COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Miami-Dade County is expected to mandate masks as it deals with surging cases. (Miami Herald)
Fox News fires America's Newsroom anchor Ed Henry following allegations of sexual misconduct by a former employee. (CNN)
Police in Hong Kong arrest over 300 people on the previously banned 1 July march and after the passing of the new national security law. The new law punishes crimes considered as subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. It also allows extradition to the Mainland for trial. (Reuters)
Weinstein effect, Fox News controversies Fox News fires America's Newsroom anchor Ed Henry following allegations of sexual misconduct by a former employee. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas Governor Greg Abbott orders citizens must wear face coverings when in public. This follows yesterday's reported state record daily high of more than 8,000 virus cases. Those who do not comply will receive an initial warning; those who refuse will face a fine of up to $250. (BBC News)
In a case to decide who controls a $2 billion worth of gold from the Central Bank of Venezuela stored in the Bank of England, the High Court of Justice in London rules that the United Kingdom "unequivocally recognises Mr. Guaidó as President of Venezuela", refusing to give Nicolás Maduro access to the gold. (Reuters) (BBC News)
In a Europe-wide operation, police penetrate EncroChat, a top-secret communications system used by criminals to sell drugs and plan attacks. (BBC News)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott orders citizens must wear face coverings when in public. This follows yesterday's reported state record daily high of more than 8,000 virus cases. Those who do not comply will receive an initial warning; those who refuse will face a fine of up to $250. (BBC News)
United Kingdom–Venezuela relations In a case to decide who controls a $2 billion worth of gold from the Central Bank of Venezuela stored in the Bank of England, the High Court of Justice in London rules that the United Kingdom "unequivocally recognises Mr. Guaidó as President of Venezuela", refusing to give Nicolás Maduro access to the gold. (Reuters) (BBC News)
United States District Judge James E. Boasberg issues a warrant for the seizure of the more than 1.1 million barrels of gasoline in the four Iranian tankers en route to Venezuela. (Middle East Monitor)
United States–Venezuela relations, Iran–United States relations United States District Judge James E. Boasberg issues a warrant for the seizure of the more than 1.1 million barrels of gasoline in the four Iranian tankers en route to Venezuela. (Middle East Monitor)
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, former girlfriend of American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on suspicion of grooming victims of Epstein. She has also been charged with assisting Epstein's abuse of minors by helping to recruit and groom victims known to be underage. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issues an executive order mandating citizens wear facemasks in public and at their workplace. (AP via United States News & World Report)
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issues an executive order mandating citizens wear facemasks in public and at their workplace. (AP via United States News & World Report)
Mexican Drug War Mexican Army troops kill 12 drug cartel gunmen in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. In separate incidents, police kill five attackers in Torreón, Coahuila, and five police officers are shot dead in Guanajuato. (ABC News)
At least eight police officers are killed and five others injured in Uttar Pradesh, India, in an ambush as they were attempting to arrest a suspect for murder. The attack was carried out by several gunmen, two of whom were later killed by other officers. (Al Jazeera)
Mexican Army troops kill 12 drug cartel gunmen in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. In separate incidents, police kill five attackers in Torreón, Coahuila, and five police officers are shot dead in Guanajuato. (ABC News)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signs the Anti-Terrorism Act into law, repealing the Human Security Act signed in 2007. (The New York Times) (Al Jazeera)
2019–20 Hong Kong protests China appoints Zheng Yanxiong to head up the newly formed Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR; Yanxiong is best known for his suppression of protests in Wukan in 2011. (BBC News)
An investigation led by the Federal University of Santa Catarina uncovers traces of SARS-CoV-2 in Florianópolis sewage samples drawn on November 27, 2019, two months earlier than the first official confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Americas on January 21, 2020, and much earlier than the first reported case in Brazil at the end of February. (CGTN) (Web24)
China appoints Zheng Yanxiong to head up the newly formed Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR; Yanxiong is best known for his suppression of protests in Wukan in 2011. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil An investigation led by the Federal University of Santa Catarina uncovers traces of SARS-CoV-2 in Florianópolis sewage samples drawn on November 27, 2019, two months earlier than the first official confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Americas on January 21, 2020, and much earlier than the first reported case in Brazil at the end of February. (CGTN) (Web24)
Libya–Russia relations Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov announces that Russia will re-open its embassy in Libya. (Reuters via US News and World Report)
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov announces that Russia will re-open its embassy in Libya. (Reuters via US News and World Report)
The Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians are reviewing their names in response to the ongoing George Floyd protests. (NPR)
North Korea–United States relations North Korean First Vice-Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui says her country has "no interest" in a face-to-face meeting with the United States unless the U.S. discards its "hostile" policies toward North Korea. (Al Jazeera)
North Korean First Vice-Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui says her country has "no interest" in a face-to-face meeting with the United States unless the U.S. discards its "hostile" policies toward North Korea. (Al Jazeera)
President Donald Trump announces the building of National Garden of American Heroes through executive order, which will consist of statues of notable American political figures, activists, businesspeople, and pop culture icons. (CBS News)
Donald Trump signs an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program to extend the filing deadline to August 8. (AP via NBC)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Pubs and barbershops are allowed to re-open in England for the first time since March. (NBC) Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Donald Trump signs an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program to extend the filing deadline to August 8. (AP via NBC)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Donald Trump signs an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program to extend the filing deadline to August 8. (AP via NBC)
Phoenix, Arizona police officers threaten, shoot and kill a man inside a parked car in an incident captured on bystander video, sparking protests in the city. Police say he pointed a gun at them first. (CNN)
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea, China–United States relations The USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Reagan participate in dual-carrier operations and exercises in the disputed South China Sea. (Reuters via NBC)
2020 Dominican Republic general election After having been postponed once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, general elections are held in the Dominican Republic. The electorate can vote for the new members of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies as well as the country's next president. (BBC News) Conservative candidate and opposition leader Luis Abinader is proclaimed the winner, ending 16 years of centre-left rule. (BBC News)
After having been postponed once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, general elections are held in the Dominican Republic. The electorate can vote for the new members of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies as well as the country's next president. (BBC News)
A Katyusha rocket falls in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq, injuring a child and damaging a house. Iraqi security forces also thwart another rocket launched at Camp Taji, which houses U.S. troops. Also, a MIM-104 Patriot defense system shoots down a missile launched against the U.S. embassy. (Al Arabiya)
American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) A Katyusha rocket falls in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq, injuring a child and damaging a house. Iraqi security forces also thwart another rocket launched at Camp Taji, which houses U.S. troops. Also, a MIM-104 Patriot defense system shoots down a missile launched against the U.S. embassy. (Al Arabiya)
Somali Civil War A local politician is abducted and killed by Al-Shabaab militants in Bal'ad, Middle Shabelle, Somalia. (Voice of America)
A local politician is abducted and killed by Al-Shabaab militants in Bal'ad, Middle Shabelle, Somalia. (Voice of America)
An Arizona woman in Scottsdale is arrested at Target after pulling face masks off the displays. (popculture.com) (New York Daily News)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan reports no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 17. (MLive.com) COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education reports the highest daily death toll to date from COVID-19, recording 163 deaths. Iran's cases reach 240,438 while the deaths jump to 11,571. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States An Arizona woman in Scottsdale is arrested at Target after pulling face masks off the displays. (popculture.com) (New York Daily News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan reports no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 17. (MLive.com)
The incidents were part of a violent Independence Day weekend across in the United States which left 160 people dead and over 500 more wounded in shootings. (The Guardian)
2020 Brazilian municipal elections; COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil The Brazilian Congress and Superior Electoral Court announce the postponement of this year's municipal elections to November 15 (first round) and 29 (second round) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Folha de S. Paulo)
Former Prime Minister of Mongolia Jargaltulgyn Erdenebat is sentenced to six years in prison and banned from government work for six years from working in government office accused of abuse of power. (News.mn)
Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 Two lawyer groups file petitions to the Philippine Supreme Court to question the constitutionality of the recent anti-terrorism law. Opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman, who contributed to one of the petitions, claims that the law's "imprecise and vague definitions" make its enforcement susceptible to infringements on certain civil liberties. (Al Jazeera)
The Brazilian Congress and Superior Electoral Court announce the postponement of this year's municipal elections to November 15 (first round) and 29 (second round) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Folha de S. Paulo)
Two lawyer groups file petitions to the Philippine Supreme Court to question the constitutionality of the recent anti-terrorism law. Opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman, who contributed to one of the petitions, claims that the law's "imprecise and vague definitions" make its enforcement susceptible to infringements on certain civil liberties. (Al Jazeera)
A court in Hong Kong denies bail to Tong Ying-kit, a 23-year-old man who was arrested last week for driving a motorbike into police officers and carrying a separatist banner. Also, prominent pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow appear in court. Wong pleads not guilty to inciting others to participate in an unlawful assembly last year while Chow pleads guilty to similar charges. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms tests positive for COVID-19. (CNN) COVID-19 pandemic in West Virginia West Virginia Governor Jim Justice issues an order mandating masks in indoor public spaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in West Virginia West Virginia Governor Jim Justice issues an order mandating masks in indoor public spaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (NBC News)
Hong Kong national security law A court in Hong Kong denies bail to Tong Ying-kit, a 23-year-old man who was arrested last week for driving a motorbike into police officers and carrying a separatist banner. Also, prominent pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow appear in court. Wong pleads not guilty to inciting others to participate in an unlawful assembly last year while Chow pleads guilty to similar charges. (Reuters)
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice issues an order mandating masks in indoor public spaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner resigns over the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner resigns over the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Thousands of people protest outside the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the capital Belgrade, in response to President Aleksandar Vučić's plan on introducing stricter lockdown measures in Belgrade, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city. A small group of protesters storm the building after pushing through a police cordon. (Reuters)
Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner resigns over the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Thousands of people protest outside the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the capital Belgrade, in response to President Aleksandar Vučić's plan on introducing stricter lockdown measures in Belgrade, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city. A small group of protesters storm the building after pushing through a police cordon. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Sinovac Biotech is starting Phase III trials of its potential COVID-19 vaccine following a fast-track approval for the trials by Brazilian regulators last week. The study, done in partnership with Brazilian vaccine producer Instituto Butantan, will recruit nearly 9,000 healthcare professionals working in COVID-19-specialized facilities and start this month. (Al Jazeera) President Jair Bolsonaro tests positive for COVID-19. (The Guardian) COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (Cooperativa)
Thousands of people protest outside the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the capital Belgrade, in response to President Aleksandar Vučić's plan on introducing stricter lockdown measures in Belgrade, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city. A small group of protesters storm the building after pushing through a police cordon. (Reuters)
Assassination of Qasem Soleimani United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnès Callamard concludes, in a report to be presented at the United Nations Human Rights Council, that the killing of Qasem Soleimani in January by the United States was "unlawful". Callamard says that based on U.S. evidence, the killing was "arbitrary" and "violated the UN charter". (Al Jazeera)
Contact tracing is no longer possible across the Southern United States due to rapid COVID-19 surges in the region. (Fox8) (Fox10)
COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas surpasses 200,000 cases of COVID-19. (USA Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut Connecticut reports zero deaths for the first time in four months. (The Hill) COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas surpasses 200,000 cases of COVID-19. (USA Today) The United States has averaged just under 50,000 new cases daily over the last week, twice as high as a month ago. (CNN) Contact tracing is no longer possible across the Southern United States due to rapid COVID-19 surges in the region. (Fox8) (Fox10)
The United States has averaged just under 50,000 new cases daily over the last week, twice as high as a month ago. (CNN)
The United States officially declares its intent to withdraw from the World Health Organization in 2021. (The Guardian)
United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnès Callamard concludes, in a report to be presented at the United Nations Human Rights Council, that the killing of Qasem Soleimani in January by the United States was "unlawful". Callamard says that based on U.S. evidence, the killing was "arbitrary" and "violated the UN charter". (Al Jazeera)
Ivory Coast's Prime Minister and candidate for the presidential election Amadou Gon Coulibaly dies in office after falling ill at a ministerial meeting. He had recently returned from France after undergoing treatment for heart problems. (BBC News)
Politics of Ivory Coast Ivory Coast's Prime Minister and candidate for the presidential election Amadou Gon Coulibaly dies in office after falling ill at a ministerial meeting. He had recently returned from France after undergoing treatment for heart problems. (BBC News)
In a 7–2 decision on Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania, the United States Supreme Court upholds regulations that allow employers with religious or moral objections to decline to provide contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act. (The New York Times) (The Washington Post)
Mexico–United States relations, Canada–United States relations U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a meeting at the White House with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to discuss the new United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declines to attend. (The Washington Post)
The Supreme Court of the United States rules in favor of the Little Sisters of the Poor. The victory at the court comes after nine years of their legal fight against the Obama-era “contraception mandate”. (Catholic News Agency)
American actress Naya Rivera is declared missing at Lake Piru in the Los Padres National Forest of Ventura County, California, after she reportedly rented a boat and swam in the lake with her four-year-old son. Rivera's son was found on the boat unharmed, while the Ventura County Sheriff's Office have initiated a search and rescue operation for the actress. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States surpasses three million cases of COVID-19 and sets a daily record of 62,021 new cases. (USA Today) (USA Today2) COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Romania surpasses 30,000 cases of COVID-19 and sets a daily record of 555 new cases. (Romania Insider)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States surpasses three million cases of COVID-19 and sets a daily record of 62,021 new cases. (USA Today) (USA Today2)
