Hurricane Isaias heads toward the Bahamas and the U.S. as a category 1 hurricane, after causing floods and landslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. A hurricane warning is issued for Florida's Atlantic Coast. (DW) (The Weather Channel)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama. The storm, strength slightly reduced to 75 mph (120 km/h) with heavy rains and coastal flooding, will move over the Straits of Florida tonight and approach the southeast coast of Florida early Sunday. North Carolina orders the evacuation of Ocracoke Island. (USA Today) (National Hurricane Center)
Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama. The storm, strength slightly reduced to 75 mph (120 km/h) with heavy rains and coastal flooding, will move over the Straits of Florida tonight and approach the southeast coast of Florida early Sunday. North Carolina orders the evacuation of Ocracoke Island. (USA Today) (National Hurricane Center)
Hurricane Isaias Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama. The storm, strength slightly reduced to 75 mph (120 km/h) with heavy rains and coastal flooding, will move over the Straits of Florida tonight and approach the southeast coast of Florida early Sunday. North Carolina orders the evacuation of Ocracoke Island. (USA Today) (National Hurricane Center)
The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence announces the detainment of Jamshid Sharmahd, the leader of the pro-Pahlavi group Kingdom Assembly of Iran, for coordinating the 2008 attack on worshippers in Shiraz. (Reuters)
A tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), Isaias is less than a mile off the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Florida's Atlantic Coast, moving north-northwest at about 8 mph (13 km/h). Tropical storm warnings have been issued as far north as Surf City, North Carolina. (Orlando Sentinel) (National Hurricane Center)
Boko Haram insurgency Nguetchewe attack Suspected Boko Haram militants attack an IDP camp with a grenade in Far North, Cameroon, killing 16 people and wounding six others. (Reuters)
Mexican Drug War Guanajuato state officials announce that Mexican security forces captured former Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel leader José Antonio Yépez Ortiz alongside five other people. (Al Jazeera)
Nguetchewe attack Suspected Boko Haram militants attack an IDP camp with a grenade in Far North, Cameroon, killing 16 people and wounding six others. (Reuters)
Suspected Boko Haram militants attack an IDP camp with a grenade in Far North, Cameroon, killing 16 people and wounding six others. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii A military spokesman says that plans to undertake joint military exercises with the U.S. military have been suspended after nine Thai soldiers who returned from Hawaii tested positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
Guanajuato state officials announce that Mexican security forces captured former Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel leader José Antonio Yépez Ortiz alongside five other people. (Al Jazeera)
War in Afghanistan August 2020 Afghanistan attacks Jalalabad prison attack The military retake a prison in Jalalabad, Nangarhar that came under attack yesterday by ISIL, resulting in a mass jailbreak and shootout between Afghan forces and jihadists that ended today. At least 29 people are killed and 50 injured, among them civilians, prisoners, guards and Afghan security forces. (AP)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)
A leaked UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea report says several states believe North Korea has "probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles". (Reuters)
August 2020 Afghanistan attacks Jalalabad prison attack The military retake a prison in Jalalabad, Nangarhar that came under attack yesterday by ISIL, resulting in a mass jailbreak and shootout between Afghan forces and jihadists that ended today. At least 29 people are killed and 50 injured, among them civilians, prisoners, guards and Afghan security forces. (AP)
Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)
Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)
Jalalabad prison attack The military retake a prison in Jalalabad, Nangarhar that came under attack yesterday by ISIL, resulting in a mass jailbreak and shootout between Afghan forces and jihadists that ended today. At least 29 people are killed and 50 injured, among them civilians, prisoners, guards and Afghan security forces. (AP)
North Korea and weapons of mass destruction A leaked UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea report says several states believe North Korea has "probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles". (Reuters)
The military retake a prison in Jalalabad, Nangarhar that came under attack yesterday by ISIL, resulting in a mass jailbreak and shootout between Afghan forces and jihadists that ended today. At least 29 people are killed and 50 injured, among them civilians, prisoners, guards and Afghan security forces. (AP)
Several Beirut port officials are placed under house arrest as an investigation starts into how 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate was left unsecured at a warehouse at the port for six years. (ITV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a record high of 1,271 new COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to statement from National Security and Defense Council. (The New York Times)
Saudi state news agency SPA says Saudi Armed Forces shot down an explosive-laden drone launched against Saudi territory from Al Hudaydah Governorate, on Yemen's Red Sea coast. The Houthis report a Saudi air strike on Saada Governorate. (Reuters)
Two security alerts are triggered in Belfast aimed at the newly formed East Belfast GAA team. The bomb threats are later deemed as hoaxes aiming to destabilize the team which is aiming to bring together both sides of the political divide. (BBC News)
Bohumín arson attack A fire at a 13-story apartment complex in Bohumín, Czech Republic, kills eleven people and injures ten others. Rescue workers say all of those who died resided on the 11th and 12th floors of the building, with five of them jumping from the windows "in a panic". (ABC News)
LGBT rights in Poland The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Dunja Mijatović urges Polish authorities to "immediately release" an LGBT rights activist detained on Friday. The activist was arrested on charges of hooliganism and vandalism. Yesterday, 48 pro-LGBT protesters were also arrested when they tried to stop police from detaining the activist. (The First News) Thousands of protesters march in front of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, demanding the release of the activist. (Reuters)
Somali Civil War 2020 Mogadishu army base bombing A suicide bombing at a military base in Mogadishu kills at least eight people and injures fourteen others. Jihadist group al-Shabaab claims responsibility. (Reuters)
Thousands of protesters march in front of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, demanding the release of the activist. (Reuters)
2020 Mogadishu army base bombing A suicide bombing at a military base in Mogadishu kills at least eight people and injures fourteen others. Jihadist group al-Shabaab claims responsibility. (Reuters)
A suicide bombing at a military base in Mogadishu kills at least eight people and injures fourteen others. Jihadist group al-Shabaab claims responsibility. (Reuters)
A 17-year-old Chili's hostess is hospitalized after being attacked at a Chili's restaurant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after telling a large group of women that they may not share a table due to safety regulations regarding the coronavirus. The hostess has no plans to return to the Chili's restaurant where she was attacked. (MSN)
Kouré shooting Six French aid workers, their driver, and a local guide are shot dead by gunmen in an attack on a group of aid workers in Kouré, Tillabéri, Niger. (BBC News)
Maghreb insurgency Kouré shooting Six French aid workers, their driver, and a local guide are shot dead by gunmen in an attack on a group of aid workers in Kouré, Tillabéri, Niger. (BBC News)
Six French aid workers, their driver, and a local guide are shot dead by gunmen in an attack on a group of aid workers in Kouré, Tillabéri, Niger. (BBC News)
Terrorism in Pakistan 2020 Chaman bombing A motorcycle bomb kills five people and injures 20 others in Chaman, Killa Abdullah, Balochistan, Pakistan. (Dawn)
At least ten people have been killed in a shootout between jailed Al-Shabaab militants and security officers at a prison in Mogadishu, Somalia. An investigation is under way into how the militants obtained weapons, with some reports suggested that an inmate disarmed a warden and then a group of them raided the armoury. (BBC News)
Somali Civil War At least ten people have been killed in a shootout between jailed Al-Shabaab militants and security officers at a prison in Mogadishu, Somalia. An investigation is under way into how the militants obtained weapons, with some reports suggested that an inmate disarmed a warden and then a group of them raided the armoury. (BBC News)
Gaza–Israel clashes in 2020 Israel launches multiple airstrikes in the Gaza Strip after incendiary balloons launch from Gaza into Israel. (Haaretz)
Israel launches multiple airstrikes in the Gaza Strip after incendiary balloons launch from Gaza into Israel. (Haaretz)
Clashes between armed civilians and soldiers in Tonj, Warrap, South Sudan, during a disarmament exercise leave 127 dead since Saturday, an army spokesman says. A total of 45 of those killed were part of the security forces while the rest were youths from the area. (AFP via Al Arabiya)
War in Afghanistan August 2020 Afghanistan attacks At least four people are killed and another six injured by a roadside bomb exploding in Panjwayi District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. (TOLOnews)
August 2020 Afghanistan attacks At least four people are killed and another six injured by a roadside bomb exploding in Panjwayi District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. (TOLOnews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Germany declares all of Spain except for the Canary Islands a high risk region following a spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. Designations as risk regions are typically followed by the German Foreign Ministry warning against touristic travel to those areas and mean people returning from those areas face a test or two weeks' compulsory quarantine. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Germany declares all of Spain except for the Canary Islands a high risk region following a spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. Designations as risk regions are typically followed by the German Foreign Ministry warning against touristic travel to those areas and mean people returning from those areas face a test or two weeks' compulsory quarantine. (France 24)
Germany declares all of Spain except for the Canary Islands a high risk region following a spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. Designations as risk regions are typically followed by the German Foreign Ministry warning against touristic travel to those areas and mean people returning from those areas face a test or two weeks' compulsory quarantine. (France 24)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Germany declares all of Spain except for the Canary Islands a high risk region following a spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. Designations as risk regions are typically followed by the German Foreign Ministry warning against touristic travel to those areas and mean people returning from those areas face a test or two weeks' compulsory quarantine. (France 24)
Somali Civil War At least 12 people are killed when five al-Shabaab gunmen storm a beachfront hotel in Mogadishu after detonating a car bomb in front of the building. The attackers were later killed by security forces. (BBC News)
At least 12 people are killed when five al-Shabaab gunmen storm a beachfront hotel in Mogadishu after detonating a car bomb in front of the building. The attackers were later killed by security forces. (BBC News)
Belarus–Russia relations, 2020 Belarusian protests Russia says it is "ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary" as opposition leader in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for a massive march. (Reuters)
Russia says it is "ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary" as opposition leader in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for a massive march. (Reuters)
Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir Militants kill a policeman and two paramilitary officers in Srinagar. A spokesman for the police says they thwarted another attack when they recovered improvised explosive devices placed under a bridge. This has been seen as an increase in attacks on security forces in recent months. (Reuters)
Militants kill a policeman and two paramilitary officers in Srinagar. A spokesman for the police says they thwarted another attack when they recovered improvised explosive devices placed under a bridge. This has been seen as an increase in attacks on security forces in recent months. (Reuters)
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announces that the Ofqual has discarded the use of an algorithm to award the final grades of GCE Advanced Level and General Certificate of Secondary Education candidates in lieu of the exams that were cancelled due to the pandemic, instead basing the qualifications on teacher-assessed grades. The decision comes after hundreds of students in England protested following the release of the Advanced Level results on August 13, which saw around 40% of teacher-predicted grades downgraded under the algorithm. (The Guardian) (Reuters via The Straits Times)
Netherlands–Russia relations The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summons the Dutch ambassador in Moscow after surveillance equipment was discovered in the vehicle of a Russian military attaché in The Hague. (CGTN)
The Belarusian state media National State Television and Radio Company of Belarus headquarters in Minsk is reportedly emptied after staff members walked out and joined the general strike. State television is still on air but only showing an empty studio with music playing in the background. (DW)
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summons the Dutch ambassador in Moscow after surveillance equipment was discovered in the vehicle of a Russian military attaché in The Hague. (CGTN)
War in Afghanistan August 2020 Afghanistan attacks 14 rockets strike Kabul, wounding ten people. The rockets mostly struck the diplomatic "Green Zone", which is home to several embassies and the NATO Resolute Support headquarters. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the attack, which the Taliban has denied responsibility for. (Reuters)
14 rockets strike Kabul, wounding ten people. The rockets mostly struck the diplomatic "Green Zone", which is home to several embassies and the NATO Resolute Support headquarters. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the attack, which the Taliban has denied responsibility for. (Reuters)
August 2020 Afghanistan attacks 14 rockets strike Kabul, wounding ten people. The rockets mostly struck the diplomatic "Green Zone", which is home to several embassies and the NATO Resolute Support headquarters. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the attack, which the Taliban has denied responsibility for. (Reuters)
Islamic terrorism in Europe; Terrorism in Germany Three motorcyclists are rammed and left seriously wounded on a motorway in Berlin, Germany during a vehicle-ramming attack. The perpetrator is arrested and identified as an Islamic extremist. (BBC News)
Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War A Russian major general is killed and two others are injured by a roadside bomb in Syria while en route to Hmeimim Air Base from Deir ez-Zor. (Anadolu Agency)
Three motorcyclists are rammed and left seriously wounded on a motorway in Berlin, Germany during a vehicle-ramming attack. The perpetrator is arrested and identified as an Islamic extremist. (BBC News)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the military South Korea–United States relations, Korean conflict The United States Armed Forces resume joint military exercises with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces after several COVID-19 cases were confirmed at United States Forces Korea bases since February. (AFP via The Manila Times)
Astronomers discover 95 brown dwarfs near the Sun through the Backyard Worlds project. (Space.com)
Discoveries of exoplanets Astronomers discover 95 brown dwarfs near the Sun through the Backyard Worlds project. (Space.com)
The United Nations Security Council unanimously approves a resolution condemning the coup and calling on the soldiers to return to their barracks and release all detainees. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia The Robert Koch Institute declares the Sibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia regions in Croatia as COVID-19 high-risk regions, issuing a travel warning against the two regions, which are popular with tourists. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia The Robert Koch Institute declares the Sibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia regions in Croatia as COVID-19 high-risk regions, issuing a travel warning against the two regions, which are popular with tourists. (Reuters)
The Robert Koch Institute declares the Sibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia regions in Croatia as COVID-19 high-risk regions, issuing a travel warning against the two regions, which are popular with tourists. (Reuters)
Sanctions against Iran U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces his intention to invoke the "snap back" provision of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, an endorsement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) which would reimplement all of the United Nations' sanctions on Iran. The U.S., however, had withdrawn from JCPOA in 2018. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports 324 new cases in the previous 24 hours. This is the highest number of new cases since March 8, as the authorities warn of a cluster of infections in Seoul threatening to spread nationwide. (Reuters)
South Korea reports 324 new cases in the previous 24 hours. This is the highest number of new cases since March 8, as the authorities warn of a cluster of infections in Seoul threatening to spread nationwide. (Reuters)
Three people, including two policemen and the mayor's son, are killed by Islamic State-linked militants attack a Christian village in Kaftoun, Lebanon. (Xinhua)
A U.S. attempt to extend United Nations sanctions against Iran under a JCPoA "snapback" provision is opposed by 13 Security Council members, who argue that the U.S. left the agreement with Iran in 2018. (The Guardian)
