USA 2020 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Aug
01
Health / Disasters

Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic A demonstration against coronavirus restrictions attended by thousands of people in Berlin, Germany, is termina

Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic A demonstration against coronavirus restrictions attended by thousands of people in Berlin, Germany, is terminated by police over "non-respect of hygiene rules". Police say they launched legal action against the organisers. (Al Jazeera)

Aug
02
Politics / Government

Syrian civil war The Syrian government condemns a deal signed between Delta Crescent Energy, a U.S.

Syrian civil war The Syrian government condemns a deal signed between Delta Crescent Energy, a U.S. oil firm and Kurdish rebels of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to manage the Kurdish-controlled northeastern oil fields. The statement says the deal is "stealing" Syrian crude. On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. is supportive of the deal. (Reuters) (Oil Price)

Aug
02
War / Conflict / Security

A tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), Isaias is less than a mile off the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Florida's Atlantic Co

A tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), Isaias is less than a mile off the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Florida's Atlantic Coast, moving north-northwest at about 8 mph (13 km/h). Tropical storm warnings have been issued as far north as Surf City, North Carolina. (Orlando Sentinel) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
02
Politics / Government

The Syrian government condemns a deal signed between Delta Crescent Energy, a U.S.

The Syrian government condemns a deal signed between Delta Crescent Energy, a U.S. oil firm and Kurdish rebels of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to manage the Kurdish-controlled northeastern oil fields. The statement says the deal is "stealing" Syrian crude. On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. is supportive of the deal. (Reuters) (Oil Price)

Aug
03
Politics / Government

Two anonymous sources confirm to Reuters that the classified United Kingdom–United States trade documents leaked ahead of the UK parliamentary election last yea

Two anonymous sources confirm to Reuters that the classified United Kingdom–United States trade documents leaked ahead of the UK parliamentary election last year was caused by Russian hacking of the email account of former UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox. They declined to name which Russian group or organisation they believed was responsible, but said the attack bore the hallmarks of a government-backed operation. (Reuters)

Aug
03
Politics / Government

2020 United States presidential election Postal voting in the United States President Donald Trump vows to sue Nevada over legislation signed by Governor Steve

2020 United States presidential election Postal voting in the United States President Donald Trump vows to sue Nevada over legislation signed by Governor Steve Sisolak that, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, requires election officials to send all active, registered voters a mail-in ballot ahead of the November election. This also would apply to any others that happen in the wake of a statewide emergency or disaster directive. (Reuters) (AP via ABC News) Donald Trump says he has the right to issue an executive order on mail-in voting but has not done so yet. (Reuters)

Aug
03
Politics / Government

Postal voting in the United States President Donald Trump vows to sue Nevada over legislation signed by Governor Steve Sisolak that, amid the COVID-19 pandemic,

Postal voting in the United States President Donald Trump vows to sue Nevada over legislation signed by Governor Steve Sisolak that, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, requires election officials to send all active, registered voters a mail-in ballot ahead of the November election. This also would apply to any others that happen in the wake of a statewide emergency or disaster directive. (Reuters) (AP via ABC News) Donald Trump says he has the right to issue an executive order on mail-in voting but has not done so yet. (Reuters)

Aug
03
Politics / Government

President Donald Trump vows to sue Nevada over legislation signed by Governor Steve Sisolak that, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, requires election officials to sen

President Donald Trump vows to sue Nevada over legislation signed by Governor Steve Sisolak that, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, requires election officials to send all active, registered voters a mail-in ballot ahead of the November election. This also would apply to any others that happen in the wake of a statewide emergency or disaster directive. (Reuters) (AP via ABC News)

Aug
03
War / Conflict / Security

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitat

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
03
War / Conflict / Security

Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power out

Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
03
War / Conflict / Security

Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Fl

Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
03
Immigration / Law / Policy

Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian Civil War, Israeli involvement in the Syrian Civil War Israeli Air Force helicopters strike Syrian mil

Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian Civil War, Israeli involvement in the Syrian Civil War Israeli Air Force helicopters strike Syrian military observation posts, intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft batteries and command-and-control bases in Quneitra Governorate, in response to yesterday's incident along the Purple Line border fence in the Golan Heights, in which four militants were killed after attempting to plant an IED where Israeli soldiers patrol. (Reuters)

Aug
03
War / Conflict / Security

Authorities announce the arrest of a 48-year-old man two days earlier in San Antonio, Texas, US, for threatening to commit a mass shooting at Fort Hood in retal

Authorities announce the arrest of a 48-year-old man two days earlier in San Antonio, Texas, US, for threatening to commit a mass shooting at Fort Hood in retaliation for the killing of Vanessa Guillén there in April. He is being charged with making terroristic threats. (San Antonio Express-News)

Aug
03
Immigration / Law / Policy

Israeli Air Force helicopters strike Syrian military observation posts, intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft batteries and command-and-control bases i

Israeli Air Force helicopters strike Syrian military observation posts, intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft batteries and command-and-control bases in Quneitra Governorate, in response to yesterday's incident along the Purple Line border fence in the Golan Heights, in which four militants were killed after attempting to plant an IED where Israeli soldiers patrol. (Reuters)

Aug
03
Major Trends

Monarchy of Spain, Corruption in Spain The Spanish Royal Household announces that Emeritus King Juan Carlos I has informed King Felipe VI that he is leaving the

Monarchy of Spain, Corruption in Spain The Spanish Royal Household announces that Emeritus King Juan Carlos I has informed King Felipe VI that he is leaving the country motivated by "the public repercussion that certain past events are generating". His finances are being judicially investigated by a Swiss judge and the Spanish Prosecutor's Office for alleged financial dealings from Haramain high-speed railway construction and his accounts in tax havens. (El Mundo) (The Washington Post) (BBC News)

Aug
03
Major Trends

The Spanish Royal Household announces that Emeritus King Juan Carlos I has informed King Felipe VI that he is leaving the country motivated by "the public reper

The Spanish Royal Household announces that Emeritus King Juan Carlos I has informed King Felipe VI that he is leaving the country motivated by "the public repercussion that certain past events are generating". His finances are being judicially investigated by a Swiss judge and the Spanish Prosecutor's Office for alleged financial dealings from Haramain high-speed railway construction and his accounts in tax havens. (El Mundo) (The Washington Post) (BBC News)

Aug
04
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines posts a single-day Southeast Asian record, with 6,352 new COVID-19 cases reported in the

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines posts a single-day Southeast Asian record, with 6,352 new COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours, as well as 11 deaths. More than 66,000 people have recovered. (The Straits Times) (Manila Bulletin) COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reports a single-day record of 680 new cases in the last 24 hours, as well as six deaths. More than a third are in the southern Silesia region, largely amongst coal miners. (Voice of America)

Aug
04
Major Trends

Searchers have located the United States Marine Corps Assault Amphibious Vehicle that sank near San Clemente Island, off the coast of Southern California, on 30

Searchers have located the United States Marine Corps Assault Amphibious Vehicle that sank near San Clemente Island, off the coast of Southern California, on 30 July 2020. Eight Marines and one sailor of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, San Diego County died in the "ship-to-shore" training exercise. Recovery efforts will begin by the end of the week. (NBC San Diego)

Aug
05
Politics / Government

2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election Sri Lanka holds parliamentary elections after the parliament was dissolved by president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in March.

2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election Sri Lanka holds parliamentary elections after the parliament was dissolved by president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in March. Originally scheduled to be held in April, the election was postponed twice due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (The Guardian)

Aug
05
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Queensland declares all of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory to be COVID-19 hotspots and will close its border wit

COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Queensland declares all of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory to be COVID-19 hotspots and will close its border with both regions on Saturday August 8 at 1 a.m. (AEST). (9 News) Victoria reports 725 new COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths in the last 24 hours. It is the highest number of reported cases and the deadliest day since the pandemic started in the state itself and Australia in general. (The Age)

Aug
05
Health / Disasters

Taiwan–United States relations, China–United States relations United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar travels to Taiwan for a multi-day o

Taiwan–United States relations, China–United States relations United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar travels to Taiwan for a multi-day official visit. He is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the country in 40 years after the U.S. stopped recognising Taiwan in 1979 and has had unofficial ties since then. The PRC, which claims Taiwan as a breakaway province, condemns the visit. (Reuters)

Aug
05
Health / Disasters

United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar travels to Taiwan for a multi-day official visit.

United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar travels to Taiwan for a multi-day official visit. He is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the country in 40 years after the U.S. stopped recognising Taiwan in 1979 and has had unofficial ties since then. The PRC, which claims Taiwan as a breakaway province, condemns the visit. (Reuters)

Aug
06
Politics / Government

Belarus–United States relations, 2020 Belarusian presidential election Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says security forces have arrested "a number of

Belarus–United States relations, 2020 Belarusian presidential election Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says security forces have arrested "a number of" U.S. citizens, just days before the country goes to the polls for a presidential election. In the speech, Lukashenko claims Belarus is the victim of a "hybrid war", and that "we should expect dirty tricks from any side". (Reuters)

Aug
06
Politics / Government

China–United States trade war Invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, U.S.

China–United States trade war Invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, U.S. President Donald Trump issues several executive orders barring firms and American citizens from trading and doing financial transactions with Chinese technology companies ByteDance and Tencent, effectively banning their respective apps TikTok and WeChat within the United States. The orders are set to go into effect in 45 days. (Reuters)

Aug
06
Politics / Government

Invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, U.S.

Invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, U.S. President Donald Trump issues several executive orders barring firms and American citizens from trading and doing financial transactions with Chinese technology companies ByteDance and Tencent, effectively banning their respective apps TikTok and WeChat within the United States. The orders are set to go into effect in 45 days. (Reuters)

Aug
06
Immigration / Law / Policy

A court in China sentences a Canadian man to death on drug charges.

A court in China sentences a Canadian man to death on drug charges. His alleged accomplice receives life imprisonment. Police had confiscated 120 kilograms (266 pounds) of ketamine from the defendant's home. He is the third Canadian citizen to receive the death sentence for drug smuggling since Canadian authorities arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in late 2018 on an extradition request from the United States. (AP)

Aug
06
Immigration / Law / Policy

Canada–China relations A court in China sentences a Canadian man to death on drug charges.

Canada–China relations A court in China sentences a Canadian man to death on drug charges. His alleged accomplice receives life imprisonment. Police had confiscated 120 kilograms (266 pounds) of ketamine from the defendant's home. He is the third Canadian citizen to receive the death sentence for drug smuggling since Canadian authorities arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in late 2018 on an extradition request from the United States. (AP)

Aug
06
Immigration / Law / Policy

Former Saudi Ministry of the Interior official Saad bin Khalid Al Jabry accuses Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of attempting to assassinate him in Canada, whe

Former Saudi Ministry of the Interior official Saad bin Khalid Al Jabry accuses Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of attempting to assassinate him in Canada, where he currently lives in exile, two weeks after the assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The would-be assassins, believed to be the Tiger Squad, were stopped at Toronto Pearson International Airport after Canadian border officials became suspicious of them following interviews. (BBC News)

Aug
06
Immigration / Law / Policy

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, Saudi Arabian–Yemeni border conflict Saudi state news agency SPA says Saudi Armed Forces shot down an explosive-laden d

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, Saudi Arabian–Yemeni border conflict Saudi state news agency SPA says Saudi Armed Forces shot down an explosive-laden drone launched against Saudi territory from Al Hudaydah Governorate, on Yemen's Red Sea coast. The Houthis report a Saudi air strike on Saada Governorate. (Reuters)

Aug
06
Politics / Government

Trump implements a tariff of 10% on aluminum imports from Canada, pursuant to Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act.

Trump implements a tariff of 10% on aluminum imports from Canada, pursuant to Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act. The United States previously imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018 citing national security concerns, before removing them last year as part of the USCMA Free Trade Agreement. Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau vows "dollar-for-dollar" countermeasures. (CBC)

Aug
06
Politics / Government

Trump tariffs Trump implements a tariff of 10% on aluminum imports from Canada, pursuant to Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act.

Trump tariffs Trump implements a tariff of 10% on aluminum imports from Canada, pursuant to Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act. The United States previously imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018 citing national security concerns, before removing them last year as part of the USCMA Free Trade Agreement. Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau vows "dollar-for-dollar" countermeasures. (CBC)

Aug
07
Politics / Government

2020 United States presidential election The National Counterintelligence and Security Center reports that China, Russia, and Iran are working to interfere with

2020 United States presidential election The National Counterintelligence and Security Center reports that China, Russia, and Iran are working to interfere with the upcoming American presidential election. They specifically claim that Russia is working to undermine former Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's presidential campaign and boost Trump's, while China and Iran are working to undermine Trump's and boost Biden's. Iran is also trying to "undermine US democratic institutions". (BBC News)

Aug
07
Politics / Government

The National Counterintelligence and Security Center reports that China, Russia, and Iran are working to interfere with the upcoming American presidential elect

The National Counterintelligence and Security Center reports that China, Russia, and Iran are working to interfere with the upcoming American presidential election. They specifically claim that Russia is working to undermine former Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's presidential campaign and boost Trump's, while China and Iran are working to undermine Trump's and boost Biden's. Iran is also trying to "undermine US democratic institutions". (BBC News)

Aug
07
Politics / Government

2020 Bulgarian protests Bulgarian security forces clamp down on demonstrators and dismantle anti-government barricades across the country in a major police swee

2020 Bulgarian protests Bulgarian security forces clamp down on demonstrators and dismantle anti-government barricades across the country in a major police sweep. The police operation comes a day after the Bulgarian government declared that it had no plans to step down from power. (Balkan Insight)

Aug
07
Immigration / Law / Policy

China–United States relations, Hong Kong–United States relations The U.S.

China–United States relations, Hong Kong–United States relations The U.S. Treasury Department imposes sanctions on 11 current and former Chinese officials, including current Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Chinese envoy to Hong Kong Luo Huining, citing her role last year in attempting to pass an extradition law and, more recently, her involvement in "developing, adopting or implementing" the Hong Kong national security law. (South China Morning Post)

Aug
07
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom France reports 2,288 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours.

COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom France reports 2,288 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. It is the biggest daily spike since the end of May and the first time in months that the number of cases has surpassed 2,000, prompting fears that the United Kingdom will add the country onto its quarantine list. (Sky News) (The New York Times)

Aug
07
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports the highest single-day record of more than 62,000 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the country's total t

COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports the highest single-day record of more than 62,000 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the country's total to 2,025,409. This total makes India the third country to pass two million cases, after the United States and Brazil. (BBC News)

Aug
07
Health / Disasters

France and Germany end talks with the United States to reform the World Health Organization, after the former two's respective health ministries expressed oppos

France and Germany end talks with the United States to reform the World Health Organization, after the former two's respective health ministries expressed opposition to the attempt from the US at leading the talks, despite the US having decided to leave the organization. (Reuters)

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