Northern Ireland police charge nine members of the New IRA arrested last week for terrorism, conspiracy, and possession of explosives, among others. A tenth member remains in custody. (Reuters)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Laura heads toward the Gulf Coast of the United States. The storm is now over western Cuba after killing multiple people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The coasts of Texas and Louisiana prepare to receive Laura as a category 3 (or higher) hurricane. (CNN) More than 385,000 residents are told to flee the cities of Beaumont, Galveston and Port Arthur, in Texas saying as much as 13 feet (3.96 meters) of storm surge topped by waves could submerge entire communities. (AP)
Hurricane Laura heads toward the Gulf Coast of the United States. The storm is now over western Cuba after killing multiple people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The coasts of Texas and Louisiana prepare to receive Laura as a category 3 (or higher) hurricane. (CNN)
Iran–United States relations, Sanctions against Iran The United Nations formally rejects the United States's request to reimpose its sanctions against Iran via the "snapback" provision of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), citing the Security Council's opposition due to the country's withdrawal from the JCPoA in 2018. (AFP via The Straits Times)
The United Nations formally rejects the United States's request to reimpose its sanctions against Iran via the "snapback" provision of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), citing the Security Council's opposition due to the country's withdrawal from the JCPoA in 2018. (AFP via The Straits Times)
Somali Civil War The United States Africa Command announces that the U.S. carried out an airstrike on Monday that resulted in the deaths of six militants of the al-Shabaab jihadist group after they had attacked Somali forces during preceding days. It was carried out in Lower Shabelle, Somalia. Three other al-Shabaab militants were wounded. (AP via Al Arabiya)
The United States Africa Command announces that the U.S. carried out an airstrike on Monday that resulted in the deaths of six militants of the al-Shabaab jihadist group after they had attacked Somali forces during preceding days. It was carried out in Lower Shabelle, Somalia. Three other al-Shabaab militants were wounded. (AP via Al Arabiya)
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense reveals that a Barbaros-class frigate of the Turkish Navy and the TCG Burgazada have conducted joint military exercises with the USS Winston S. Churchill of the U.S. Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean, hours after Greece conducted similar exercises with France, Italy, and Cyprus in the disputed region. (AFP via WION)
Turkey–United States relations, Aegean dispute The Turkish Ministry of National Defense reveals that a Barbaros-class frigate of the Turkish Navy and the TCG Burgazada have conducted joint military exercises with the USS Winston S. Churchill of the U.S. Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean, hours after Greece conducted similar exercises with France, Italy, and Cyprus in the disputed region. (AFP via WION)
Rioting erupts in Malmö, Sweden, following a Quran book burning event by far-right Danish politician Rasmus Paludan in the city. Police say as many as 300 people gathered to protest the anti-Islam activities, which then became violent as protesters set fires and attacked police. (Reuters)
Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War The United States vetoes a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for "the prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration" of terrorists. Ambassador Kelly Craft attributes the veto to the resolution's exclusion of repatriating foreign fighters in the Syrian and Iraqi Civil Wars. (AP via Global News)
The United States vetoes a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for "the prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration" of terrorists. Ambassador Kelly Craft attributes the veto to the resolution's exclusion of repatriating foreign fighters in the Syrian and Iraqi Civil Wars. (AP via Global News)
Kang Kek Iew (better known as Comrade Duch), former Khmer Rouge leader and convicted war criminal, dies in a Phnom Penh hospital at age 77. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States Department of Defense says that the United States military will choose five treatment facilities to carry advanced testing phases for AstraZeneca and other vaccine trials. (UrduPoint)
The United States Department of Defense says that the United States military will choose five treatment facilities to carry advanced testing phases for AstraZeneca and other vaccine trials. (UrduPoint)
2020 California wildfires The El Dorado Fire grows to 800 acres (320 ha), prompting emergency evacuations in Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village, Yucaipa, and Forest Falls. (Fox News) (The Desert-Sun) The Pacific Gas and Electric Company warns customers that power could be shut off in some areas of California due to extreme weather and high winds. (The Mercury News)
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company warns customers that power could be shut off in some areas of California due to extreme weather and high winds. (The Mercury News)
Somali Civil War Three Somali special forces officers are killed and one U.S. officer seriously wounded when a car bomb explodes outside a special force base in an attack in the country's south, in a village some 60 km (around 40 miles) from the port city of Kismayo. Jihadist group al-Shabaab claims responsibility, saying it "killed U.S. personnel". (Reuters)
Three Somali special forces officers are killed and one U.S. officer seriously wounded when a car bomb explodes outside a special force base in an attack in the country's south, in a village some 60 km (around 40 miles) from the port city of Kismayo. Jihadist group al-Shabaab claims responsibility, saying it "killed U.S. personnel". (Reuters)
According to a report from Brown University's "Costs of War" project, over 37 million people have been displaced by the wars fought by the United States since the September 11 attacks. (The New York Times)
War on terror According to a report from Brown University's "Costs of War" project, over 37 million people have been displaced by the wars fought by the United States since the September 11 attacks. (The New York Times)
2020 Iraq attacks A bomb killed 3 police on the Diwaniyah-Babylon highway, Iraq. (National Iraqi News Agency)
Iraqi insurgency 2020 Iraq attacks A bomb killed 3 police on the Diwaniyah-Babylon highway, Iraq. (National Iraqi News Agency)
Second Libyan Civil War The United States embassy in Libya reports that the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, has committed itself to end months-long blockade of oil facilities, saying that "the LNA had conveyed personal commitment from General Haftar to allow the full reopening of the energy sector no later than September 12". (Reuters)
A Portuguese man is stabbed to death during a suspected jihadist attack in Morges, Switzerland. The victim was chosen at random, as the attacker entered a shop and stabbed him. The suspect had been known to the Federal Intelligence Service since 2017 for dissemination of jihadist propaganda and had been arrested in April 2019 following an arson attack. (Swissinfo)
Hurricane Sally Hurricane warnings are issued to multiple locations in Louisiana and Mississippi as Hurricane Sally approaches from the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). Flood watches are still in effect in Florida's west coast, including Tampa. (CNN)
Hurricane warnings are issued to multiple locations in Louisiana and Mississippi as Hurricane Sally approaches from the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). Flood watches are still in effect in Florida's west coast, including Tampa. (CNN)
Islamic terrorism in Europe A Portuguese man is stabbed to death during a suspected jihadist attack in Morges, Switzerland. The victim was chosen at random, as the attacker entered a shop and stabbed him. The suspect had been known to the Federal Intelligence Service since 2017 for dissemination of jihadist propaganda and had been arrested in April 2019 following an arson attack. (Swissinfo)
Second Libyan Civil War Protesters, some armed with guns, set ablaze a House of Representatives building in Benghazi, Libya. Protests against deteriorating living conditions and corruption continue in eastern Libya for a third consecutive day. (Reuters)
Second Libyan Civil War The Tobruk-based House of Representatives resigns amid violent protests in eastern Libya over deteriorating living conditions and corruption. A spokesman for Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who is the de facto leader of eastern Libya, says the administration supports peaceful protests but would not allow "terrorists and the Muslim Brotherhood" to hijack them. (BBC)
The Tobruk-based House of Representatives resigns amid violent protests in eastern Libya over deteriorating living conditions and corruption. A spokesman for Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who is the de facto leader of eastern Libya, says the administration supports peaceful protests but would not allow "terrorists and the Muslim Brotherhood" to hijack them. (BBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The Trump administration and federal officials from Operation Warp Speed unveil plans for distributing doses of a COVID-19 vaccine once the FDA approves their use. (CBS News)
The Trump administration and federal officials from Operation Warp Speed unveil plans for distributing doses of a COVID-19 vaccine once the FDA approves their use. (CBS News)
The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declares the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran as no longer in force. He also warns that the United States "is prepared to use our domestic authorities to impose consequences" for other countries that do not enforce the sanctions. Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia oppose the snapback sanctions. (The New York Times) (Al Jazeera)
United States sanctions against Iran The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declares the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran as no longer in force. He also warns that the United States "is prepared to use our domestic authorities to impose consequences" for other countries that do not enforce the sanctions. Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia oppose the snapback sanctions. (The New York Times) (Al Jazeera)
Terrorism in the United States The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) releases a statement that a screening facility for White House mail intercepted a package containing ricin poison that was addressed to Donald Trump earlier this week. The FBI and the Secret Service are investigating where the package came from and whether others have been sent through the postal service. (BBC News)
Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement, Bahrain–United States relations The United States embassy in Manama warns American citizens in Bahrain of the "need for caution", days after the gulf kingdom signed a U.S.-backed deal with Israel. (AFP via Barron's)
The United States embassy in Manama warns American citizens in Bahrain of the "need for caution", days after the gulf kingdom signed a U.S.-backed deal with Israel. (AFP via Barron's)
Religion in Russia Russian special forces, including Federal Security Service agents, arrest cult leader Vissarion, who claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, after storming several remote hamlets occupied by his followers in Krasnoyarsk Krai. Russian authorities say he will be charged with organizing an "illegal religious organisation", as well as subjecting his followers to extortion and emotional abuse. (The Guardian)
Russian special forces, including Federal Security Service agents, arrest cult leader Vissarion, who claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, after storming several remote hamlets occupied by his followers in Krasnoyarsk Krai. Russian authorities say he will be charged with organizing an "illegal religious organisation", as well as subjecting his followers to extortion and emotional abuse. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 vaccine Johnson & Johnson enters a Phase III clinical trial for its potential vaccine, becoming the fourth vaccine company backed by Operation Warp Speed to do so. The trial is expected to enroll up to 60,000 volunteers across 215 locations in the United States and other countries. (CNBC)
Johnson & Johnson enters a Phase III clinical trial for its potential vaccine, becoming the fourth vaccine company backed by Operation Warp Speed to do so. The trial is expected to enroll up to 60,000 volunteers across 215 locations in the United States and other countries. (CNBC)
Terrorism in Egypt Three Egyptian police officers and four convicted terrorists on death row are killed during a failed attempt to escape from Tora Prison in Cairo. (Reuters)
Three Egyptian police officers and four convicted terrorists on death row are killed during a failed attempt to escape from Tora Prison in Cairo. (Reuters)
Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism The Dominican Republic assumes the presidency of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE). (Dominican Today)
The Dominican Republic assumes the presidency of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE). (Dominican Today)
War in Afghanistan September 2020 Afghanistan attacks A suicide bomber in a vehicle detonated explosives in Helmand Province at a police checkpoint, killing five security force members and four civilians passing the area. Four other people are wounded. (TOLO News) Taliban insurgents kill a police officer and wound another two in Farang District, Baghlan Province. (TOLOnews) At least three police officers are killed and another three injured when the Taliban attacks Kohistan District, Badakhshan Province. Four Taliban militants are also killed and five others injured in the attack. (TOLOnews)
At least three police officers are killed and another three injured when the Taliban attacks Kohistan District, Badakhshan Province. Four Taliban militants are also killed and five others injured in the attack. (TOLOnews)
September 2020 Afghanistan attacks A suicide bomber in a vehicle detonated explosives in Helmand Province at a police checkpoint, killing five security force members and four civilians passing the area. Four other people are wounded. (TOLO News) Taliban insurgents kill a police officer and wound another two in Farang District, Baghlan Province. (TOLOnews) At least three police officers are killed and another three injured when the Taliban attacks Kohistan District, Badakhshan Province. Four Taliban militants are also killed and five others injured in the attack. (TOLOnews)
A suicide bomber in a vehicle detonated explosives in Helmand Province at a police checkpoint, killing five security force members and four civilians passing the area. Four other people are wounded. (TOLO News)
Turkey issues a statement dismissing the demands for a ceasefire from the United States, France, and Russia. (BBC News)
The European Council agrees on sanctions against Belarus. Opposition by Cyprus is lifted by also agreeing on a warning to Turkey. (Reuters) (The Washington Post)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Azerbaijani forces shell the Artsakh capital of Stepanakert, wounding ten civilians and partially destroying several buildings, including the Artsakh Rescue Service headquarters, according to Armenian officials. (Arab News) (Sputnik)
On the advice of his physician and "out of an abundance of caution", Trump is flown to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. (BBC News)
Nobel Prize The 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine is awarded to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton, and Charles M. Rice for their discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. (CNN)
The 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine is awarded to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton, and Charles M. Rice for their discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. (CNN)
Nobel Prize in Literature The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Louise Glück "for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal." (The Guardian)
The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Louise Glück "for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal." (The Guardian)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency October 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kills four Afghan soldiers and four police officers in Aliabad District, Kunduz Province. Five soldiers and two police are also injured in the attack. In Helmand Province, the Taliban kills at least three security forces and injures another three. (TOLOnews)
October 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kills four Afghan soldiers and four police officers in Aliabad District, Kunduz Province. Five soldiers and two police are also injured in the attack. In Helmand Province, the Taliban kills at least three security forces and injures another three. (TOLOnews)
Taliban insurgency October 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kills four Afghan soldiers and four police officers in Aliabad District, Kunduz Province. Five soldiers and two police are also injured in the attack. In Helmand Province, the Taliban kills at least three security forces and injures another three. (TOLOnews)
The Taliban kills four Afghan soldiers and four police officers in Aliabad District, Kunduz Province. Five soldiers and two police are also injured in the attack. In Helmand Province, the Taliban kills at least three security forces and injures another three. (TOLOnews)
Iran–United States relations, Iranian intervention in Iraq Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, announces that they have agreed to ceasefire operations against United States interests in Iraq. (Washington Post)
Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, announces that they have agreed to ceasefire operations against United States interests in Iraq. (Washington Post)
Yemeni Civil War The Trump administration announces that they have secured the release of Mikael Gidada and Sandra Loli, two Americans that have been held hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen for 16 months. (The New York Times) A Houthi spokesman says 240 of their fighters have been released. In September, the United Nations announced a swap of "1081 conflict-related prisoners". (AP via Star Tribune)
The Trump administration announces that they have secured the release of Mikael Gidada and Sandra Loli, two Americans that have been held hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen for 16 months. (The New York Times)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Azerbaijan says three people have been killed and three others injured after a funeral procession in Tartar District was shelled by Armenian forces, while the Armenian prosecutor-general's office says two soldiers were killed in a drone strike in Vardenis; the soldiers were not involved in military action. (Middle East Monitor)
Azerbaijan says three people have been killed and three others injured after a funeral procession in Tartar District was shelled by Armenian forces, while the Armenian prosecutor-general's office says two soldiers were killed in a drone strike in Vardenis; the soldiers were not involved in military action. (Middle East Monitor)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot Police announce the arrest of a fourteenth suspect in relation to a foiled kidnapping plot targeting Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He has been charged at the state level with material support of an act of terrorism. (Detroit Free Press)
Police announce the arrest of a fourteenth suspect in relation to a foiled kidnapping plot targeting Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He has been charged at the state level with material support of an act of terrorism. (Detroit Free Press)
War in Afghanistan Afghan peace process The Taliban says that it plans to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan if the United States promises to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement signed in February. (San Francisco Chronicle) Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien says that the Trump administration plans to lower the troop level in Afghanistan by early 2021. (CNBC)
Afghan peace process The Taliban says that it plans to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan if the United States promises to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement signed in February. (San Francisco Chronicle)
The Taliban says that it plans to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan if the United States promises to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement signed in February. (San Francisco Chronicle)
National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien says that the Trump administration plans to lower the troop level in Afghanistan by early 2021. (CNBC)
End SARS The Nigerian Army announces a cyber warfare operation as protests against police brutality in the country continue. (Premium Times)
