The United States Department of the Treasury sanctions eight Chinese officials over the crackdown on Hong Kong pro-democracy activists amid a trial of 47 of them on charges of "subverting state power". (Reuters)
A shooting at a baseball game in Washington, D.C. between the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres causes the game's suspension at the bottom of the sixth inning. Four people were shot just outside of the Third Base Exit at Nationals Park. (ESPN)
Moroccan citizen Abdul Latif Nasir becomes the first prisoner held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp to be released by the Biden administration, as part of the process to reduce the camp's population and eventually close it. Nasir was cleared for release by the Periodic Review Board in July 2016, but was blocked by the Trump administration. (Al Jazeera)
Texas reports their first case of the Lambda variant of SARS-CoV-2, which was first detected in Peru. (Newsweek)
Two United States citizens are convicted and sentenced in Japan for aiding former CEO of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, in his escape from Japan to Lebanon in December 2019. Former U.S. Special Forces Michael Taylor is sentenced to 2 years' imprisonment while his son receives a 20 months' sentence. (DW)
Pasadena becomes the first city in Southern California to require vaccinations for employees. However, the mandate will not be in effect until it receives a full approval by the Food and Drug Administration. (KCBS-TV)
Russia surpasses six million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fourth country to do so after the United States, India, and Brazil. (AKIPress)
2021 Taliban offensive United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley says that half of all Afghan districts are under Taliban control as the complete withdrawal of foreign armed forces approaches. (Reuters)
Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley says that half of all Afghan districts are under Taliban control as the complete withdrawal of foreign armed forces approaches. (Reuters)
The Bootleg Fire in Oregon, United States, grows to 400,000 acres. (The Oregonian)
United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley says that half of all Afghan districts are under Taliban control as the complete withdrawal of foreign armed forces approaches. (Reuters)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announces that 70% of adults in the city have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Patch.com)
Singapore reverts to "Phase 2 Heightened Alert" which bans dine-in service in all food and beverage establishments and closes all personalised care services that would require patrons to remove their masks. These restrictions will remain in effect until August 18. (The Straits Times)
A 32-year-old Florida man is sentenced to life in prison plus 90 years for murdering his girlfriend and daughter in 2018. The sentencing judge describes the 2018 Riverview killings as the "worst case [she's] ever seen". (ABC Action News)
Assassination of Jovenel Moïse Gunshots are heard at Jovenel Moïse’s funeral, with U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield cancelling the remainder of her visit to Haiti as a result of the incident. (NBC News)
China–United States relations Following U.S. sanctions on Hong Kong Liaison Office executives, China announces retaliatory sanctions on the Hong Kong Democracy Council and several Americans, including former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. (Bloomberg)
Cleveland Indians name and logo controversy, Native American mascot controversy The Cleveland Indians announce that the team's name will be changed to the Cleveland Guardians after the conclusion of the 2021 season. (ESPN)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The Biden administration announces that the United States has purchased 200 million extra doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, including doses intended for children under the age of 12 years old. (CBS)
Following U.S. sanctions on Hong Kong Liaison Office executives, China announces retaliatory sanctions on the Hong Kong Democracy Council and several Americans, including former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. (Bloomberg)
Gunshots are heard at Jovenel Moïse’s funeral, with U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield cancelling the remainder of her visit to Haiti as a result of the incident. (NBC News)
The Biden administration announces that the United States has purchased 200 million extra doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, including doses intended for children under the age of 12 years old. (CBS)
Colombia reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in an international traveller who arrived in Cali from the United States. (CNN Español)
A South Florida caravan heads to Washington, D.C., to urge the Biden administration to take more action against Cuba and end the country's communist regime. (WFOR-TV)
Dixie Fire The Dixie Fire grows to 190,000 acres in Butte County and Plumas County after merging with the Fly Fire. Approximately 16 structures have been destroyed. (The Washington Post) (KCRA-TV) The Plumas County Sheriff's Office orders mandatory evacuations in the area amid the spread of the Dixie Fire. (KRCR-TV) (KTXL-TV)
The Dixie Fire grows to 190,000 acres in Butte County and Plumas County after merging with the Fly Fire. Approximately 16 structures have been destroyed. (The Washington Post) (KCRA-TV)
The Plumas County Sheriff's Office orders mandatory evacuations in the area amid the spread of the Dixie Fire. (KRCR-TV) (KTXL-TV)
Pubs and restaurants are allowed to resume their indoor service across Ireland for the first time since March 2020, although customers must have official proof that they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 180 days. (BBC News)
2021 Leverkusen explosion Two people are killed, 31 are injured and five more are missing after an explosion at an industrial park housing several chemical companies in Leverkusen, NRW, Germany. (The Washington Post)
The Dixie Fire grows to 208,206 acres, which is larger than the size of New York City. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Two people are killed, 31 are injured and five more are missing after an explosion at an industrial park housing several chemical companies in Leverkusen, NRW, Germany. (The Washington Post)
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that the state will require COVID-19 vaccines or negative COVID-19 tests for state workers, making New York the second U.S. state to do so after California. (The New York Times)
The Washington Nationals postpones their game against the Philadelphia Phillies after 12 people within the organization test positive for COVID-19. (CNN)
A huge fire destroys part of the Cinemateca Brasileira, in São Paulo, that have the largest collection of "moving image" in Latin America. (EFE)
Northern Ireland announces that it will allow fully-vaccinated travellers from amber list European Union countries as well as the United States to enter without needing to quarantine beginning on August 1. (The Guardian)
Vermont becomes the first U.S. state to vaccinate 70% of people aged 12 to 17. (NECN)
The United States places sanctions on the Cuban police force and two of its police leaders. (CNBC)
The United States surpasses 100,000 daily reported cases for the first time since February 11. (The New York Times)
Twenty-four-year-old Tong Ying-kit is sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted last week for driving his motorcycle into three riot police last year. (Reuters)
Florida reports a record 21,683 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, surpassing the previous record of 19,334 cases reported on January 7. (Tampa Bay Times)
Pakistan reports its first five cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Epsilon variant in Lahore, which was originally detected in California. (DAWN)
The number of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Florida reaches a record 10,207, surpassing the previous record of 10,170 people recorded on July 23, 2020. (Associated Press)
The United Kingdom eases its quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers from the United States and European Union countries other than France where most of them are in the "amber list" category in order to reunite family and friends whose loved ones live abroad. Travellers will still need to take either a lateral flow or PCR test before their departure, and a PCR test on the second day after their arrival. (BBC News)
A report released by New York Attorney General Letitia James says that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. (NBC News)
Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment allegations A report released by New York Attorney General Letitia James says that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. (NBC News)
Louisiana reports a record 2,112 hospitalizations from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (U.S. News & World Report)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announces that the city will issue a vaccine mandate for indoor dining, gyms, and public performances, making New York City the first U.S. city to do so. The program will begin on August 16 and will be enforceable beginning on September 13. (The New York Times)
South Korea reports its first two cases of the Delta Plus variant in a man who had not travelled internationally and a person who had travelled from the United States. (Yonhap News Agency)
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide surpasses 200 million. (The New York Times)
Spain donates 7.5 million vaccines to Latin American countries, with the first countries to receive these vaccines being Peru, Paraguay and Guatemala. (Prensa Latina)
The Dixie Fire destroys most of Greenville, California, including large portions of its historic downtown area. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The White House COVID-19 Response Team announces that 50% of Americans have been fully vaccinated. (VOA)
Florida reports a record 22,783 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (WTVJ)
New Jersey gym owner Scott K. Fairlamb and Washington resident Devlyn D. Thompson pleads guilty to assaulting U.S. Capitol Police officers during the January 6 riot at the Capitol, becoming the first suspects to do so. (The Washington Post)
The number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. reaches an average of 100,000 new cases per day for the first time since February. (US News)
The White House COVID-19 Response Team announces that 50% of Americans have been fully vaccinated. (VOA)
Insurgency in Balochistan Two policemen are killed and 21 more people are wounded as a roadside bombing explode in a street in Quetta, Pakistan, targeting a police mobile van near a hotel. (Al Jazeera)
Two policemen are killed and 21 more people are wounded as a roadside bombing explode in a street in Quetta, Pakistan, targeting a police mobile van near a hotel. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announces that all service members will be required to be vaccinated by mid-September. (ABC News) The U.S. CDC announces that 60% of Americans have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Reuters)
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announces that all service members will be required to be vaccinated by mid-September. (ABC News)
Andrew Cuomo announces his resignation as Governor of New York following allegations of sexual harassment, as well as an investigatory report by New York Attorney General Letitia James which stated that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women during his time in office. Cuomo's resignation will take effect on August 24 and he will be succeeded by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who will become the first woman to serve as Governor of New York. (NBC News)
Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment allegations Andrew Cuomo announces his resignation as Governor of New York following allegations of sexual harassment, as well as an investigatory report by New York Attorney General Letitia James which stated that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women during his time in office. Cuomo's resignation will take effect on August 24 and he will be succeeded by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who will become the first woman to serve as Governor of New York. (NBC News)
East Timor reports its first community transmitted cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in 12 samples from the Ermera region. (U.S. News & World Report)
A British man working at the British embassy in Berlin is arrested by German police on suspicion of spying for Russia. (Reuters)
Denmark confirms that it will purchase 280,000 doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for a total price of 37 million crowns ($5.84 million) or roughly $20.9 per dose as part of a European Union agreement with Novavax. (Reuters)
2021 Taliban offensive, Battle of Kandahar (2021) The Taliban captures the provincial capitals of Ghazni, Qala e Naw, Kandahar and Herat, bringing the number of provincial capitals taken in the past seven days to thirteen. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera) (Associated Press) (The New York Times)
Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive, Battle of Kandahar (2021) The Taliban captures the provincial capitals of Ghazni, Qala e Naw, Kandahar and Herat, bringing the number of provincial capitals taken in the past seven days to thirteen. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera) (Associated Press) (The New York Times)
The population of white Americans declines for the first time, and population growth is at its lowest since the Great Depression, per the results of the 2020 census. (Reuters)
The Taliban captures the provincial capitals of Ghazni, Qala e Naw, Kandahar and Herat, bringing the number of provincial capitals taken in the past seven days to thirteen. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera) (Associated Press) (The New York Times)
Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment allegations The New York State Assembly says that they will suspend impeachment investigations of outgoing governor Andrew Cuomo once he resigns on August 24. (Associated Press)
Germany reclassifies the United States, Israel, Turkey, Kenya, Montenegro and Vietnam as "high risk" COVID-19 areas, triggering mandatory 10-day quarantines for unvaccinated travellers unless they can show a negative test after five days. The changes will be in effect from August 17 for Turkey and from August 15 for the rest of the countries. (Deutsche Welle)
The New York State Assembly says that they will suspend impeachment investigations of outgoing governor Andrew Cuomo once he resigns on August 24. (Associated Press)
Konstantin Pavlov, the pro-Russian mayor of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, is found dead at his home with a gunshot wound. The National Police of Ukraine say that they are currently establishing the circumstances of the mayor's death and have also opened a criminal case. (Reuters)
2020–22 North American drought The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation issues an official water shortage declaration at the Lake Mead reservoir for the first time. The shortage will mean reduced water apportionments to Arizona, Nevada and Mexico beginning in October. (Reuters)
Hong Kong reclassifies 15 countries and territories, including the U.S., France, Malaysia, and Thailand, to the "high-risk" category, which means that beginning on August 20, there will be mandatory 21-day quarantines and tougher boarding requirements for travellers arriving from those countries due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta variant. (Reuters)
North Macedonia restricts the access of cafés, restaurants and public events to only those who have been vaccinated with at least one dose or who have recovered from COVID-19 within the past 45 days and also limits the capacity of restaurants to 30 people with only outdoor parts of restaurants to be open in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 cases. (U.S. News & World Report)
