play an active role in our society by simply getting involved and voting. Who you vote for is a very personal decision that you make as a citizen. It is one way for you to be heard. It is how democracy works.”

  As part of its plan, Starbucks urged its nearly 200,000 partners to talk with managers to help ensure they have the tools and the time necessary to register and cast their vote.

  The company further suggests that through a partnership with Civic Alliance, partners can volunteer with their local election authority as non-partisan poll workers.

  In September, the company through the Starbucks App will provide resources and information on how and where customers can to register to vote.

  The company said it is taking these steps to promote equity, justice and community resiliency.

  As per reports, Walmart and Apple will give few hours off to their workers to vote, while some other companies including Coca-Cola, Twitter, Cisco and Uber are planning to give employees the day off.

  Trump Ripped On Twitter After Reportedly Calling War Dead ‘Losers’ And ‘Suckers’

  President Donald Trump reportedly dismissed U.S. troops killed in action as “losers” and “suckers,” and even refused to visit a military cemetery to honor the war dead as a result. 

  Trump has denied the bombshell report in The Atlantic, which was published on Thursday and later confirmed by The Associated Press.

  The magazine reported that during a 2018 trip to France, Trump canceled a planned visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, where U.S. war dead from WWI are buried. At the time, he blamed rain; The Atlantic said there was another reason:

  “In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, ‘Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.’ In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as ‘suckers’ for getting killed.”

  Trump also had especially harsh words for the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who in a separate incident he called a “fucking loser.” McCain was captured, imprisoned and tortured for five years during the Vietnam War.

  Critics tore into Trump on Twitter over the story: