Minister of Defense of Peru Walter Martos is named the new Prime Minister after the approval of the motion of no-confidence against Pedro Cateriano. (Expreso)
After a Legislative Yuan vote in July to emphasize "Taiwan" instead of "Republic of China" on the passport of the Republic of China, voting officially begins on the New Power Party's website for various new passport designs. The winner will be awarded in September. (Taiwan News)
Greece–Turkey relations Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces his country will resume energy exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean, saying Greece had repeatedly violated their agreement on the matter. (Al Jazeera)
Politics of Taiwan After a Legislative Yuan vote in July to emphasize "Taiwan" instead of "Republic of China" on the passport of the Republic of China, voting officially begins on the New Power Party's website for various new passport designs. The winner will be awarded in September. (Taiwan News)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces his country will resume energy exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean, saying Greece had repeatedly violated their agreement on the matter. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Belarusian protests On the eve of a presidential election, Belarusian security forces arrest Maria Moroz, the campaign manager of leading opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and three Open Russia activists who traveled to Belarus to "observe Sunday's presidential election". (DW)
On the eve of a presidential election, Belarusian security forces arrest Maria Moroz, the campaign manager of leading opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and three Open Russia activists who traveled to Belarus to "observe Sunday's presidential election". (DW)
War in Afghanistan August 2020 Afghanistan attacks At least seven policemen are killed and 15 others injured after a car bomb explodes outside a police station in Ghazni, Afghanistan. As yet nobody has claimed responsibility. (TOLONews) Afghan peace process Afghanistan's Loya Jirga approves to release 400 "hard-core" Taliban prisoners after deliberation. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he will sign the order and that doing this, the Afghan government complies with the Taliban demand of freeing prisoners to start intra-Afghan peace talks. (Reuters)
Afghan peace process Afghanistan's Loya Jirga approves to release 400 "hard-core" Taliban prisoners after deliberation. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he will sign the order and that doing this, the Afghan government complies with the Taliban demand of freeing prisoners to start intra-Afghan peace talks. (Reuters)
Afghanistan's Loya Jirga approves to release 400 "hard-core" Taliban prisoners after deliberation. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he will sign the order and that doing this, the Afghan government complies with the Taliban demand of freeing prisoners to start intra-Afghan peace talks. (Reuters)
Citizens of Belarus head to the polls to elect the country's president. Long-ruling Alexander Lukashenko is challenged by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya after her husband and pro-democracy activist Siarhei Tsikhanouski was jailed and banned from the vote like other prominent opposition figures. Protesters and journalists were also detained in the weeks leading to the election. (DW)
A state television exit poll shows President Alexander Lukashenko winning 79.7% of the vote. These results have been dismissed by the main opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who criticized them has "massively rigged". (BBC News) (The Guardian)
2019–2020 Lebanese protests, aftermath of the 2020 Beirut explosions Prime Minister Hassan Diab announces the resignation of the entire government as protests grow over their handling of the Beirut explosions on 4 August. (Reuters)
2020 Trinidad and Tobago general election Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago cast their votes in the country's general election. (Foreign Brief)
Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago cast their votes in the country's general election. (Foreign Brief)
Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth warns that the tanker may "break in two" as the country awaits help from other nations that have pledged aid amid a state of emergency. Jugnauth adds the nation lacks the skills and resources needed to relocate the wrecked vessel, and that the nation will likely never recover from the ecological damage done by the spill. (BBC News) (CBS)
MV Wakashio oil spill Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth warns that the tanker may "break in two" as the country awaits help from other nations that have pledged aid amid a state of emergency. Jugnauth adds the nation lacks the skills and resources needed to relocate the wrecked vessel, and that the nation will likely never recover from the ecological damage done by the spill. (BBC News) (CBS)
Prime Minister Hassan Diab announces the resignation of the entire government as protests grow over their handling of the Beirut explosions on 4 August. (Reuters)
Afghan peace process Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen warns that attacks on newly freed prisoners will drive them back to the battlefield despite orders from their leaders. The government denies attacking, or re-arresting them without cause. (The Hour)
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen warns that attacks on newly freed prisoners will drive them back to the battlefield despite orders from their leaders. The government denies attacking, or re-arresting them without cause. (The Hour)
2020 Belarusian presidential election, 2020 Belarusian protests Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya flees Belarus to her family in Lithuania, according to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Antanas Linkevičius. Tsikhanouskaya had gone into hiding after the disputed election, which she accuses President Alexander Lukashenko of rigging. (Reuters)
2020 Malian protests Anti-government protests resume in the Malian capital of Bamako, as thousands take to the street demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta after talks between the government and the protesters stalled. (Al Jazeera)
2020 United States presidential election, 2020 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection Former Vice President Joe Biden chooses Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, making her the presumptive 2020 Democratic vice presidential nominee. She is the first black woman and first Asian-American vice presidential nominee for a major party. (CNN)
Anti-government protests resume in the Malian capital of Bamako, as thousands take to the street demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta after talks between the government and the protesters stalled. (Al Jazeera)
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya flees Belarus to her family in Lithuania, according to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Antanas Linkevičius. Tsikhanouskaya had gone into hiding after the disputed election, which she accuses President Alexander Lukashenko of rigging. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, COVID-19 vaccine Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the approval of a vaccine against COVID‑19, named Gam-COVID-Vac, claiming it as a "world-first", amid continued concern and unanswered questions over its safety and effectiveness. (CNN)
Former Vice President Joe Biden chooses Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, making her the presumptive 2020 Democratic vice presidential nominee. She is the first black woman and first Asian-American vice presidential nominee for a major party. (CNN)
Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the approval of a vaccine against COVID‑19, named Gam-COVID-Vac, claiming it as a "world-first", amid continued concern and unanswered questions over its safety and effectiveness. (CNN)
Belarus–Lithuania relations, 2020 Belarusian protests Lithuania allows "unrestricted entry" to all Belarusians "for humanitarian purposes" amid anti-government protests and political repression in neighbouring Belarus. Existing COVID-19 restrictions will not apply to Belarusians. (The Baltic Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports the largest rise of COVID-19 cases since the lockdown was lifted in May, with 2,524 new cases being reported in the last 24 hours. (BBC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Germany The number of COVID-19 cases in Germany rises by 1,226, which is the biggest daily rise since May, according to the Robert Koch Institute, as the health minister warns of outbreaks in nearly all parts of the country due to vacation returnees and partygoers. (Swiss Info) (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany The number of COVID-19 cases in Germany rises by 1,226, which is the biggest daily rise since May, according to the Robert Koch Institute, as the health minister warns of outbreaks in nearly all parts of the country due to vacation returnees and partygoers. (Swiss Info) (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Peru President Martín Vizcarra bans family gatherings and extends a lockdown to five more regions, following a 75% surge in COVID-19 cases among children and adolescents. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Peru President Martín Vizcarra bans family gatherings and extends a lockdown to five more regions, following a 75% surge in COVID-19 cases among children and adolescents. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Jorge Rodríguez, incumbent Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information announces he tested positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics, COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delays dissolution of Parliament until 17 August, due to resurgence of COVID-19. (ABC News Australia)
Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Islamist insurgents linked to ISIL seize control of the port city of Mocímboa da Praia in northern Mozambique, after days of heavy fighting with government forces. Soldiers reportedly abandoned their positions and fled the city on boats after becoming outnumbered, as several fellow soldiers were killed by the militants. (BBC News)
Iraq cancels a ministerial meeting and summons the Turkish ambassador as Iraq blames Turkey for a drone strike that killed two high-ranking Iraqi military officers. Officials called it a "blatant Turkish drone attack" in the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq. (Al Jazeera)
Islamist insurgents linked to ISIL seize control of the port city of Mocímboa da Praia in northern Mozambique, after days of heavy fighting with government forces. Soldiers reportedly abandoned their positions and fled the city on boats after becoming outnumbered, as several fellow soldiers were killed by the militants. (BBC News)
Lithuania allows "unrestricted entry" to all Belarusians "for humanitarian purposes" amid anti-government protests and political repression in neighbouring Belarus. Existing COVID-19 restrictions will not apply to Belarusians. (The Baltic Times)
President Martín Vizcarra bans family gatherings and extends a lockdown to five more regions, following a 75% surge in COVID-19 cases among children and adolescents. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delays dissolution of Parliament until 17 August, due to resurgence of COVID-19. (ABC News Australia)
The number of COVID-19 cases in Germany rises by 1,226, which is the biggest daily rise since May, according to the Robert Koch Institute, as the health minister warns of outbreaks in nearly all parts of the country due to vacation returnees and partygoers. (Swiss Info) (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Jorge Rodríguez, incumbent Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information announces he tested positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
2020 Bolivian general election The interim government of Bolivia confirms that the elections will be held on October 18. Anyone who tries to change the date may face penalties. Opposition parties called to have the elections sooner after the elections earlier this year were postponed because of COVID-19. Protesters have blocked streets and protested calling for the elections to take place sooner, after it was announced in July. The European Union and United Nations support the new election date. (Reuters)
The interim government of Bolivia confirms that the elections will be held on October 18. Anyone who tries to change the date may face penalties. Opposition parties called to have the elections sooner after the elections earlier this year were postponed because of COVID-19. Protesters have blocked streets and protested calling for the elections to take place sooner, after it was announced in July. The European Union and United Nations support the new election date. (Reuters)
Belarusian women form human chains to condemn a crackdown on protests over the disputed election. (BBC News)
Factory workers from state-run factories joined the protest. Tens of thousands of people protested for the fifth day in a row against the election results. The protesters marched through Minsk and formed human chains. (Reuters)
France deploys two Dassault Rafale fighter jets and the frigate La Fayette to the eastern Mediterranean because of tensions between Greece and Turkey over oil and gas exploration in disputed waters. French President Emmanuel Macron says the French military will monitor the situation. (BBC News)
Greek–Turkish relations France deploys two Dassault Rafale fighter jets and the frigate La Fayette to the eastern Mediterranean because of tensions between Greece and Turkey over oil and gas exploration in disputed waters. French President Emmanuel Macron says the French military will monitor the situation. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza signs an order requiring anyone arriving from Croatia, Greece, Spain, and Malta to be tested for COVID-19 in an attempt to avoid a spike of new cases in the country. The country is also banning travellers from Colombia over concerns of new infections. (Swiss Info) (Euronews)
Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza signs an order requiring anyone arriving from Croatia, Greece, Spain, and Malta to be tested for COVID-19 in an attempt to avoid a spike of new cases in the country. The country is also banning travellers from Colombia over concerns of new infections. (Swiss Info) (Euronews)
2020 Belarusian protests Amnesty International says "widespread torture" is taking place inside detention centres in Belarus, with more than 6,700 people detained since protests against Lukashenko broke out following the disputed presidential election result. Amnesty International says detainees described being stripped naked, beaten and threatened with rape. The BBC also reports evidence of torture, including at the Okrestina detention centre in Minsk. (CNN) (BBC News)
Amnesty International says "widespread torture" is taking place inside detention centres in Belarus, with more than 6,700 people detained since protests against Lukashenko broke out following the disputed presidential election result. Amnesty International says detainees described being stripped naked, beaten and threatened with rape. The BBC also reports evidence of torture, including at the Okrestina detention centre in Minsk. (CNN) (BBC News)
Belarus–Lithuania relations, 2020 Belarusian presidential election, 2020 Belarusian protests Lithuania becomes the first EU state to openly reject the legitimacy of Alexander Lukashenko as President of Belarus. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda says "We can not call Mister Lukashenko legitimate because there were no free democratic elections in Belarus". (Urdu Point)
Lithuania becomes the first EU state to openly reject the legitimacy of Alexander Lukashenko as President of Belarus. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda says "We can not call Mister Lukashenko legitimate because there were no free democratic elections in Belarus". (Urdu Point)
Amid an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases, the government of Spain closes all nightclubs and bans smoking in public sites in the event that the social distancing is not assured. (CBS News) (Politico)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports 2,846 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, as well as more than 12,300 new cases this week, making it the highest number of cases since the lockdown was eased in May. (The New York Times) (The Telegraph) The government declares Paris and Marseilles as "active zones", or high-risk zones. The move allows local authorities in those designated areas to impose restrictions. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Amid an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases, the government of Spain closes all nightclubs and bans smoking in public sites in the event that the social distancing is not assured. (CBS News) (Politico)
The government declares Paris and Marseilles as "active zones", or high-risk zones. The move allows local authorities in those designated areas to impose restrictions. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the current Alert Level settings will be extended for another 12 days. (Newshub)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the current Alert Level settings will be extended for another 12 days. (Newshub)
Sanctions on Iran The United Nations Security Council has resoundingly rejected a United States bid to extend a global arms embargo on Iran. In a Security Council vote, United States only got support from the Dominican Republic for its resolution to indefinitely extend the arms embargo on Iran, leaving it far short of the minimum nine "yes" votes required for adoption. Eleven members on the 15-member body, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, abstained while Russia and China opposed extending the ban but did not need to use their vetoes. (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)
The United Nations Security Council has resoundingly rejected a United States bid to extend a global arms embargo on Iran. In a Security Council vote, United States only got support from the Dominican Republic for its resolution to indefinitely extend the arms embargo on Iran, leaving it far short of the minimum nine "yes" votes required for adoption. Eleven members on the 15-member body, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, abstained while Russia and China opposed extending the ban but did not need to use their vetoes. (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)
2020 Thai protests Student activist Parit Chiwarak is released on bail after being arrested on Friday for co-organising a rally in July. He was charged with violating the COVID-19 measures and breaching internal security. Protests have been taking place in Thailand since July against the government. Parit Chiwarak has said he will continue to protest against the government and for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Reuters)
Aftermath of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election The leaders of the Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, issue a joint statement calling on Belarus to hold a new "free and fair" election with international observers. (RFE/RL)
Argentine debt restructuring The government approves a proposed deal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to restructure around $65 billion in foreign government bonds, following President Alberto Fernández's successful negotiations with creditors and the International Monetary Fund the previous week after the country defaulted in May. The government plans to submit the proposal to the SEC on August 17. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The government of the Netherlands issues a travel warning advising the public not to travel to some places, including Paris, the region surrounding Marseilles, Brussels, Ibiza and Mallorca. The warnings come as a response to an increase in new cases in Spain, France and Belgium. (NL Times)
Student activist Parit Chiwarak is released on bail after being arrested on Friday for co-organising a rally in July. He was charged with violating the COVID-19 measures and breaching internal security. Protests have been taking place in Thailand since July against the government. Parit Chiwarak has said he will continue to protest against the government and for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Reuters)
The government approves a proposed deal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to restructure around $65 billion in foreign government bonds, following President Alberto Fernández's successful negotiations with creditors and the International Monetary Fund the previous week after the country defaulted in May. The government plans to submit the proposal to the SEC on August 17. (Reuters)
The government of the Netherlands issues a travel warning advising the public not to travel to some places, including Paris, the region surrounding Marseilles, Brussels, Ibiza and Mallorca. The warnings come as a response to an increase in new cases in Spain, France and Belgium. (NL Times)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The government of the Netherlands issues a travel warning advising the public not to travel to some places, including Paris, the region surrounding Marseilles, Brussels, Ibiza and Mallorca. The warnings come as a response to an increase in new cases in Spain, France and Belgium. (NL Times)
2020 Belarusian protests President Alexander Lukashenko issues an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin as he considers the protests "not a threat to just Belarus anymore". Statements by both sides contained a pointed reference to the Union State between the two countries. Meanwhile, opposition candidate leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is exiled in Lithuania, calls for more protests. (Reuters)
Afghanistan–France relations, Afghan peace process Amidst the release of "hardcore" Taliban prisoners, the French government asks the Afghan government not to release those involved in the killing of French citizens. (Reuters)
After a spike in new cases, the government decides to tighten social distancing measures in Seoul and surrounding areas. Many measures that are to be implemented include restricting numbers of gatherings and sports events played behind closed doors. (Tempo)
Amidst the release of "hardcore" Taliban prisoners, the French government asks the Afghan government not to release those involved in the killing of French citizens. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria Algeria begins to reopen their mosques, beaches, cafes, and parks five months after their lockdown. (ABC News) COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa announces a plan to ease nearly all restrictions on the economy from August 17, including lifting a controversial ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco that had been imposed in July, as infections peak. (BBC News)
