Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov announces that Russia will re-open its embassy in Libya. (Reuters via US News and World Report)
Saudi Arabia surpasses 200,000 cases after reporting 4,193 infections in the past 24 hours while the death toll jumps to 1,802. (Al Arabiya)
Scotland's Court of Session fines Greenpeace £80,000 for breaching an injunction against the occupation of a Transocean oil rig in the North Sea. (The Guardian)
Sheikhupura train-van crash A passenger train collides with a van carrying Sikh pilgrims near Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan, killing at least 21 people. (BBC News via Yahoo! News)
St Paul's Cathedral bomb plot British Muslim convert Safiyya Shaikh is sentenced to life imprisonment for plotting to suicide bomb St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. (BBC News)
The Athletics Integrity Unit announces the ban of Kenyan runner Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich from athletics for four years after missing multiple doping tests. (AP via The Charlotte Observer)
The European Union approves the use of the drug remdesivir to treat severe cases of COVID-19. (DW)
The Malian Armed Forces says nine troops were killed and two others wounded in an ambush by suspected jihadists in Mopti. (Al Jazeera)
The University of Cambridge accepts the resignation of historian David Starkey and strips him of his honorary fellowship, following controversy over his remarks about slavery on a podcast. (BBC News)
Black Lives Matter protesters tear down the Statue of Christopher Columbus in Baltimore, Maryland, and throw it into the city's Inner Harbor. Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott had previously called for the statue to be removed. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran President Hassan Rouhani announces new measures to curb the spread of the virus, including mandatory wearing of masks in covered public areas. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain The Catalan government locks down the county of Segrià, with 200,000 inhabitants, due to a major outbreak, becoming the first confinement after the end of the state of emergency. (Daily Mirror)
LGBT rights in Poland President of Poland Andrzej Duda announces that he will propose a constitutional amendment to outlaw LGBT adoption in Poland. (The Guardian)
List of monuments and memorials removed during the George Floyd protests Black Lives Matter protesters tear down the Statue of Christopher Columbus in Baltimore, Maryland, and throw it into the city's Inner Harbor. Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott had previously called for the statue to be removed. (CNN)
North Korea–United States relations North Korean First Vice-Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui says her country has "no interest" in a face-to-face meeting with the United States unless the U.S. discards its "hostile" policies toward North Korea. (Al Jazeera)
North Korean First Vice-Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui says her country has "no interest" in a face-to-face meeting with the United States unless the U.S. discards its "hostile" policies toward North Korea. (Al Jazeera)
President Hassan Rouhani announces new measures to curb the spread of the virus, including mandatory wearing of masks in covered public areas. (Reuters)
President of Poland Andrzej Duda announces that he will propose a constitutional amendment to outlaw LGBT adoption in Poland. (The Guardian)
Somali Civil War A remote-controlled mine detonates in Baidoa, Somalia, killing five people and injuring 10. (Xinhua) A suicide car bomber detonates at a checkpoint in Mogadishu, Somalia, injuring at least five people. (Reuters)
Syrian civil war The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announces that 44 combatants have been killed in clashes between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Syrian Army since Thursday. (Al Arabiya)
The Catalan government locks down the county of Segrià, with 200,000 inhabitants, due to a major outbreak, becoming the first confinement after the end of the state of emergency. (Daily Mirror)
A fire is reported at a power plant in the city of Ahvaz, in south-western Iran, while a chlorine gas leak injures 70 workers at a petrochemicals plant near Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni. The incidents come after a string of other unexplained blazes and explosions at Iranian facilities. (The Guardian)
A remote-controlled mine detonates in Baidoa, Somalia, killing five people and injuring 10. (Xinhua)
A Siberian tiger kills a zookeeper at Zürich Zoo in Zürich, Switzerland. (Reuters)
A suicide car bomber detonates at a checkpoint in Mogadishu, Somalia, injuring at least five people. (Reuters)
Canada–China relations The Chinese embassy in Ottawa issues a rebuke of Canada, saying that it has "grossly interfered" in its affairs a day after Canada suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong. (Reuters)
COVID-19 drug development The World Health Organization suspends its trials of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and combination of HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir after they fail to reduce mortality in infected patients. (Reuters)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Pubs and barbershops are allowed to re-open in England for the first time since March. (NBC) Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Donald Trump signs an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program to extend the filing deadline to August 8. (AP via NBC)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Pubs and barbershops are allowed to re-open in England for the first time since March. (NBC)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Donald Trump signs an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program to extend the filing deadline to August 8. (AP via NBC)
For the first time scientists at the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope discover neutral hydrogen atoms outside of the Milky Way. (RT)
Heavy rains and mudslides occur in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. At least 14 residents of a nursing home in Kuma are feared dead after they are found "in cardio-respiratory arrest", according to prefecture Governor Ikuo Kabashima. Another 10 people are missing and dozens stranded on rooftops. (Al Jazeera)
Pubs and barbershops are allowed to re-open in England for the first time since March. (NBC)
The Chinese embassy in Ottawa issues a rebuke of Canada, saying that it has "grossly interfered" in its affairs a day after Canada suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong. (Reuters)
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announces that 44 combatants have been killed in clashes between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Syrian Army since Thursday. (Al Arabiya)
The USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Reagan participate in dual-carrier operations and exercises in the disputed South China Sea. (Reuters via NBC)
The World Health Organization suspends its trials of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and combination of HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir after they fail to reduce mortality in infected patients. (Reuters)
2020 Croatian parliamentary election Croatia holds parliamentary elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising infection rates and the pandemic's effects on the economy might influence the outcome of the election. (Reuters)
2020 Dominican Republic general election After having been postponed once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, general elections are held in the Dominican Republic. The electorate can vote for the new members of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies as well as the country's next president. (BBC News) Conservative candidate and opposition leader Luis Abinader is proclaimed the winner, ending 16 years of centre-left rule. (BBC News)
After having been postponed once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, general elections are held in the Dominican Republic. The electorate can vote for the new members of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies as well as the country's next president. (BBC News)
Croatia holds parliamentary elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising infection rates and the pandemic's effects on the economy might influence the outcome of the election. (Reuters)
Second Libyan Civil War The Government of National Accord (GNA) warns of a "response in the right place and at the right time" after a "foreign air force" bombed the Al-Watiya Air Base in an overnight air raid, according to the GNA's Deputy Defence Minister Salah al-Namrush. Al-Namrush did not specify which foreign air force was behind the raid, which is believed to have targeted a Turkish anti-aircraft missile system. (Al Jazeera)
The Government of National Accord (GNA) warns of a "response in the right place and at the right time" after a "foreign air force" bombed the Al-Watiya Air Base in an overnight air raid, according to the GNA's Deputy Defence Minister Salah al-Namrush. Al-Namrush did not specify which foreign air force was behind the raid, which is believed to have targeted a Turkish anti-aircraft missile system. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Kyushu floods The death toll from floods in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, rises to 20 and 14 people remain missing. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets with a disaster task force team to step up rescue efforts. Meanwhile, weather agencies warn people to remain alert as more rains are predicted. (Reuters)
A Katyusha rocket falls in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq, injuring a child and damaging a house. Iraqi security forces also thwart another rocket launched at Camp Taji, which houses U.S. troops. Also, a MIM-104 Patriot defense system shoots down a missile launched against the U.S. embassy. (Al Arabiya)
American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) A Katyusha rocket falls in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq, injuring a child and damaging a house. Iraqi security forces also thwart another rocket launched at Camp Taji, which houses U.S. troops. Also, a MIM-104 Patriot defense system shoots down a missile launched against the U.S. embassy. (Al Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in India The government extends the lockdown in the city of Agra and delays the reopening of the Taj Mahal for tourists and visitors after a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. (Reuters)
Somali Civil War A local politician is abducted and killed by Al-Shabaab militants in Bal'ad, Middle Shabelle, Somalia. (Voice of America)
The death toll from floods in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, rises to 20 and 14 people remain missing. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets with a disaster task force team to step up rescue efforts. Meanwhile, weather agencies warn people to remain alert as more rains are predicted. (Reuters)
The government extends the lockdown in the city of Agra and delays the reopening of the Taj Mahal for tourists and visitors after a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. (Reuters)
2020 New Caledonian independence referendum The Labour Party (New Caledonia) expresses its support for independence from France in the upcoming referendum, the party leader Louis Kotra Uregei says after abstaining in 2018. (RNZ)
A bus driver in the French city of Bayonne is left brain dead after reportedly being assaulted by passengers who refused to wear face masks. Bus services in the city have been severely disrupted as drivers refuse to work following the incident. (BBC News)
At least two people are killed and eight injured, four critically, in a mass shooting at a nightclub in Greenville, South Carolina. No suspects have been arrested. (WYFF) (AP) (CNN)
Conservative candidate and opposition leader Luis Abinader is proclaimed the winner, ending 16 years of centre-left rule. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan reports no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 17. (MLive.com) COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education reports the highest daily death toll to date from COVID-19, recording 163 deaths. Iran's cases reach 240,438 while the deaths jump to 11,571. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States An Arizona woman in Scottsdale is arrested at Target after pulling face masks off the displays. (popculture.com) (New York Daily News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education reports the highest daily death toll to date from COVID-19, recording 163 deaths. Iran's cases reach 240,438 while the deaths jump to 11,571. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan reports no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 17. (MLive.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan reports no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 17. (MLive.com)
Eight people are feared dead following a mid-air collision between two planes flying over Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, US, both of which then crashed into the waters. Two of the victims' bodies have already been recovered. (CNN)
Hachalu Hundessa riots The death toll amid civil unrest in Oromia Region, Ethiopia, rises to 166 people, including 11 security personnel. More than 1,000 people have been arrested. (BBC News)
In Atlanta, a large group of people were watching fireworks when a gunfight broke out after a car hit a pedestrian. Fourteen people were wounded, of which two were declared dead at the hospital. (WSB-TV)
Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education reports the highest daily death toll to date from COVID-19, recording 163 deaths. Iran's cases reach 240,438 while the deaths jump to 11,571. (Reuters)
Mercedes-Benz announces that it will be recalling 668,954 vehicles in China over possible issues with oil leakage. (AP)
Michigan reports no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 17. (MLive.com)
The death toll amid civil unrest in Oromia Region, Ethiopia, rises to 166 people, including 11 security personnel. More than 1,000 people have been arrested. (BBC News)
The Labour Party (New Caledonia) expresses its support for independence from France in the upcoming referendum, the party leader Louis Kotra Uregei says after abstaining in 2018. (RNZ)
Yuriko Koike wins her second term as Governor of Tokyo. (AP)
2020 Brazilian municipal elections; COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil The Brazilian Congress and Superior Electoral Court announce the postponement of this year's municipal elections to November 15 (first round) and 29 (second round) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Folha de S. Paulo)
A group of unknown assailants assassinate prominent Iraqi historian and government advisor Hisham al-Hashimi near his home in Zayouna, Baghdad. No group has claimed responsibility for his killing. (Reuters)
The Brazilian Congress and Superior Electoral Court announce the postponement of this year's municipal elections to November 15 (first round) and 29 (second round) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Folha de S. Paulo)
2020 in spaceflight Israel Aerospace Industries successfully launches the Ofeq-16 reconnaissance satellite via a Shavit rocket. The Israeli Defense Ministry describes the satellite as an "optoelectronic reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities". (Times of Israel)
2020 Kyushu floods The death toll from floods in Kyushu, Japan, rises to 49 people. The country is bracing for more heavy rain. (The Japan Times)
An overturned fuel tanker catches fire while dozens of people were attempting to siphon off fuel, killing seven people and injuring more than 40 others, near Pueblo Viejo, Magdalena in northern Colombia. (BBC News)
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms tests positive for COVID-19. (CNN)
