Daily News Brief for Tuesday, August 4:

*) WHO: There may never be a 'silver bullet' to defeat coronavirus

The World Health Organization is warning there is no "silver bullet" for the coronavirus crisis despite the rush to find a vaccine.

There are more than 18.4 million confirmed infections around the world and close to 700,000 people have died.

Renewed case surges and fresh clusters are being reported just as countries are starting to lift restrictions and rebuild their economies.

*) Israel strikes Syrian military bases in Quneitra

Israel's military says it has struck several military outposts of the Syrian regime forces near the capital Damascus.

This comes a day after Israel said it killed four men for planting explosives near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Tensions have been high between Damascus and Tel Aviv after an apparent Israeli strike killed a Hezbollah fighter in Syria two weeks ago.

*) UN: North Korea 'probably' has miniature nuclear warheads

A confidential UN report says North Korea has “probably” developed nuclear devices to fit ballistic missiles.

The interim report was submitted to the UN Security Council North Korea sanctions committee by independent experts monitoring UN sanctions.

It said several countries believe North Korea's recent nuclear tests have likely helped it develop tiny miniaturised nuclear devices.

*) Pompeo aides subpoenaed over probe into Saudi arms deal

Four former aides to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have been subpoenaed for obstructing the probe into an $8 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

The aides are accused of resisting interviews with a US State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, who was investigating arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2019.

Democratic lawmakers say Pompeo wanted Linick out of the State Department.

And finally,

*) Google unveils cheaper Pixel smartphone as virus curbs spending

Google has unveiled a new, more affordable Pixel 4a smartphone

At a starting price of $349, the Pixel 4a is about half that of the flagship model and a $50 discount from a cheaper version released last year.

Google also said it would launch models tailored for super-fast 5G networks later this year.