American Airlines announces it will end service at 15 airports starting October 7. (CNN)
Costa Rica reopens for traveling for Americans in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Costa Rica, COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Costa Rica reopens for traveling for Americans in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Costa Rica, COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Costa Rica reopens for traveling for Americans in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts Students in Massachusetts will be required to take a flu vaccine in order to attend schools. (CBS News)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism Airbnb bans house parties and limits almost all listed venues to 16 people as it tries to comply with gathering restrictions. (BBC News) Australian youth travel agency STA Travel files for insolvency. (BBC News) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation American Airlines announces it will end service at 15 airports starting October 7. (CNN)
Flint water crisis Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces that the state will pay a $600 million settlement to Flint residents who were affected by lead contamination in the water, 80% of which will be distributed to families of children affected by the crisis. (The Washington Post)
Four defendants of the non-profit organization We Build The Wall, including former Trump advisor Steve Bannon and its founder Brian Kolfage, are arrested on charges of conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The charges were stated in an indictment announced by the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, which alleges that the four defendants defrauded the organization's donors, using the funds intended for the construction of the wall along the Mexico–U.S. border for personal expenses instead. (Al Jazeera)
Hashem Abedi is sentenced to a minimum of 55 years in prison by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales. He was found guilty in March on 22 charges of murder for assisting his older brother Salman in carrying out the suicide bombing by sourcing out the materials used in creating the bomb. (Reuters via The Straits Times)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation American Airlines announces it will end service at 15 airports starting October 7. (CNN)
Manchester Arena bombing Hashem Abedi is sentenced to a minimum of 55 years in prison by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales. He was found guilty in March on 22 charges of murder for assisting his older brother Salman in carrying out the suicide bombing by sourcing out the materials used in creating the bomb. (Reuters via The Straits Times)
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces that the state will pay a $600 million settlement to Flint residents who were affected by lead contamination in the water, 80% of which will be distributed to families of children affected by the crisis. (The Washington Post)
Sanctions against Iran U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces his intention to invoke the "snap back" provision of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, an endorsement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) which would reimplement all of the United Nations' sanctions on Iran. The U.S., however, had withdrawn from JCPOA in 2018. (The Guardian)
Thai Police say they have arrested a further eight activists, including two popular rappers, in an increased crackdown on protestors who demand a change to the country's monarchy. All eight were later released on bail, according to one of their lawyers. (Reuters)
The South Korean National Intelligence Service reports that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has delegated some major responsibilities to his sister, Kim Yo-jong, that involves overseeing North Korea's relations with South Korea and the United States. South Korean lawmakers describe her new role as a "de facto second-in-command" of North Korea who "steers overall state affairs." (Fox News)
The press office of deposed Bolivian President Evo Morales rejects a criminal complaint filed this week by the Ministry of Justice accusing him of trafficking and raping a 16-year-old girl, claiming it was part of a "dirty war" waged by the interim government. (Reuters)
2019–2020 Iraqi protests Protesters in the southern city of Basra set fire to a local parliament office after gathering to demand the resignation of governor Asaad Al Eidani for the killing of two activists last week. (Reuters)
Protesters in the southern city of Basra set fire to a local parliament office after gathering to demand the resignation of governor Asaad Al Eidani for the killing of two activists last week. (Reuters)
2020 California wildfires August 2020 California lightning wildfires Structures at the Big Basin Redwoods State Park are damaged or destroyed by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in Santa Cruz County. (CNN) Six people die in the wildfires in Northern California. (ABC News) The LNU Lightning Complex Fire grows to 220,000 acres, with 7% of the fire contained. (SFGate)
American actress Lori Loughlin is sentenced to two months in prison and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, is sentenced to five months in prison for their role in the college admissions scandal. (Los Angeles Times)
American company Pfizer and German company BioNTech say that they are on track to being submitted for regulatory review as early as October. (Financial Express)
August 2020 California lightning wildfires Structures at the Big Basin Redwoods State Park are damaged or destroyed by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in Santa Cruz County. (CNN) Six people die in the wildfires in Northern California. (ABC News) The LNU Lightning Complex Fire grows to 220,000 acres, with 7% of the fire contained. (SFGate)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Vice Chancellor and Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announces a plan to loan around €218 billion ($258bn) for a bailout to mitigate the impact of the country's recession caused by the pandemic, thereby suspending the debt brake. (CGTN) COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The UK's national debt exceeds £2 trillion ($2.61tn) for the first time, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. (AFP via New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Vice Chancellor and Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announces a plan to loan around €218 billion ($258bn) for a bailout to mitigate the impact of the country's recession caused by the pandemic, thereby suspending the debt brake. (CGTN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announces on state radio that he will tighten border crossing rules in Hungary on September 1 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as the number of new infections rises in neighbouring countries. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya, protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic Police arrest anti-corruption protesters in Nairobi for allegedly disobeying social distancing measures. Protesters, however, claim the arrests were an attempt by authorities to silence dissent and report that police have used tear gas to disperse the crowds. (AP via The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The UK's national debt exceeds £2 trillion ($2.61tn) for the first time, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. (AFP via New Straits Times)
COVID-19 vaccine American company Pfizer and German company BioNTech say that they are on track to being submitted for regulatory review as early as October. (Financial Express)
Former California police officer Joseph James DeAngelo, also known as the Golden State Killer, receives multiple consecutive life sentences without parole in the county superior court in Sacramento. DeAngelo pleaded guilty in June to 13 counts of first-degree murder in exchange for taking the death penalty off the table. (ABC News)
Iran–United States relations A U.S. attempt to extend United Nations sanctions against Iran under a JCPoA "snapback" provision is opposed by 13 Security Council members, who argue that the U.S. left the agreement with Iran in 2018. (The Guardian)
King Salman of Saudi Arabia dismisses Awwad Eid Al-Aradi Al-Balawi, the directorate general of the Border Guards, and several other officials over structural encroachment in the Red Sea Project. (Xinhua)
Mali–United States relations The U.S. announces through its Sahel Region representative J. Peter Pham that it is halting military cooperation with Mali over the recent coup until the recent situation is "clarified". (Reuters)
Police arrest anti-corruption protesters in Nairobi for allegedly disobeying social distancing measures. Protesters, however, claim the arrests were an attempt by authorities to silence dissent and report that police have used tear gas to disperse the crowds. (AP via The Washington Post)
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announces on state radio that he will tighten border crossing rules in Hungary on September 1 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as the number of new infections rises in neighbouring countries. (Reuters)
Six people die in the wildfires in Northern California. (ABC News)
The UK's national debt exceeds £2 trillion ($2.61tn) for the first time, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. (AFP via New Straits Times)
Vice Chancellor and Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announces a plan to loan around €218 billion ($258bn) for a bailout to mitigate the impact of the country's recession caused by the pandemic, thereby suspending the debt brake. (CGTN)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, 2020 United States Postal Service crisis In a 257–150 vote, the House of Representatives approves a bill that would reverse changes to the operations of the Postal Service implemented by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, amid a series of backlogs and delays in the delivery of mail following his appointment in June. The bill also aims to provide the agency financial support worth $25 billion in preparation for an expected surge in postal voting in the upcoming election due to the pandemic. (AP via Philippine Daily Inquirer)
In a 257–150 vote, the House of Representatives approves a bill that would reverse changes to the operations of the Postal Service implemented by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, amid a series of backlogs and delays in the delivery of mail following his appointment in June. The bill also aims to provide the agency financial support worth $25 billion in preparation for an expected surge in postal voting in the upcoming election due to the pandemic. (AP via Philippine Daily Inquirer)
At least 13 people are killed after police raid a nightclub in Lima for breaching restrictions that were imposed in response to the pandemic. Police report that a stampede occurred as patrons tried to escape, resulting in casualties, while others were killed due to asphyxiation. (Reuters via Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Peru At least 13 people are killed after police raid a nightclub in Lima for breaching restrictions that were imposed in response to the pandemic. Police report that a stampede occurred as patrons tried to escape, resulting in casualties, while others were killed due to asphyxiation. (Reuters via Hindustan Times)
Department of Homeland Security officers force demonstrators out of a plaza near Multnomah County Justice Center as dueling demonstrations in Portland, Oregon by right-wing and left-wing protesters turn violent. Images show hundreds of people involved, many of them wearing helmets and carrying makeshift shields. Some demonstrators appeared to use pepper spray and at least one person appeared to pull a gun, but no arrests have been made so far. (NBC News)
Forty people are arrested while protesting Operation Legend in Detroit. Police also used tear gas and pepper spray on the crowd of about 100 people. (WDIV)
George Floyd protests in Michigan Forty people are arrested while protesting Operation Legend in Detroit. Police also used tear gas and pepper spray on the crowd of about 100 people. (WDIV)
George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon Department of Homeland Security officers force demonstrators out of a plaza near Multnomah County Justice Center as dueling demonstrations in Portland, Oregon by right-wing and left-wing protesters turn violent. Images show hundreds of people involved, many of them wearing helmets and carrying makeshift shields. Some demonstrators appeared to use pepper spray and at least one person appeared to pull a gun, but no arrests have been made so far. (NBC News)
The United States military withdraw from Camp Taji and hand it over to the Iraqi military; the base has been the target of many rocket attacks recently. The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump redoubled his promise to withdraw troops from the country. (Reuters)
Counselor to the U.S. President Kellyanne Conway announces her resignation, effective at the end of the month. (AP via Global News)
Hurricane warnings are issued for the state of Louisiana and parts of Mississippi as it is expected that Tropical Storm Marco will become a hurricane later today. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Laura is also advancing toward the United States after leaving torrential rain in parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards requests a federal emergency declaration; Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declares a state of emergency. (The Guardian) (ABC News)
Tens of thousands rally in Independence Square, Minsk, calling for President Alexander Lukashenko to step down, despite a police ban on protests in the capital. (BBC News)
The Ministry of Defence describes anti-Lukashenko protesters as "fascists", and says the army will take over the protection of war memorials from local police forces. (Reuters)
Trump administration dismissals and resignations Counselor to the U.S. President Kellyanne Conway announces her resignation, effective at the end of the month. (AP via Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India India's number of confirmed cases tops 3 million, making it the third country to surpass that number after the United States and Brazil as the country leads the world in daily new cases. (Al Jazeera) COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports 397 new cases, which is the highest number of reported cases since early March as the virus is reported in all cities and provinces across the country. From that number 387 were locally transmitted. (Reuters) (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India's number of confirmed cases tops 3 million, making it the third country to surpass that number after the United States and Brazil as the country leads the world in daily new cases. (Al Jazeera)
India's number of confirmed cases tops 3 million, making it the third country to surpass that number after the United States and Brazil as the country leads the world in daily new cases. (Al Jazeera)
Protests have erupted in the Kenosha, Wisconsin after police shot a black man, Jacob Blake, many times while responding to what they claimed was a domestic incident. An online video shows Blake being shot in the back in broad daylight as he tries to get into a car. Authorities declared an emergency overnight curfew after unrest broke out following the shooting. Vehicles were set on fire and protesters shouted "We won't back down". (BBC News)
Rioting erupts in Paris following the defeat of Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the Champions League final. Riot police fire tear gas at groups of PSG fans, who responded by throwing fireworks and flares. Several arrests are made. (The Mirror)
Shooting of Jacob Blake, George Floyd protests Protests have erupted in the Kenosha, Wisconsin after police shot a black man, Jacob Blake, many times while responding to what they claimed was a domestic incident. An online video shows Blake being shot in the back in broad daylight as he tries to get into a car. Authorities declared an emergency overnight curfew after unrest broke out following the shooting. Vehicles were set on fire and protesters shouted "We won't back down". (BBC News)
The Mail on Sunday reports that British Chancellor Rishi Sunak plans to abolish an Internet tax expected to raise £500 million ($654M) a year. The tax was introduced in April 2020 and could reportedly be an impediment to a post-Brexit trade deal with the United States. (Reuters via The Jakarta Post)
2020 United States presidential election The 2020 Republican National Convention begins, running until Thursday. Incumbents President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to be officially nominated to run for re-election, facing off against former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris in November. (CNN)
Chinese video-sharing service TikTok sues U.S. President Donald Trump over his executive orders, signed earlier this month, that would effectively ban the app within the United States. The company says the executive orders are part of a "broader campaign of anti-China rhetoric" in the lead up to the upcoming presidential election. (Reuters)
The 2020 Republican National Convention begins, running until Thursday. Incumbents President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to be officially nominated to run for re-election, facing off against former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris in November. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in Germany German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warning for Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice, as well as French Guiana and other overseas French territories against "unnecessary tourism" due to rising COVID-19 infections in these regions. (RFI)
German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warning for Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice, as well as French Guiana and other overseas French territories against "unnecessary tourism" due to rising COVID-19 infections in these regions. (RFI)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in Germany German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warning for Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice, as well as French Guiana and other overseas French territories against "unnecessary tourism" due to rising COVID-19 infections in these regions. (RFI)
2020 Belarusian protests The Coordinating Council of the Belarusian opposition report that two of its members, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova, have been detained by police in Minsk. (AP via ABC News)
2020 Jolo bombings Militants believed to be Abu Sayyaf jihadists detonate two bombs in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines, killing 14 people and wounding 75 others. The first occurred as army personnel were assisting in carrying out COVID-19 humanitarian efforts. The second was carried out by a female suicide bomber near the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, which was bombed in 2019. (The New York Times)
A prison riot in Farafangana, Madagascar, leaves at least 20 inmates dead, while dozens of prisoners escape after overpowering the guards. The Justice Ministry says 31 prisoners remain on the loose, while 37 have been captured alive. (ABC News)
Militants believed to be Abu Sayyaf jihadists detonate two bombs in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines, killing 14 people and wounding 75 others. The first occurred as army personnel were assisting in carrying out COVID-19 humanitarian efforts. The second was carried out by a female suicide bomber near the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, which was bombed in 2019. (The New York Times)
Moro conflict 2020 Jolo bombings Militants believed to be Abu Sayyaf jihadists detonate two bombs in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines, killing 14 people and wounding 75 others. The first occurred as army personnel were assisting in carrying out COVID-19 humanitarian efforts. The second was carried out by a female suicide bomber near the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, which was bombed in 2019. (The New York Times)
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)
Police and demonstrators clash for a second night in Wisconsin in the aftermath of Blake's shooting. Blake is still in intensive care, said attorney Ben Crump who is representing him and his family. (CNN)
Shooting of Jacob Blake, George Floyd protests Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers deploys the National Guard to maintain "public safety" after police shot Jacob Blake on Sunday. Hundreds of people marched on police headquarters that night to demonstrate against the shooting. Up to 200 members of the National Guard will be deployed. (BBC News) Police and demonstrators clash for a second night in Wisconsin in the aftermath of Blake's shooting. Blake is still in intensive care, said attorney Ben Crump who is representing him and his family. (CNN)
The Coordinating Council of the Belarusian opposition report that two of its members, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova, have been detained by police in Minsk. (AP via ABC News)
The UAE cancels a planned meeting with Pompeo and Israel for Friday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly denied that a proposed armed deal with the U.S. and the UAE will involve the sale of F-35 military jets. The UAE maintains that the jet's acquisition is tied to the normalization deal. (Al Jazeera)
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers deploys the National Guard to maintain "public safety" after police shot Jacob Blake on Sunday. Hundreds of people marched on police headquarters that night to demonstrate against the shooting. Up to 200 members of the National Guard will be deployed. (BBC News)
