Samoa extends the state of emergency until September 27. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi says he fears the practice of congregating in large numbers would likely see the virus entering the (at this time) COVID-19-free country. (RNZ)
Sweden bans far-right Danish leader Rasmus Paludan from entering the country for two years in response to last night's unrest in the city of Malmö, in which hundreds of Muslim youths clashed with police following the burning of a Quran. Malmö police say his behaviour posed "a threat to the fundamental interests of society". (Euronews)
Following the death of American actor Chadwick Boseman two days prior, the tweet by his family announcing his death becomes the most-liked tweet in history with over 7.1 million likes. It surpasses a tweet made by former U.S. President Barack Obama in the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally in 2017, which has over 4.3 million likes. (CNN)
At least three migrants die when their boat catches fire off the coast of Crotone, Calabria, Italy. Another five migrants are injured as well as two police officers who tried to help them. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports 78,761 new cases in the past 24 hours, thus marking the highest single-day rise in case numbers recorded anywhere in the world. The record was previously set by the United States, which reported 77,638 new cases on July 17. This puts India's overall case tally to 3.5 million. (France 24)
European migrant crisis At least three migrants die when their boat catches fire off the coast of Crotone, Calabria, Italy. Another five migrants are injured as well as two police officers who tried to help them. (Reuters)
India reports 78,761 new cases in the past 24 hours, thus marking the highest single-day rise in case numbers recorded anywhere in the world. The record was previously set by the United States, which reported 77,638 new cases on July 17. This puts India's overall case tally to 3.5 million. (France 24)
China–Czech Republic relations, One-China policy The Czech foreign ministry summons the Chinese ambassador in Prague over threats made by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi against Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, who is on an official visit to Taiwan. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte extends the general community quarantine on Metro Manila until the end of September, while placing the provinces of Batangas and Bulacan and the cities of Bacolod and Tacloban under the same level of the eased quarantine protocol; meanwhile, the city of Iligan is placed under modified enhanced community quarantine, the most stringent lockdown measure. (Reuters via U.S. News) (Xinhua) (CNN Philippines)
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)
Gaza–Israel conflict, Gaza–Israel clashes in 2020 Palestinian militant group Hamas announces that a ceasefire agreement has been reached with the Israeli government to end a month-long series of cross-border firing involving the launch of incendiary balloons in the Gaza Strip. The agreement follows mediation talks with Egyptian and Qatari officials. (AFP via The Guardian)
Palestinian militant group Hamas announces that a ceasefire agreement has been reached with the Israeli government to end a month-long series of cross-border firing involving the launch of incendiary balloons in the Gaza Strip. The agreement follows mediation talks with Egyptian and Qatari officials. (AFP via The Guardian)
President Rodrigo Duterte extends the general community quarantine on Metro Manila until the end of September, while placing the provinces of Batangas and Bulacan and the cities of Bacolod and Tacloban under the same level of the eased quarantine protocol; meanwhile, the city of Iligan is placed under modified enhanced community quarantine, the most stringent lockdown measure. (Reuters via U.S. News) (Xinhua) (CNN Philippines)
The Czech foreign ministry summons the Chinese ambassador in Prague over threats made by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi against Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, who is on an official visit to Taiwan. (CNA)
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)
2020 China–India skirmishes The Indian defence ministry accuses China's People's Liberation Army of militarising along the Line of Actual Control near the disputed Pangong Lake in Ladakh. India claims China had violated the consensus arrived at previous high-level meetings, but the Chinese foreign ministry denied the claim with their spokesperson saying, "the Chinese border troops have always strictly abided by the Line of Actual Control and have never crossed the line." (CNN)
Amazon Prime Air wins Federal Aviation Administration approval to operate a drone delivery service in the United States. Amazon becomes the third drone delivery service to win flight approval, after UPS and Wing. (AP)
AstraZeneca begins Phase III clinical trials of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222, which it developed with the University of Oxford, to some 30,000 adults in the United States. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves extends the state's mask mandate to two weeks. (The Meridian Star) The United States surpasses six million cases of COVID-19. (CNN) AstraZeneca begins Phase III clinical trials of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222, which it developed with the University of Oxford, to some 30,000 adults in the United States. (Bloomberg)
Korean Wave South Korean boy band BTS become the first all-South Korean act to top the United States record chart, after their single "Dynamite" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. (The Guardian)
Lawyers representing the families of the victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 state their intention to seek unspecified damages from four suspects charged by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service in connection with the incident. The claims have yet to be filed, as a Dutch District Court shall determine whether Dutch or Ukrainian law would be applied. (CNA) (VOA)
South Korean boy band BTS become the first all-South Korean act to top the United States record chart, after their single "Dynamite" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. (The Guardian)
The Indian defence ministry accuses China's People's Liberation Army of militarising along the Line of Actual Control near the disputed Pangong Lake in Ladakh. India claims China had violated the consensus arrived at previous high-level meetings, but the Chinese foreign ministry denied the claim with their spokesperson saying, "the Chinese border troops have always strictly abided by the Line of Actual Control and have never crossed the line." (CNN)
The United States surpasses six million cases of COVID-19. (CNN)
Russian interference in the 2020 United States elections Facebook says it has discovered a Russian influence campaign based in Saint Petersburg called Peace Data on the site which targeted left-wing voters in the United States and United Kingdom, by recruiting freelance journalists to write English-language articles concerning domestic politics, racial and political tensions, and criticism of President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. Twitter says it has suspended five accounts related to the Russian campaign. (Reuters)
American social media service Facebook announces it may block Australian users from sharing both local and international news stories on its platform, should the Australian government enact legislation that would require technology companies in the country to pay local news organisations. (The Japan Today)
Facebook says it has discovered a Russian influence campaign based in Saint Petersburg called Peace Data on the site which targeted left-wing voters in the United States and United Kingdom, by recruiting freelance journalists to write English-language articles concerning domestic politics, racial and political tensions, and criticism of President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. Twitter says it has suspended five accounts related to the Russian campaign. (Reuters)
American fast food company McDonald's is sued by 50 black owners for racial discrimination. According to the lawsuit, McDonald's steered black franchisees to stores which had lower revenue and higher security expenses than stores in more affluent areas. (AP)
Costa Rica reopens their borders to Americans from 11 states and Washington, D.C.. On September 15, Americans traveling from Colorado, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania will be allowed to enter the country. However, American travelers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Costa Rica, COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Costa Rica reopens their borders to Americans from 11 states and Washington, D.C.. On September 15, Americans traveling from Colorado, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania will be allowed to enter the country. However, American travelers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa The city council of Ames, Iowa passes a mask mandate with a vote of 5-1. The decision came after the New York Times named the city as a COVID-19 hotspot. (The Ames Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa The city council of Ames, Iowa passes a mask mandate with a vote of 5-1. The decision came after the New York Times named the city as a COVID-19 hotspot. (The Ames Tribune) COVID-19 pandemic in Belize The number of cases in Belize reaches past 1,000. (The Jamaica Observer) COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico The number of cases in Mexico reaches past 600,000. The death toll in the country reaches to 65,241. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa The city council of Ames, Iowa passes a mask mandate with a vote of 5-1. The decision came after the New York Times named the city as a COVID-19 hotspot. (The Ames Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Eviction in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues an order temporarily halting residential evictions on public health grounds, with the goal of slowing the spread of the COVID-19. The order lasts through December 31 and applies to individual renters earning no more than $99,000 in annual income. (Newsmax)
McDonald's litigation American fast food company McDonald's is sued by 50 black owners for racial discrimination. According to the lawsuit, McDonald's steered black franchisees to stores which had lower revenue and higher security expenses than stores in more affluent areas. (AP)
Protests in Los Angeles continued for a second night following the police shooting of Dijon Kizzee, 29, who Los Angeles Police Department officers say was riding a bike in "violation of vehicle codes". (Forbes)
Shooting of Dijon Kizzee Protests in Los Angeles continued for a second night following the police shooting of Dijon Kizzee, 29, who Los Angeles Police Department officers say was riding a bike in "violation of vehicle codes". (Forbes)
The city council of Ames, Iowa passes a mask mandate with a vote of 5-1. The decision came after the New York Times named the city as a COVID-19 hotspot. (The Ames Tribune)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Costa Rica, COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Costa Rica reopens their borders to Americans from 11 states and Washington, D.C.. On September 15, Americans traveling from Colorado, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania will be allowed to enter the country. However, American travelers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter. (The Hill)
China–United States relations United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces new restrictions on senior Chinese diplomats visiting the U.S., requiring them to secure an approval from U.S. authorities to meet with local government officials or to visit universities and colleges in the country. Pompeo describes the restrictions as a "reciprocal move" after the Chinese government had imposed similar restrictions on U.S. officials. (Kyodo News via The Mainichi)
Global surveillance disclosures (2013–present) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rules that the global surveillance programs of the National Security Agency disclosed by former Central Intelligence Agency employee Edward Snowden in 2013 are unconstitutional, having violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. (AAP via The Canberra Times) (DW)
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)
The United States places sanctions on several senior officials in the International Criminal Court, including Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, for launching an investigation into allegations of American war crimes in the current Afghanistan war. (BBC News)
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces new restrictions on senior Chinese diplomats visiting the U.S., requiring them to secure an approval from U.S. authorities to meet with local government officials or to visit universities and colleges in the country. Pompeo describes the restrictions as a "reciprocal move" after the Chinese government had imposed similar restrictions on U.S. officials. (Kyodo News via The Mainichi)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives The Ministry of Foreign Affairs tightens the country's visa policy for tourists, requiring all tourists to present a negative test result, after it was reported that at least 45 people at several of the country's resorts have contracted the virus. (CNA)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs tightens the country's visa policy for tourists, requiring all tourists to present a negative test result, after it was reported that at least 45 people at several of the country's resorts have contracted the virus. (CNA)
Kuwait swears in eight female judges, being the first Gulf country to do so. The women were among 54 judges sworn into the Supreme Court. (AFP via AL Arabiya)
Protesters and riot police clash in the city of Lalitpur over the ban of outdoors public events amid a religious festival. The government had previously banned public gatherings as the country records a total of 42,877 cases. (AP)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Protesters and riot police clash in the city of Lalitpur over the ban of outdoors public events amid a religious festival. The government had previously banned public gatherings as the country records a total of 42,877 cases. (AP)
2020 wildfire season, Climate change in the Arctic The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service reports that the Arctic Circle has experienced its worst wildfire season on record after the service released data indicating that a series of wildfires occurring in the first half of 2020, mostly in the Russian republic of Sakha, have emitted more than 244 million tons of carbon dioxide. The emissions within that period have increased by more than a third of carbon emissions in the whole of 2019. (Bloomberg) (CNN)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest Killings of Aaron Danielson and Michael Reinoehl Michael Reinoehl, who was accused of killing Patriot Prayer activist Aaron Danielson, is shot dead by police during arrest. ( The New York Times) Killing of Daniel Prude Rochester police made another round of arrests during protests that at times, turned violent. Protesters gathered and chanted near the Public Safety Building, and tensions began rising around 10:30 p.m. with police deploying pepper spray and pepper balls multiple times in a 10-minute span. (spectrum local news)
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)
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Spain Rodolfo Martín Villa declares before the Argentine courts accused of genocide and crimes against humanity for the role of the police during his tenure as Minister of the Interior between 1976 and 1979, especially for the Vitoria massacre in 1976. (20 minutos)
Killing of Daniel Prude Rochester police made another round of arrests during protests that at times, turned violent. Protesters gathered and chanted near the Public Safety Building, and tensions began rising around 10:30 p.m. with police deploying pepper spray and pepper balls multiple times in a 10-minute span. (spectrum local news)
Killings of Aaron Danielson and Michael Reinoehl Michael Reinoehl, who was accused of killing Patriot Prayer activist Aaron Danielson, is shot dead by police during arrest. ( The New York Times)
Michael Reinoehl, who was accused of killing Patriot Prayer activist Aaron Danielson, is shot dead by police during arrest. ( The New York Times)
Rochester police made another round of arrests during protests that at times, turned violent. Protesters gathered and chanted near the Public Safety Building, and tensions began rising around 10:30 p.m. with police deploying pepper spray and pepper balls multiple times in a 10-minute span. (spectrum local news)
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service reports that the Arctic Circle has experienced its worst wildfire season on record after the service released data indicating that a series of wildfires occurring in the first half of 2020, mostly in the Russian republic of Sakha, have emitted more than 244 million tons of carbon dioxide. The emissions within that period have increased by more than a third of carbon emissions in the whole of 2019. (Bloomberg) (CNN)
The skeletons of 200 mammoths, 25 camels, and five horses are unearthed at a construction site for the Mexico City Santa Lucía Airport. It surpasses Mammoth Site, Hot Springs, South Dakota, United States as the largest find of mammoth bones, which had 61 skeletons. (Los Angeles Times)
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)
Vitoria massacre Former Deputy Prime Minister of Spain Rodolfo Martín Villa declares before the Argentine courts accused of genocide and crimes against humanity for the role of the police during his tenure as Minister of the Interior between 1976 and 1979, especially for the Vitoria massacre in 1976. (20 minutos)
It is revealed that Palau urged the United States to build joint-use military facilities in the country, a move seen as a push back against Chinese influence in the Pacific. Palauan President Tommy Remengesau Jr. made the request in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who visited the island country last week. (CNA) (RNZ)
Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit against his life imprisonment sentence handed down by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in July 2019. Guzmán's lawyer claims that his maximum-security isolation at the Metropolitan Correctional Center following his extradition to the United States in January 2017 made him heavily unaware about his case and limited his ability to participate in his defense. (AFP via NDTV)
Palau–United States relations It is revealed that Palau urged the United States to build joint-use military facilities in the country, a move seen as a push back against Chinese influence in the Pacific. Palauan President Tommy Remengesau Jr. made the request in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who visited the island country last week. (CNA) (RNZ)
United States v. Guzmán Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit against his life imprisonment sentence handed down by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in July 2019. Guzmán's lawyer claims that his maximum-security isolation at the Metropolitan Correctional Center following his extradition to the United States in January 2017 made him heavily unaware about his case and limited his ability to participate in his defense. (AFP via NDTV)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season Two people in Vernon Parish, Louisiana and five in Texas die during Hurricane Laura, bringing the national death toll to 27. The two people in Louisiana died due to heat-related illness while removing debris. (KLFY) (NBC News)
2020 California wildfires The Big Basin Redwoods State Park is expected to close for a year due to damage caused by the CZU Lightning Complex fires. (USA Today)
American social media service Facebook deletes pages associated with the Portland, Oregon-based far-right group Patriot Prayer and its founder, Joey Gibson, citing efforts to remove "violent social militias" from its platform. (The Guardian)
George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon American social media service Facebook deletes pages associated with the Portland, Oregon-based far-right group Patriot Prayer and its founder, Joey Gibson, citing efforts to remove "violent social militias" from its platform. (The Guardian)
Israel–Kosovo relations, Israel–Serbia relations Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that Kosovo and Serbia will open their embassies in disputed Jerusalem, recognizing the city as Israel's capital. Netanyahu says Kosovo is the first Muslim-majority country to do so. Until this day, only the United States and Guatemala have moved their embassies to Jerusalem, a move that Palestinians reject. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that Kosovo and Serbia will open their embassies in disputed Jerusalem, recognizing the city as Israel's capital. Netanyahu says Kosovo is the first Muslim-majority country to do so. Until this day, only the United States and Guatemala have moved their embassies to Jerusalem, a move that Palestinians reject. (Reuters)
Killing of Daniel Prude Protests over a fatal police encounter in Rochester, New York began peacefully but ended with authorities using tear gas and pepper balls following incidents of vandalism and violence. It was the third straight night of protests after video was released earlier in the week showing Rochester Police Department officers holding Daniel Prude on the ground with a spit sock on his head in March. Prude stopped breathing and was declared brain dead at a hospital. (CNN)
Protests over a fatal police encounter in Rochester, New York began peacefully but ended with authorities using tear gas and pepper balls following incidents of vandalism and violence. It was the third straight night of protests after video was released earlier in the week showing Rochester Police Department officers holding Daniel Prude on the ground with a spit sock on his head in March. Prude stopped breathing and was declared brain dead at a hospital. (CNN)
The La Línea highway tunnel is opened in Colombia after 14 years of construction and several delays. It is the longest road tunnel in South America at 8.65 kilometres (5.37 miles). (Reuters)
Two people in Vernon Parish, Louisiana and five in Texas die during Hurricane Laura, bringing the national death toll to 27. The two people in Louisiana died due to heat-related illness while removing debris. (KLFY) (NBC News)
