President Ashraf Ghani and Vice President Amrullah Saleh leave the country and are currently in Tajikistan. (BBC News)
2020 Summer Paralympics The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Japanese government issue a joint statement indicating that spectators will be banned at Paralympic venues in Tokyo and other prefectures that are currently under a state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19. (The Washington Post) (France 24)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports 2020 Summer Paralympics The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Japanese government issue a joint statement indicating that spectators will be banned at Paralympic venues in Tokyo and other prefectures that are currently under a state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19. (The Washington Post) (France 24)
The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Japanese government issue a joint statement indicating that spectators will be banned at Paralympic venues in Tokyo and other prefectures that are currently under a state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19. (The Washington Post) (France 24)
The first Afghan President after the 2001 United States invasion, Hamid Karzai, announces that he and his daughters will remain in Kabul as he appeals to the Taliban to respect his life and the lives of civilians in Afghanistan. (Indiatimes)
Amrullah Saleh, who served as First Vice President under former president Ashraf Ghani, claims on Twitter that he is now caretaker president, and that he refuses to surrender to the Taliban. Saleh is recorded travelling to Panjshir Province with Ahmad Massoud, who has declared his opposition to the Taliban and also called for anti-Taliban militia to assemble in Panjshir. (Hindustan Times) (Yahoo! Finance)
During an interview with ABC News reporter George Stephanopoulos, U.S. president Joe Biden says that the U.S. is committed to getting every American out of Afghanistan, even if it means extending the mission past the August 31 withdrawal deadline. (ABC News)
Former president Ghani says that he left the country to avoid being lynched. He also denies reports that he left the country with cash and says that he is in talks to return to Afghanistan. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The Biden administration announces that beginning on September 20, the U.S. will begin administering booster shots of the Moderna and Pfizer–BioNTech vaccines for most people who received their second dose at least eight months ago. (Business Insider)
The Biden administration announces that beginning on September 20, the U.S. will begin administering booster shots of the Moderna and Pfizer–BioNTech vaccines for most people who received their second dose at least eight months ago. (Business Insider)
Arizona Senate president Karen Fann announces that the delivery of the draft report from Cyber Ninjas, the company leading an audit of Maricopa County's presidential election, has been delayed after CEO Doug Logan and two other members have tested positive for COVID-19. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona Arizona Senate president Karen Fann announces that the delivery of the draft report from Cyber Ninjas, the company leading an audit of Maricopa County's presidential election, has been delayed after CEO Doug Logan and two other members have tested positive for COVID-19. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Guatemala The Congress of the Republic rejects the approval of the state of calamity which, among other measures, imposed a curfew between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. in addition to restrictions on mobility and freedom of assembly. President Alejandro Giammattei defended the entry into force of these measures on August 13 as reducing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. (Telesur)
Havana syndrome U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's trip to Vietnam from Singapore is postponed for several hours following reports of cases of Havana syndrome in Hanoi. Additionally, two other U.S. staff are evacuated from the country. (Forbes)
The Congress of the Republic rejects the approval of the state of calamity which, among other measures, imposed a curfew between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. in addition to restrictions on mobility and freedom of assembly. President Alejandro Giammattei defended the entry into force of these measures on August 13 as reducing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. (Telesur)
