Greece confirmed 293 new cases in the last 24 hours which is the highest daily spike since the outbreak began in the country. According to National Public Health Organization, 22 of the new cases were reported at the country's entry points. (Anadolu Agency)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Catholic Church, COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City The Holy See announces that Pope Francis will resume public audiences in September for the first time in nearly six months. However, the events will be limited to 500 people, held in a closed courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. (AFP via The Korea Times)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Catholic Church, COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City The Holy See announces that Pope Francis will resume public audiences in September for the first time in nearly six months. However, the events will be limited to 500 people, held in a closed courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. (AFP via The Korea Times)
In conjunction with NBA, several teams from the MLB, WNBA, and MLS postpone their games to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake. (Bloomberg)
Kenosha unrest shooting A 17-year-old is arrested for the killing of two people during riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The teenager, who is originally from Antioch, Illinois, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide. (AP)
Llangennech derailment A freight train is derailed and catches fire near Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Local residents are evacuated. (BBC News)
Moderna announces that their potential COVID-19 vaccine produced promising results in elderly patients during an early stage clinical trial. (CNBC)
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin invites residents to join COVID-19 vaccine trials. (ABC News)
Myanmar orders all public and private schools closed as authorities try to tackle a resurgence of the virus following weeks without confirmed domestic transmission. (Reuters)
Myanmar reports 106 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day surge since the first case was detected in the country in March. Of those new cases, 93 new virus cases were found in Rakhine State. (Anadolu Agency)
North and South Korea prepare to receive Typhoon Bavi which is already lashing the South Korean island of Jeju flooding roads, toppling trees, ripping off signboards and knocking down lampposts as it passed over waters off the island’s western shores. No casualties are reported. (AP)
Ohio State University suspends more than 200 students for breaking some COVID-19 guidelines even before the school year starts. (NPR)
Osaka Nana Grave A mass grave with more than 1,500 bodies is discovered in Osaka, Japan, that dates from the 1600s to the mid-1800s. (News AU)
The city of Berlin bans any and all future protests against the city's quarantine measures after organizers of a rally earlier in the month failed to ensure its 20,000 marchers wore masks and practiced social distancing. (MSN)
The French Health Ministry reports 5,429 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new post-lockdown high and a level of new infections not seen since the height of the epidemic in early April. (France 24)
The Holy See announces that Pope Francis will resume public audiences in September for the first time in nearly six months. However, the events will be limited to 500 people, held in a closed courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. (AFP via The Korea Times)
The number of daily new cases in Argentina tops 10,000 for the first time with 10,550 new cases in the past 24 hours as the country extends lockdown restrictions in and around capital city Buenos Aires until the end of August. (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)
Mali War Mopti attacks Four Malian troops are killed and 12 others wounded when their anti-poaching convoy is ambushed in Mopti. Islamist insurgents are suspected to be behind the attack and reinforcements are sent to the area from Konna. (Reuters)
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)
Four Malian troops are killed and 12 others wounded when their anti-poaching convoy is ambushed in Mopti. Islamist insurgents are suspected to be behind the attack and reinforcements are sent to the area from Konna. (Reuters)
Mopti attacks Four Malian troops are killed and 12 others wounded when their anti-poaching convoy is ambushed in Mopti. Islamist insurgents are suspected to be behind the attack and reinforcements are sent to the area from Konna. (Reuters)
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)
A shelter-in-place is issued after a chemical fire breaks out in Lake Charles, Louisiana. (CBS News)
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey extends the state's mask mandate and safer-at-home order to October 2. (Bizjournals.com) (Patch.com)
At least three people are killed when a feud between Hezbollah supporters and a local clan of Sunni Arabs ends with gunfight in south Beirut, Lebanon. The army arrives at the scene and arrests four people. (Al Arabiya English)
Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant is sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole, a first in New Zealand history, for killing 51 people in last year's mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch. (The Guardian)
Christchurch mosque shootings Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant is sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole, a first in New Zealand history, for killing 51 people in last year's mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama Alabama Governor Kay Ivey extends the state's mask mandate and safer-at-home order to October 2. (Bizjournals.com) (Patch.com)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in India The number of deaths in India surpasses 60,000 as the country reports its highest single day record of more than 75,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports 2,719 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 162,884. This is the highest single-day rise since the beginning of the outbreak. Additionally, the total death toll surpasses 7,000. (Jakarta Globe)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy records its highest number of new cases since early May, when the country was still in lockdown, with 1,411 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. (The Telegraph)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama Alabama Governor Kay Ivey extends the state's mask mandate and safer-at-home order to October 2. (Bizjournals.com) (Patch.com)
Delta Air Lines has banned 240 passengers for refusing to wear masks since a policy requiring them went into effect in June. (CNN)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, economy of South Korea The Bank of Korea cuts its growth forecast and expects the country's GDP to shrink 1.3% this year. It would be South Korea's worst performance since the height of the Asian financial crisis in 1998. (Marketwatch)
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)
Indonesia reports 2,719 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 162,884. This is the highest single-day rise since the beginning of the outbreak. Additionally, the total death toll surpasses 7,000. (Jakarta Globe)
Italy records its highest number of new cases since early May, when the country was still in lockdown, with 1,411 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. (The Telegraph)
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)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen The Saudi Arabian-led coalition says it has intercepted a ballistic missile fired at the Saudi city of Najran from Yemen. (Reuters)
South Korea reports 441 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day increase of confirmed cases since early March, as sporadic cluster infections across the country, mainly in the Seoul Capital Area, continue to pile up, fueling calls for tougher antivirus restrictions. (AP via detikNews) (South China Morning Post)
Ten teenagers in Arua, Uganda, are killed after being struck by lightning while playing football. (BBC News) (Soft Power News)
The Bank of Korea cuts its growth forecast and expects the country's GDP to shrink 1.3% this year. It would be South Korea's worst performance since the height of the Asian financial crisis in 1998. (Marketwatch)
The FBI arrests Yaser Abdel Said, who had been on their Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since 2014 for allegedly murdering his two daughters in an honor killing in 2008. His son and brother were also arrested for harboring a fugitive. (BBC News)
The number of deaths in India surpasses 60,000 as the country reports its highest single day record of more than 75,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. (Hindustan Times)
The Saudi Arabian-led coalition says it has intercepted a ballistic missile fired at the Saudi city of Najran from Yemen. (Reuters)
The South's Defenders Monument, a Confederate monument located in Lake Charles, is damaged by Laura. (The Hill)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Delta Air Lines has banned 240 passengers for refusing to wear masks since a policy requiring them went into effect in June. (CNN)
War in Afghanistan August 2020 Afghanistan attacks Thirteen people are killed and two others injured after two bombs explode in Spin Boldak, Kandahar. (TOLOnews)
A Pakistani court sentences three leaders of Jamat-ud-Dawa to between one and 16 years in prison for helping coordinate the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The sentences come as the deadline for the country to avoid getting placed on the Financial Action Task Force blacklist approaches. (Reuters)
A polar bear kills a 38-year-old Dutch man at campsite near Longyearbyen, on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. The bear was then shot dead near Svalbard Airport. It is the first fatal bear attack on Svalbard since a British student was attacked and killed in 2011. (BBC News)
An administrative court in Berlin overturns the city government's ban on protests and demonstrations, citing "no indication" that the government's rationale for the ban of protesters breaching social distancing measures would occur. (AFP via Bangkok Post)
August 2020 Afghanistan attacks Thirteen people are killed and two others injured after two bombs explode in Spin Boldak, Kandahar. (TOLOnews)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi 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)
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)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Germany An administrative court in Berlin overturns the city government's ban on protests and demonstrations, citing "no indication" that the government's rationale for the ban of protesters breaching social distancing measures would occur. (AFP via Bangkok Post)
The Brazilian Ministry of Health announces expansions to the country's abortion laws regarding cases of pregnancy from rape, which include requiring the victim to provide "a detailed account" to doctors, a report to police, and the victim being "expressly warned" of the possibility of prosecution for fraud for false or unverified claims. Chamber of Deputies minority leader Jandira Feghali filed a bill in response to block the decree, claiming it "constitutes psychological violence against women". (AFP via The Straits Times)
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)
Canada extends emergency orders that place restrictions on international travel and make mandatory two-week quarantines for anyone entering the country until September 30. (Global News)
