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)
Ukraine reports 1,318 new COVID-19 cases during the last 24 hours, a record high for a second consecutive day. (UNIAN)
2020 Fada N'gourma shooting About 20 people are killed when unidentified gunmen attack a cattle market in Fada N'gourma, Est, Burkina Faso. (Al Jazeera)
About 20 people are killed when unidentified gunmen attack a cattle market in Fada N'gourma, Est, Burkina Faso. (Al Jazeera)
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)
Maghreb insurgency 2020 Fada N'gourma shooting About 20 people are killed when unidentified gunmen attack a cattle market in Fada N'gourma, Est, Burkina Faso. (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 Kerala floods At least 22 people are dead and dozens of others injured due to flood and landslides in Kerala, India. (BBC News)
2020 Thai protests, Lèse majesté in Thailand Anon Nampha, a leading lawyer who gave a speech on monarchy reforms, is arrested for "creating chaos" and "spreading untrue matters". (Khaosod) (Bangkok Post)
A 23-year-old woman is killed in clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian citizens in Jenin, West Bank. Palestinian officials say the woman was shot by Israeli forces, but an Israeli army spokesman said that the Palestinians opened fire and threw explosives and that Israeli troops did not open fire. (Reuters)
A 40 ha (99 acres) grass fire breaks out at Chobham Common in Surrey, England, as the southeast experiences soaring temperatures. (BBC News)
Air India Express Flight 1344 Eighteen people are dead and dozens of others are injured, including fifteen seriously, after an Air India Express plane carrying 191 people overruns the runway in Calicut International Airport, Kerala, India. (BBC News)
Anon Nampha, a leading lawyer who gave a speech on monarchy reforms, is arrested for "creating chaos" and "spreading untrue matters". (Khaosod) (Bangkok Post)
At least 22 people are dead and dozens of others injured due to flood and landslides in Kerala, India. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom France reports 2,288 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. It is the biggest daily spike since the end of May and the first time in months that the number of cases has surpassed 2,000, prompting fears that the United Kingdom will add the country onto its quarantine list. (Sky News) (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports the highest single-day record of more than 62,000 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the country's total to 2,025,409. This total makes India the third country to pass two million cases, after the United States and Brazil. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq Iraq reports its highest single-day record of 3,461 new COVID-19 cases and 75 more deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide total to 144,064 cases and 5,236 deaths respectively. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record of 1,601 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain reports 4,507 new cases, of which 1,895 were diagnosed in the last 24 hours, mainly in the regions of the Basque Country, Catalonia, and Aragon. This number is the highest increase since the lockdown was lifted in June. (El Pais) (Reuters)
Eighteen people are dead and dozens of others are injured, including fifteen seriously, after an Air India Express plane carrying 191 people overruns the runway in Calicut International Airport, Kerala, India. (BBC News)
France and Germany end talks with the United States to reform the World Health Organization, after the former two's respective health ministries expressed opposition to the attempt from the US at leading the talks, despite the US having decided to leave the organization. (Reuters)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international relations The European Union provides Fiji with a US$23.4 million budget to help the Pacific country fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This move comes after Fiji closed its embassy in Brussels amid a closure of several Fijian embassies around the world. (RNZ)
Iraq reports its highest single-day record of 3,461 new COVID-19 cases and 75 more deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide total to 144,064 cases and 5,236 deaths respectively. (Anadolu Agency)
Israeli–Palestinian conflict A 23-year-old woman is killed in clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian citizens in Jenin, West Bank. Palestinian officials say the woman was shot by Israeli forces, but an Israeli army spokesman said that the Palestinians opened fire and threw explosives and that Israeli troops did not open fire. (Reuters)
Japan reports a record of 1,601 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. (CNN)
Spain reports 4,507 new cases, of which 1,895 were diagnosed in the last 24 hours, mainly in the regions of the Basque Country, Catalonia, and Aragon. This number is the highest increase since the lockdown was lifted in June. (El Pais) (Reuters)
The European Union provides Fiji with a US$23.4 million budget to help the Pacific country fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This move comes after Fiji closed its embassy in Brussels amid a closure of several Fijian embassies around the world. (RNZ)
The United Kingdom imposes a two-week quarantine for people who arrive from Belgium, The Bahamas and Andorra. The changes are effective from 04:00 BST tomorrow except in Wales, where the changes take effect from midnight on August 13. (BBC News)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The United Kingdom imposes a two-week quarantine for people who arrive from Belgium, The Bahamas and Andorra. The changes are effective from 04:00 BST tomorrow except in Wales, where the changes take effect from midnight on August 13. (BBC News)
Two people die of bubonic plague in the region of Inner Mongolia, China. Authorities have sealed off a village. (CNN)
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)
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 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)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in France Paris issues a mask mandate for busy areas to curb the rise of COVID-19 infections. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reports 174 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number of reported cases since early May. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil surpasses 100,000. (G1) (The Wall Street Journal) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States surpasses five million cases of COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil surpasses 100,000. (G1) (The Wall Street Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in France Paris issues a mask mandate for busy areas to curb the rise of COVID-19 infections. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reports 174 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number of reported cases since early May. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Paris issues a mask mandate for busy areas to curb the rise of COVID-19 infections. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reports 174 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number of reported cases since early May. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States surpasses five million cases of COVID-19. (Reuters)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The Mid-American Conference announces that its 12 members will not play this fall season, including in football. While many other NCAA Division I leagues have already called off fall sports, the MAC becomes the first Division I FBS league to scrap the 2020 football season. (Mid-American Conference) (ESPN)
Ireland reports 174 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number of reported cases since early May. (Reuters)
Paris issues a mask mandate for busy areas to curb the rise of COVID-19 infections. (Reuters)
Protesters storm the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants building in Achrafieh, Beirut. The building was badly damaged in the August 4 explosion. (BBC News)
The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil surpasses 100,000. (G1) (The Wall Street Journal)
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)
2020 Sparta earthquake An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 hits near the small town of Sparta, North Carolina. Shaking was felt throughout the U.S. East Coast, though no damage and injuries are reported. The earthquake is the largest in the state since 1916. (ABC News)
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)
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)
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 hits near the small town of Sparta, North Carolina. Shaking was felt throughout the U.S. East Coast, though no damage and injuries are reported. The earthquake is the largest in the state since 1916. (ABC News)
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)
2020 Vijayawada fire At least 11 people are dead and 22 others injured in a fire at a COVID-19 facility centre in India's Andhra Pradesh. (Al Jazeera)
At least 11 people are dead and 22 others injured in a fire at a COVID-19 facility centre in India's Andhra Pradesh. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victoria reports Australia's deadliest day since the pandemic began in the country, with 17 deaths reported aside from 394 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Greece National Public Health Organization reports 203 new COVID-19 cases in Greece in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single day for the country since the pandemic began. (Greek Reporter) COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom reports 1,062 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. It is the first time that the country has recorded more than 1,000 new cases since late June. (ITV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece National Public Health Organization reports 203 new COVID-19 cases in Greece in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single day for the country since the pandemic began. (Greek Reporter)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports its highest single day record of 64,399 new cases in the last 24 hours. (Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand New Zealand marks 100 days without community transmission of COVID-19. (The New Zealand Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victoria reports Australia's deadliest day since the pandemic began in the country, with 17 deaths reported aside from 394 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. (The Guardian) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand New Zealand marks 100 days without community transmission of COVID-19. (The New Zealand Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom reports 1,062 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. It is the first time that the country has recorded more than 1,000 new cases since late June. (ITV)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia State-run oil company Saudi Aramco reports that profits in the first half of 2020 plunged by 50% compared to the same period last year, with decreased demand in oil caused by COVID-19 cited as the main reason by CEO Amin H. Nasser. The company plans to uphold its promise of paying out US$75 billion in annual dividends in spite of this. (AP)
Eight people are dead after floods caused by thunderstorms and torrential rains affected Evia, Greece. Dozens of people have been evacuated from the area. (BBC News)(Canberra Times)
India reports its highest single day record of 64,399 new cases in the last 24 hours. (Times of India)
