Chief of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj orders a ceasefire in all the territory of Libya. The statement ordered "to all military forces to immediately ceasefire and all combat operations in all Libyan territories". (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel surpasses 100,000 cases as the government struggles with a resurgence of infections. The death tally stands at 809. (Al Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports 947 new cases, touching the same levels recorded in mid-May, when the government started easing its stringent lockdown measures. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon, Lebanese liquidity crisis The S&P Global Ratings downgrades Lebanon's credit rating for its external debt to "selective default" (SD), following defaults due to the resignation of the government in the aftermath of the August 4 explosion in Beirut and the implementation of a two-week lockdown from August 18 following a surge in infections. (AFP via France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar The state government of Rakhine imposes a night-time curfew in the state's capital of Sittwe, after the Ministry of Health and Sports reported a surge in local cases. (Anadolu Agency)
Israel surpasses 100,000 cases as the government struggles with a resurgence of infections. The death tally stands at 809. (Al Arabiya)
Italy reports 947 new cases, touching the same levels recorded in mid-May, when the government started easing its stringent lockdown measures. (Anadolu Agency)
The S&P Global Ratings downgrades Lebanon's credit rating for its external debt to "selective default" (SD), following defaults due to the resignation of the government in the aftermath of the August 4 explosion in Beirut and the implementation of a two-week lockdown from August 18 following a surge in infections. (AFP via France 24)
The state government of Rakhine imposes a night-time curfew in the state's capital of Sittwe, after the Ministry of Health and Sports reported a surge in local cases. (Anadolu Agency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that the drilling ship Fatih has found 320 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves in the Black Sea, Turkey's biggest natural gas find to date. If Turkey can extract the gas commercially, it will be able to reduce its reliance on imported energy. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Vice Chancellor and Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announces a plan to loan around €218 billion ($258bn) for a bailout to mitigate the impact of the country's recession caused by the pandemic, thereby suspending the debt brake. (CGTN) COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The UK's national debt exceeds £2 trillion ($2.61tn) for the first time, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. (AFP via New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Vice Chancellor and Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announces a plan to loan around €218 billion ($258bn) for a bailout to mitigate the impact of the country's recession caused by the pandemic, thereby suspending the debt brake. (CGTN)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Irish Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary resigns after attending a golf dinner with more than 80 people, which came a day after Dublin announced a tightening of lockdown restrictions. Gardaí are now investigating possible breaches of COVID-19 regulations on the event. (BBC News)
Irish Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary resigns after attending a golf dinner with more than 80 people, which came a day after Dublin announced a tightening of lockdown restrictions. Gardaí are now investigating possible breaches of COVID-19 regulations on the event. (BBC News)
Vice Chancellor and Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announces a plan to loan around €218 billion ($258bn) for a bailout to mitigate the impact of the country's recession caused by the pandemic, thereby suspending the debt brake. (CGTN)
War in Afghanistan Afghan peace process, August 2020 Afghanistan attacks At least 14 security forces are killed across Afghanistan in attacks in Takhar, Badakhshan, and Kabul. The Taliban claims responsibility for the first two attacks but denies involvement in Kabul's. The group reiterated that it will not enter peace talks with the government until all prisoners are released. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Ivorian presidential election Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara is formally chosen by his party, the Rally of the Republicans, to run for a third term in the October election. However, opposition and civil society groups claim the move is unconstitutional, as the Constitution limits a president to only two terms. (France 24)
2020 Northern Territory general election Australia's Northern Territory re-elects the incumbent Labor Party government. (ABC)
Afghan peace process, August 2020 Afghanistan attacks At least 14 security forces are killed across Afghanistan in attacks in Takhar, Badakhshan, and Kabul. The Taliban claims responsibility for the first two attacks but denies involvement in Kabul's. The group reiterated that it will not enter peace talks with the government until all prisoners are released. (Al Jazeera)
At least 14 security forces are killed across Afghanistan in attacks in Takhar, Badakhshan, and Kabul. The Taliban claims responsibility for the first two attacks but denies involvement in Kabul's. The group reiterated that it will not enter peace talks with the government until all prisoners are released. (Al Jazeera)
Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara is formally chosen by his party, the Rally of the Republicans, to run for a third term in the October election. However, opposition and civil society groups claim the move is unconstitutional, as the Constitution limits a president to only two terms. (France 24)
Australia's Northern Territory re-elects the incumbent Labor Party government. (ABC)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, 2020 United States Postal Service crisis In a 257–150 vote, the House of Representatives approves a bill that would reverse changes to the operations of the Postal Service implemented by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, amid a series of backlogs and delays in the delivery of mail following his appointment in June. The bill also aims to provide the agency financial support worth $25 billion in preparation for an expected surge in postal voting in the upcoming election due to the pandemic. (AP via Philippine Daily Inquirer)
In a 257–150 vote, the House of Representatives approves a bill that would reverse changes to the operations of the Postal Service implemented by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, amid a series of backlogs and delays in the delivery of mail following his appointment in June. The bill also aims to provide the agency financial support worth $25 billion in preparation for an expected surge in postal voting in the upcoming election due to the pandemic. (AP via Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Second Libyan Civil War A spokesman for Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) rejects a ceasefire proposed by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and says it is a "marketing stunt". He says GNA forces are mobilising in different fronts in the country and the LNA will defend from any attack on its positions around Sirte and Jufra. Yesterday, the High Council of State, which advises the GNA, rejected dialogue with Haftar. (Al Jazeera)
A spokesman for Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) rejects a ceasefire proposed by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and says it is a "marketing stunt". He says GNA forces are mobilising in different fronts in the country and the LNA will defend from any attack on its positions around Sirte and Jufra. Yesterday, the High Council of State, which advises the GNA, rejected dialogue with Haftar. (Al Jazeera)
Counselor to the U.S. President Kellyanne Conway announces her resignation, effective at the end of the month. (AP via Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports a post-lockdown record of 4,897 new cases in the last 24 hours, as the French health minister Olivier Véran warns that the situation is risky and that infections are essentially happening amongst people ages 20 to 40 at parties. (France 24) COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is reportedly in serious condition, according to one of her party's spokespeople, after testing positive for COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports a post-lockdown record of 4,897 new cases in the last 24 hours, as the French health minister Olivier Véran warns that the situation is risky and that infections are essentially happening amongst people ages 20 to 40 at parties. (France 24)
France reports a post-lockdown record of 4,897 new cases in the last 24 hours, as the French health minister Olivier Véran warns that the situation is risky and that infections are essentially happening amongst people ages 20 to 40 at parties. (France 24)
Trump administration dismissals and resignations Counselor to the U.S. President Kellyanne Conway announces her resignation, effective at the end of the month. (AP via Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is reportedly in serious condition, according to one of her party's spokespeople, after testing positive for COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is reportedly in serious condition, according to one of her party's spokespeople, after testing positive for COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
2020 United States presidential election The 2020 Republican National Convention begins, running until Thursday. Incumbents President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to be officially nominated to run for re-election, facing off against former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris in November. (CNN)
An armed assault erupts on Sunday and continues into today in Bugarama, Rumonge, Burundi between militants and security forces, leaving at least 15 people dead. A group named Red Tabara, based in Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, claims responsibility and says that the election of past May won by Évariste Ndayishimiye were a "farce" and calls for new elections. The Burundian army did not comment on the attack. (Reuters)
Syrian civil war A major blackout is reported in Syria after an explosion hits the Arab Gas Pipeline in the Rif Dimashq Governorate. Syrian Oil Minister Ali Ghanem says the explosion was a "terrorist attack", but does not elaborate on who was behind it. (Al Jazeera)
The 2020 Republican National Convention begins, running until Thursday. Incumbents President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to be officially nominated to run for re-election, facing off against former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris in November. (CNN)
2020 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election Durham MP and former Minister of Veterans Affairs Erin O'Toole is elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party and new Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons. (CTV News)
A major blackout is reported in Syria after an explosion hits the Arab Gas Pipeline in the Rif Dimashq Governorate. Syrian Oil Minister Ali Ghanem says the explosion was a "terrorist attack", but does not elaborate on who was behind it. (Al Jazeera)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sets the date for a referendum on a new constitution for November 1. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that Auckland will remain in Alert level 3 until 11:59 p.m. local time on August 30. (Newshub)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victorian premier Daniel Andrews proposes to extend the state of emergency to at least September 2021. (9News) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that Auckland will remain in Alert level 3 until 11:59 p.m. local time on August 30. (Newshub)
Durham MP and former Minister of Veterans Affairs Erin O'Toole is elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party and new Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons. (CTV News)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that Auckland will remain in Alert level 3 until 11:59 p.m. local time on August 30. (Newshub)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson reverses an earlier advice against the wearing of face masks by secondary education students in local lockdown areas of England, following protests from head teachers and academic organisations against the earlier advice. Meanwhile, schools in areas of England not subject to tighter restrictions are given the discretion on whether to mandate the wearing of face masks for its students. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson reverses an earlier advice against the wearing of face masks by secondary education students in local lockdown areas of England, following protests from head teachers and academic organisations against the earlier advice. Meanwhile, schools in areas of England not subject to tighter restrictions are given the discretion on whether to mandate the wearing of face masks for its students. (The Guardian)
Ethiopia–Sudan relations Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed meets with the Sudanese leadership in Khartoum to discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (Reuters)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed meets with the Sudanese leadership in Khartoum to discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (Reuters)
China–United States trade war American retailer Walmart announces its partnership with Microsoft for a bid to acquire the Chinese-based video sharing service TikTok, which faces a ban in the United States through President Donald Trump's executive order if its parent company ByteDance fails to sell the app's operations to an American corporation. (AFP via Bangkok Post)
Fiji's opposition parties condemn the government over the handling of the dengue fever and leptospirosis outbreaks, saying that the government has not informed the public of the seriousness of the diseases. Vice-president of the National Federation Party (NFP) Lenora Qereqeretabua says that the government needs to urgently develop a plan and also condemns what she considers is a mishandling of COVID-19. (RNZ)
War in Afghanistan Four civilians in flooded Parwan are killed in clashes between the Afghan military and the Taliban. The group did not comment on the killings ahead of peace talks to start soon between the group and the government. (ABC Australia)
2020 Malian coup d'état Ousted Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta is freed by military authorities, a military junta spokesman informs. "He was freed this morning, [and] he has returned to his home", said the spokesman without elaborating. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 pandemic in Czech Republic, COVID-19 pandemic in Jamaica, COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland The British government removes Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Jamaica from the travel corridor list due to rising COVID-19 infection rates. It means that arrivals from those countries will have to self-quarantine for two weeks, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed. The change will come into effect on Saturday at 4:00 a.m. BST. (The Guardian)
Egypt–Greece relations The Hellenic Parliament formally ratifies a maritime agreement with Egypt, that defines maritime boundaries and an exclusive economic zone between the two countries in the Mediterranean Sea. (Reuters)
Four civilians in flooded Parwan are killed in clashes between the Afghan military and the Taliban. The group did not comment on the killings ahead of peace talks to start soon between the group and the government. (ABC Australia)
Ousted Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta is freed by military authorities, a military junta spokesman informs. "He was freed this morning, [and] he has returned to his home", said the spokesman without elaborating. (Reuters)
The British government removes Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Jamaica from the travel corridor list due to rising COVID-19 infection rates. It means that arrivals from those countries will have to self-quarantine for two weeks, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed. The change will come into effect on Saturday at 4:00 a.m. BST. (The Guardian)
The Hellenic Parliament formally ratifies a maritime agreement with Egypt, that defines maritime boundaries and an exclusive economic zone between the two countries in the Mediterranean Sea. (Reuters)
The National Assembly temporarily closes and a group of more than ten Democratic Party officials, including the party chairman Lee Hae-chan and parliamentary leader Kim Tae-nyeon, undergo screening tests and are placed in self-quarantine after a photojournalist covering a meeting of the ruling party tested positive for COVID-19. (Euronews)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 pandemic in Czech Republic, COVID-19 pandemic in Jamaica, COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland The British government removes Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Jamaica from the travel corridor list due to rising COVID-19 infection rates. It means that arrivals from those countries will have to self-quarantine for two weeks, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed. The change will come into effect on Saturday at 4:00 a.m. BST. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Prime Minister Jean Castex announces the mandatory wearing of face masks throughout Paris after officials released statistics indicating a resurgence of cases throughout the country. (AFP via RTL Today) France records its highest number of new daily infections since the end of the lockdown in early May, with an additional 6,111 cases reported over the past 24 hours, making it the second highest ever, after 7,578 new cases set on March 30. (BBC News) (France 24)
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces the mandatory wearing of face masks throughout Paris after officials released statistics indicating a resurgence of cases throughout the country. (AFP via RTL Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador The International Monetary Fund reaches an agreement with the government of Ecuador to lend $6.5 billion to help fund the country's economy amid the pandemic and the subsequent fall in oil prices and finalize a debt restructuring deal with its international investors. (Financial Times)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador The International Monetary Fund reaches an agreement with the government of Ecuador to lend $6.5 billion to help fund the country's economy amid the pandemic and the subsequent fall in oil prices and finalize a debt restructuring deal with its international investors. (Financial Times)
MV Wakashio oil spill The death toll of dolphins in Mauritius rises to 38, according to a government official. The dolphins showed signs of wounds but no trace of hydrocarbons in their bodies. Greenpeace urged yesterday the government to launch an "urgent investigation to determine the cause of the deaths and any ties to the Wakashio oil spill". (Reuters)
Prime Minister of Libya Fayez al-Sarraj, of the Government of National Accord in Tripoli, suspends Minister of Interior Fathi Bashagha from duties. Sarraj says Bashaga will be investigated over a violent crackdown on street protests. (Reuters)
The death toll of dolphins in Mauritius rises to 38, according to a government official. The dolphins showed signs of wounds but no trace of hydrocarbons in their bodies. Greenpeace urged yesterday the government to launch an "urgent investigation to determine the cause of the deaths and any ties to the Wakashio oil spill". (Reuters)
The government announces that the Lilongwe International Airport and all public schools in the country will reopen on September 1 and 7, respectively, following a reported significant decrease in new cases and deaths. (Anadolu Agency)
The International Monetary Fund reaches an agreement with the government of Ecuador to lend $6.5 billion to help fund the country's economy amid the pandemic and the subsequent fall in oil prices and finalize a debt restructuring deal with its international investors. (Financial Times)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet says that the life of top Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is "at serious risk" after receiving multiple death threats via phone calls and social media. His hospital is located in the middle of a conflict zone and the Congolese government pledged to protect him after he survived an assassination attempt years ago. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces that the country's level 2 restrictions, set to expire on August 30, would be extended for at least another week until September 6 as the Ministry of Health and Welfare reports over 370 new infections over the past 24 hours. (Anadolu Agency)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announces his intention to resign due to his deteriorating health. (CNN) (Kyodo News)
Officials in Niger say that floods have killed 45 people and displaced more than 226,000 people since Monday, after torrential rains caused the Niger River to overflow. Prime Minister Brigi Rafini pledges aid. (AP)
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces that the country's level 2 restrictions, set to expire on August 30, would be extended for at least another week until September 6 as the Ministry of Health and Welfare reports over 370 new infections over the past 24 hours. (Anadolu Agency)
2020 Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) leadership election The Liberal Democratic Party in Japan is set to pick the next Prime Minister around September 15 after the sudden resignation of current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba and former foreign minister Fumio Kishida announce they intend to run but Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and defense minister Taro Kono are considered the potential candidates. Environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi is also a candidate but deemed "too young" by party's veterans. (Reuters)
