CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a speech in which he specifically announced the realization of the first goal of the Two Centenaries goal set. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh imposes a lockdown that suspends all public transport and only allows people to leave their house for emergency reasons due to a substantial increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Soldiers are deployed to enforce the lockdown. (Voice of America)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces a month-long vaccination raffle in which residents can win a total of $5 million in cash (one grand prize of $2 million or three prizes of $1 million) and $500,000 total in college scholarships for children aged 12 to 17 years old (nine prizes of $55,000). The winners will be drawn on August 4. (MLive.com)
Politics of China CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a speech in which he specifically announced the realization of the first goal of the Two Centenaries goal set. (The New York Times)
European migrant crisis, Belarus–Lithuania relations Lithuania declares a state of emergency amid an increase in the number of undocumented migrants crossing into the country from neighbouring Belarus. The Government of Lithuania accuses Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of deliberately trying to destabilize the country by encouraging and allowing refugees, mostly Syrians, to cross the border. (Politico)
Lithuania declares a state of emergency amid an increase in the number of undocumented migrants crossing into the country from neighbouring Belarus. The Government of Lithuania accuses Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of deliberately trying to destabilize the country by encouraging and allowing refugees, mostly Syrians, to cross the border. (Politico)
A court in Tonga sentences the former Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism ʻAkosita Lavulavu and her husband to six years in prison after the Supreme Court found them both guilty of obtaining money by false pretenses. (RNZ)
Belarus closes its border with Ukraine after President Alexander Lukashenko claims that arms are being smuggled into the country in an attempt by "outside powers" to overthrow his regime, saying that "They have crossed the line. We cannot forgive them". Ukraine denies Lukashenko's claims, and says that closing the border would make its people "suffer". (BBC News)
Belarus–Ukraine relations Belarus closes its border with Ukraine after President Alexander Lukashenko claims that arms are being smuggled into the country in an attempt by "outside powers" to overthrow his regime, saying that "They have crossed the line. We cannot forgive them". Ukraine denies Lukashenko's claims, and says that closing the border would make its people "suffer". (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan receives 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the United States, facilitated through the COVAX initiative, UNICEF and the Government of Pakistan. (AP)
Pakistan receives 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the United States, facilitated through the COVAX initiative, UNICEF and the Government of Pakistan. (AP)
Bagram Airfield is looted by locals following the sudden American withdrawal from the airbase, which was conducted without notifying local forces. Afghan troops later cleared the airbase of looters and secured control of it. (Newsweek)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India surpasses 400,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the U.S. and Brazil. (Euronews)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon The Oregon Health Authority announces that over 70% of adults in the state have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (The Columbian)
India surpasses 400,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the U.S. and Brazil. (Euronews)
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby announces that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has approved a new command to oversee troops who will remain in the country to protect diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. The mission will be led by RDML Peter Vasely. (Stars and Stripes)
2021 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Elsa downgrades to a Tropical Storm and heads towards the Dominican Republic and Haiti followed by Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the U.S. state of Florida. Heavy rains and high winds are expected. (CNN)
Hurricane Elsa downgrades to a Tropical Storm and heads towards the Dominican Republic and Haiti followed by Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the U.S. state of Florida. Heavy rains and high winds are expected. (CNN)
Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen warns that all foreign troops must leave Afghanistan before a NATO deadline on September 11 amid reports that the U.S. military plans to keep 1,000 troops in Kabul in order to protect both its embassy and the Hamid Karzai International Airport. (BBC News)
Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen warns that all foreign troops must leave Afghanistan before a NATO deadline on September 11 amid reports that the U.S. military plans to keep 1,000 troops in Kabul in order to protect both its embassy and the Hamid Karzai International Airport. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccination in India Police arrested 14 people for administering fake vaccine shots of salt water instead of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at nearly a dozen private vaccination sites in Mumbai. The organizers, including medical professionals, charged between $10 and $17 per dose. More than 2,600 people paid to receive the vaccine. (The New York Times)
Police arrested 14 people for administering fake vaccine shots of salt water instead of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at nearly a dozen private vaccination sites in Mumbai. The organizers, including medical professionals, charged between $10 and $17 per dose. More than 2,600 people paid to receive the vaccine. (The New York Times)
Taliban insurgency The Taliban takes control of several further districts overnight as Afghan troops abandon their posts and flee into neighboring Tajikistan via Badakhshan Province. The State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan reports that more than 300 Afghan troops crossed the Tajik border as Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirms that most of the territory was gained without a fight. (AP)
The Taliban takes control of several further districts overnight as Afghan troops abandon their posts and flee into neighboring Tajikistan via Badakhshan Province. The State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan reports that more than 300 Afghan troops crossed the Tajik border as Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirms that most of the territory was gained without a fight. (AP)
LGBT rights in Georgia (country) Anti-LGBT right-wing groups storm and ransack the offices of an LGBT+ organization in Tbilisi, Georgia, ahead of the city's pride march. Activists say that equipment was lost during the attack. (Reuters) The pride march is later cancelled amid more homophobic attacks against LGBT people. Police have promised to investigate the attacks. (DW) (The Guardian)
The pride march is later cancelled amid more homophobic attacks against LGBT people. Police have promised to investigate the attacks. (DW) (The Guardian)
Indonesian police say that loss due to the burning that occurred in Elelim, the capital of Yalimo Regency, Papua, on 29 June was estimated at Rp 324 billion ($22.5 million). There were 34 offices, 126 shops, 115 motorbikes and 4 cars that were burned and 1,137 people have been displaced. The burning was carried out shortly after the Court's decision to order a re-voting without the participation of one of the regent candidates. (VOI)
Spillover of the War in Afghanistan, Afghanistan–Tajikistan relations Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon orders the mobilization of 20,000 military reservists to secure the border with Afghanistan in response to recent Taliban advances. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan Spillover of the War in Afghanistan, Afghanistan–Tajikistan relations Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon orders the mobilization of 20,000 military reservists to secure the border with Afghanistan in response to recent Taliban advances. (Reuters) Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2021) The Pentagon says that 90% of American troops have withdrawn from the country. (CNBC)
Nine people between the ages of 15 and 39 are arrested in Hong Kong during a police operation, and are accused of building bombs and planning attacks on the city's courts, transport networks and streets. Police said that they seized the explosives and stated that a hotel room was used as a laboratory for the construction of bombs. The motive behind the planned attacks is unknown. (BBC News)
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon orders the mobilization of 20,000 military reservists to secure the border with Afghanistan in response to recent Taliban advances. (Reuters)
Nuclear program of Iran The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France and Germany condemn Iran for planning to enrich uranium to 20 percent, which goes against the 2015 nuclear deal that the United States withdrew from in 2018, following the release of the information in a statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency. (The Algemeiner)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that Inuk leader Mary Simon has been appointed to be the 30th Governor General of Canada, the first Indigenous person to assume this role. Simon will succeed Chief Justice Richard Wagner, who has been acting as Administrator since the resignation of former Governor General Julie Payette in January. (CBC)
The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France and Germany condemn Iran for planning to enrich uranium to 20 percent, which goes against the 2015 nuclear deal that the United States withdrew from in 2018, following the release of the information in a statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency. (The Algemeiner)
The Pentagon says that 90% of American troops have withdrawn from the country. (CNBC)
Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2021) The Pentagon says that 90% of American troops have withdrawn from the country. (CNBC)
2021 Israeli presidential election Isaac Herzog is sworn in as the President of Israel in a ceremony at the Knesset, where he takes the oath of office using the same 107-year-old Bible that his father Chaim Herzog used when he assumed the presidency in 1983. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record for the second consecutive day of 791 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national total of cases to 7,940. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services also reports three deaths from COVID-19, all in Suva. (RNZ) The Fiji police warns citizens that those caught not wearing a face mask when outdoors or in lockdown or containment areas will be arrested under possible penalties of five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to FJ$10,000 or both, as the country faces a wave of COVID-19 cases. (FBC)
Isaac Herzog is sworn in as the President of Israel in a ceremony at the Knesset, where he takes the oath of office using the same 107-year-old Bible that his father Chaim Herzog used when he assumed the presidency in 1983. (The Times of Israel)
The Fiji police warns citizens that those caught not wearing a face mask when outdoors or in lockdown or containment areas will be arrested under possible penalties of five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to FJ$10,000 or both, as the country faces a wave of COVID-19 cases. (FBC)
The United States Armed Forces report that two personnel were injured in rocket attacks on Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, which houses US troops. (Al Jazeera)
2019 Bolivian political crisis Bolivia accuses Argentina of providing weaponry to the military and police of Bolivia during the 2019 Senkata and Sacaba Massacres. The Bolivian government also accuses former president of Argentina Mauricio Macri of wanting the assassination of Evo Morales during his ousting. Argentina was among the first countries to recognize the interim presidency of Jeanine Áñez in 2019. (A24)
2021 Samoan constitutional crisis The Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi party asks the Supreme Court to recognize the impromptu swearing-in of newly elected officials because, according to party leader Naomi Mataʻafa, all other venues were blocked when her party was locked out of Parliament. The Supreme Court had earlier rejected a similar petition but had granted a review. (RNZ)
Assassination of Jovenel Moïse Three of the assassins of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who was killed yesterday, are shot dead during a shootout with police in Port-au-Prince. Seventeen others are arrested, while six more are on the run. The attackers are identified as 26 Colombian mercenaries and two American-Haitians. The masterminds of the assassination and motive behind the assassination are unknown. (BBC News)
Bolivia accuses Argentina of providing weaponry to the military and police of Bolivia during the 2019 Senkata and Sacaba Massacres. The Bolivian government also accuses former president of Argentina Mauricio Macri of wanting the assassination of Evo Morales during his ousting. Argentina was among the first countries to recognize the interim presidency of Jeanine Áñez in 2019. (A24)
The Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi party asks the Supreme Court to recognize the impromptu swearing-in of newly elected officials because, according to party leader Naomi Mataʻafa, all other venues were blocked when her party was locked out of Parliament. The Supreme Court had earlier rejected a similar petition but had granted a review. (RNZ)
Three of the assassins of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who was killed yesterday, are shot dead during a shootout with police in Port-au-Prince. Seventeen others are arrested, while six more are on the run. The attackers are identified as 26 Colombian mercenaries and two American-Haitians. The masterminds of the assassination and motive behind the assassination are unknown. (BBC News)
A magnitude 5.9 ML earthquake strikes south of Lake Tahoe, near the California–Nevada state border, triggering a series of strong aftershocks. Though resulting in minimal damage and no casualties, it is the largest quake to hit the region in nearly 25 years. (USA Today)
Afghanistan–Tajikistan relations Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Suhail Shaheen says that the organization does not plan to attack the Afghan–Tajik border. (TASS)
American diplomats and troops in Iraq and Syria are targeted in three rocket and drone attacks in the past 24 hours, including at least 14 rockets hitting an Iraqi airbase, wounding two American soldiers. (Al Jazeera)
Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Suhail Shaheen says that the organization does not plan to attack the Afghan–Tajik border. (TASS)
Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan U.S. President Joe Biden announces that the United States will end its military mission in Afghanistan by August 31. Also, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says that the Biden administration will evacuate Afghan interpreters from the country. (CNBC) (Politico)
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict A Kyrgyzstan border guard is killed during clashes at the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border. (AKIPress)
A Kyrgyzstan border guard is killed during clashes at the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border. (AKIPress)
Assassination of Jovenel Moïse The Government of Colombia reports that 13 of the 26 Colombian mercenaries who killed Haitian President Jovenel Moïse were retired members of the National Army of Colombia. Two were killed during the gunfight with the police while the eleven others were arrested. (The New York Times) The Government of Haiti requests security and investigative assistance from the United States. (The Hill)
The Government of Colombia reports that 13 of the 26 Colombian mercenaries who killed Haitian President Jovenel Moïse were retired members of the National Army of Colombia. Two were killed during the gunfight with the police while the eleven others were arrested. (The New York Times)
Belarus–Lithuania relations, European migrant crisis Lithuania begins construction on a $48 million fence along its border with neighboring Belarus. A week prior, Lithuania had declared a state of emergency due to an increase in the number of undocumented migrants crossing into the country from Belarus, accusing Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of deliberately trying to destabilize the country by encouraging and allowing refugees, mostly Syrians, to illegally cross the border. (Newsweek)
French President Emmanuel Macron announces that he will reduce the presence of troops in the Sahel to between 2,500 and 3,000 over the long-term, and will also close bases in Timbuktu, Tessalit and Kidal in northern Mali, as part of a reorganization effort to focus on missions in the Malian, Nigerien, and Burkinese border regions. (Al Jazeera)
Lithuania begins construction on a $48 million fence along its border with neighboring Belarus. A week prior, Lithuania had declared a state of emergency due to an increase in the number of undocumented migrants crossing into the country from Belarus, accusing Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of deliberately trying to destabilize the country by encouraging and allowing refugees, mostly Syrians, to illegally cross the border. (Newsweek)
Operation Barkhane French President Emmanuel Macron announces that he will reduce the presence of troops in the Sahel to between 2,500 and 3,000 over the long-term, and will also close bases in Timbuktu, Tessalit and Kidal in northern Mali, as part of a reorganization effort to focus on missions in the Malian, Nigerien, and Burkinese border regions. (Al Jazeera)
The Government of Haiti requests security and investigative assistance from the United States. (The Hill)
A spokesperson for Kandahar Province Governor Rohullah Khanzada says that the Taliban has captured the city of Kandahar. (The New York Times)
California will require face masks in schools despite CDC guidelines saying that vaccinated students are not required to wear a mask. (Los Angeles Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California will require face masks in schools despite CDC guidelines saying that vaccinated students are not required to wear a mask. (Los Angeles Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba Cuban health regulator CECMED approves the emergency use of the domestically-produced Abdala vaccine, becoming the fifth COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the country. Manufacturers last month claimed that the vaccine, which requires three doses, has a 92% effectiveness rate against the virus. This makes Cuba the first Caribbean and Latin American country to successfully develop its own variation of the vaccine. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Malta announces that beginning on July 14, they will become the first country in Europe to close their borders to unvaccinated travellers, only allowing those with a Maltese, British or European vaccination certificate to enter following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California California will require face masks in schools despite CDC guidelines saying that vaccinated students are not required to wear a mask. (Los Angeles Times)
Cuban health regulator CECMED approves the emergency use of the domestically-produced Abdala vaccine, becoming the fifth COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the country. Manufacturers last month claimed that the vaccine, which requires three doses, has a 92% effectiveness rate against the virus. This makes Cuba the first Caribbean and Latin American country to successfully develop its own variation of the vaccine. (DW)
London police officer Wayne Couzens pleads guilty to the murder of Sarah Everard. (BBC News)
Malta announces that beginning on July 14, they will become the first country in Europe to close their borders to unvaccinated travellers, only allowing those with a Maltese, British or European vaccination certificate to enter following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Barron's)
Murder of Sarah Everard London police officer Wayne Couzens pleads guilty to the murder of Sarah Everard. (BBC News)
Surfside condominium building collapse The death toll in the Champlain Towers South condominium building collapse in Surfside, Florida, increases to 78, with the overnight recovery of 14 more bodies. (ABC News)
Taliban insurgents capture the border town of Torghundi on the border with Turkmenistan as the Afghan National Security Forces collapse in Herat. The Ministry of Interior Affairs says that troops had been "temporarily relocated" and that efforts are underway to recapture the border crossing. (TRT World)
The death toll in the Champlain Towers South condominium building collapse in Surfside, Florida, increases to 78, with the overnight recovery of 14 more bodies. (ABC News)
The Taliban captures the border town of Islam Qala, Herat, Afghanistan's biggest border crossing with Iran. (Associated Press) (India Times)
