President Cyril Ramaphosa extends South Africa's level four restrictions for 14 days until July 25 amid a third wave of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant. (Business Tech)
Results show the pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity, which President Maia Sandu has close ties to, as the winner with 52% of the vote. (DW)
Thousands of Cubans, most of them young, attend a rare anti-government protest in San Antonio de los Baños to protest the increased food and medicine shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of Cubans in Miami, Florida, United States, hold solidarity protests as Mayor Francis Suarez calls for an international intervention against the Cuban government in a press conference. (France 24) (NBC Miami)
War in Afghanistan Australian Minister for Defence Peter Dutton says that the country has ended its military involvement in Afghanistan. (VOA)
Australian Minister for Defence Peter Dutton says that the country has ended its military involvement in Afghanistan. (VOA)
Bangladesh reports a record 11,874 new cases and 230 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.02 million and the nationwide death toll to 16,419. (Bdnews24.com)
British billionaire Richard Branson travels into space aboard the VSS Unity, a spaceplane owned and operated by the space flight company Virgin Galactic. At the age of 70, he is the second oldest person to travel to outer space. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia New South Wales reports Australia's first death from COVID-19 in 10 months after a woman in her 90s died in Sydney after contracting the virus in a family setting. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 11,874 new cases and 230 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.02 million and the nationwide death toll to 16,419. (Bdnews24.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Cambodia surpasses 60,000 cases of COVID-19. (Khmer Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji surpasses 10,000 cases of COVID-19 after reporting 485 new cases and three deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. The country has seen a significant increase in the number of infections since an outbreak in April. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia Indonesia receives three million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the United States, facilitated through the COVAX initiative. (detikNews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel COVID-19 vaccination in Israel The Ministry of Health announces that Israel will resume administering first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. (Times of Israel) Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announces that a deal has been reached with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, which would see a new shipment of vaccines delivered on August 1. (Jerusalem Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Libya Libya reports a record 2,854 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 204,090. (Al-Wasat)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia New South Wales reports Australia's first death from COVID-19 in 10 months after a woman in her 90s died in Sydney after contracting the virus in a family setting. (BBC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji surpasses 10,000 cases of COVID-19 after reporting 485 new cases and three deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. The country has seen a significant increase in the number of infections since an outbreak in April. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam reports a record 1,953 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 29,816. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 vaccination in Israel The Ministry of Health announces that Israel will resume administering first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. (Times of Israel) Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announces that a deal has been reached with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, which would see a new shipment of vaccines delivered on August 1. (Jerusalem Post)
England fans storm London's Wembley Stadium ahead of the team's matchup against Italy, with many of the intruders not removed from the stadium until halfway through the match. (The Times)
Exit polls do not show a clear winner, with newly-formed populist party There Is Such a People narrowly beating out GERB, the party of previous Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, by 0.2 percentage points. (Reuters)
Fiji surpasses 10,000 cases of COVID-19 after reporting 485 new cases and three deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. The country has seen a significant increase in the number of infections since an outbreak in April. (RNZ)
In his first official overseas trip since assuming power last year, Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq meets with King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Neom for two days to discuss a peace initiative in Yemen, and strengthen economic and investment agreements between Saudi Arabia and Oman. Saudi media reports it is also Salman's first face-to-face meeting with a world leader since the COVID-19 pandemic began. (Al Jazeera)
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announces that a deal has been reached with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, which would see a new shipment of vaccines delivered on August 1. (Jerusalem Post)
Italy beats England 3–2 on penalties in the UEFA Euro 2020 Final after a 1–1 draw following extra time. (BBC Sport)
Libya reports a record 2,854 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 204,090. (Al-Wasat)
New South Wales reports Australia's first death from COVID-19 in 10 months after a woman in her 90s died in Sydney after contracting the virus in a family setting. (BBC News)
Oman–Saudi Arabia relations In his first official overseas trip since assuming power last year, Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq meets with King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Neom for two days to discuss a peace initiative in Yemen, and strengthen economic and investment agreements between Saudi Arabia and Oman. Saudi media reports it is also Salman's first face-to-face meeting with a world leader since the COVID-19 pandemic began. (Al Jazeera)
The Ministry of Health announces that Israel will resume administering first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. (Times of Israel)
Twelve people are killed and 26 others injured when a minibus carrying illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh crashes and catches fire in Muradiye, Van Province, Turkey. (Al Jazeera)
UEFA Euro 2020 Final Italy beats England 3–2 on penalties in the UEFA Euro 2020 Final after a 1–1 draw following extra time. (BBC Sport) England fans storm London's Wembley Stadium ahead of the team's matchup against Italy, with many of the intruders not removed from the stadium until halfway through the match. (The Times)
UEFA Euro 2020 UEFA Euro 2020 Final Italy beats England 3–2 on penalties in the UEFA Euro 2020 Final after a 1–1 draw following extra time. (BBC Sport) England fans storm London's Wembley Stadium ahead of the team's matchup against Italy, with many of the intruders not removed from the stadium until halfway through the match. (The Times)
Vietnam reports a record 1,953 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 29,816. (The Straits Times)
Virgin Galactic Unity 22 British billionaire Richard Branson travels into space aboard the VSS Unity, a spaceplane owned and operated by the space flight company Virgin Galactic. At the age of 70, he is the second oldest person to travel to outer space. (BBC News)
2021 Moldovan parliamentary election The Party of Action and Solidarity is projected to win a majority in the parliamentary elections. (ABC News)
The Party of Action and Solidarity is projected to win a majority in the parliamentary elections. (ABC News)
Tigray War The Tigray Defense Forces say they have captured the town of Korem and are advancing on Alamata in southern Tigray. (Reuters) U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price condemns retaliatory attacks on civilians "whether by organized military or security forces or by rogue elements". Previously, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned of ongoing crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive Taliban insurgents surround the city of Ghazni as fighting intensifies and the group advances in the country. The government says the Taliban uses civilian houses as hideouts. (Reuters) Withdrawal of U.S. troops General Austin Scott Miller formally relinquishes control of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. He is replaced by Marine Corps General Frank McKenzie. (NBC News)
2021 Taliban offensive Taliban insurgents surround the city of Ghazni as fighting intensifies and the group advances in the country. The government says the Taliban uses civilian houses as hideouts. (Reuters)
At least 92 people are killed and more than 100 others are injured in a fire at a COVID-19 isolation ward in Nasiriyah, Iraq. The fire started when sparks from faulty wiring spread to an oxygen tank, causing it to explode. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in France COVID-19 vaccination in France French President Emmanuel Macron announces that COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for healthcare workers by September 15 and will expand the use of Health Pass into events over 50 people beginning from July 21. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece COVID-19 vaccination in Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces that COVID-19 vaccinations will now be mandatory for employees of retirement homes, while vaccinations for healthcare workers will be mandatory beginning on September 1. The Government also restricts access to some commercial venues for vaccinated people only from Friday until the end of August. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Tokyo enters a fourth state of emergency that will cover the duration of the 2020 Summer Olympics in an attempt to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. The state of emergency will remain in place until August 22. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 vaccination in France French President Emmanuel Macron announces that COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for healthcare workers by September 15 and will expand the use of Health Pass into events over 50 people beginning from July 21. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 vaccination in Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces that COVID-19 vaccinations will now be mandatory for employees of retirement homes, while vaccinations for healthcare workers will be mandatory beginning on September 1. The Government also restricts access to some commercial venues for vaccinated people only from Friday until the end of August. (Barron's)
French President Emmanuel Macron announces that COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for healthcare workers by September 15 and will expand the use of Health Pass into events over 50 people beginning from July 21. (Financial Times)
Nasiriyah hospital fire At least 92 people are killed and more than 100 others are injured in a fire at a COVID-19 isolation ward in Nasiriyah, Iraq. The fire started when sparks from faulty wiring spread to an oxygen tank, causing it to explode. (BBC News)
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces that COVID-19 vaccinations will now be mandatory for employees of retirement homes, while vaccinations for healthcare workers will be mandatory beginning on September 1. The Government also restricts access to some commercial venues for vaccinated people only from Friday until the end of August. (Barron's)
Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive Taliban insurgents surround the city of Ghazni as fighting intensifies and the group advances in the country. The government says the Taliban uses civilian houses as hideouts. (Reuters)
Taliban insurgents surround the city of Ghazni as fighting intensifies and the group advances in the country. The government says the Taliban uses civilian houses as hideouts. (Reuters)
Tokyo enters a fourth state of emergency that will cover the duration of the 2020 Summer Olympics in an attempt to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. The state of emergency will remain in place until August 22. (The Japan Times)
A study conducted by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology shows that Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is effective against all variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the Delta variant. (Mint)
Bangladesh reports a record 13,768 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.03 million. (Bdnews24.com)
Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, who championed human rights, freedom, and greater democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), died at the age of 81. (Catholic News Agency)
Collapse of Siji Kaiyuan Hotel Seventeen people are killed and five more are injured after an annex to a hotel collapses in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu province. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 13,768 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.03 million. (Bdnews24.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record 873 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national total to 11,386. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 40,427 new cases and 34,754 recoveries from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.56 million and the nationwide total of recoveries to 2.12 million. (detikNews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israel becomes the first country in the world to offer a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised adults. The decision comes as the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant continues to spread in the country. (ISRAEL21c)
COVID-19 pandemic in Panama Panama authorizes the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for people aged 12 years and over. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia COVID-19 vaccination in Russia A study conducted by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology shows that Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is effective against all variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the Delta variant. (Mint)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea The Seoul Capital Area enters the most restrictive "Level 4" social distancing measures that bans all large-scale events including spectators at sporting events, private gatherings of more than two people after 6 p.m. and before 5 a.m., and closes churches, in an attempt to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. (The Korea Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Valencia's Office of the Public Prosecutor authorizes 32 municipalities that are considered "high-risk" to impose a curfew from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. and restrict social gatherings due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (The Local Spain)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand begins to implement new restrictions in Bangkok that includes a ban on gatherings of more than five people, a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., and the closure of many retail stores due to a surge of highly infectious Alpha and Delta variants. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam reports a record for the fifth consecutive day of 2,367 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 32,199. (The Star)
COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israel becomes the first country in the world to offer a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised adults. The decision comes as the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant continues to spread in the country. (ISRAEL21c)
COVID-19 vaccination in Russia A study conducted by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology shows that Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is effective against all variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the Delta variant. (Mint)
COVID-19 vaccines GAVI signs purchase agreements for 170 million doses of BBIBP-CorV and 350 million doses of CoronaVac for distribution through COVAX. (Reuters)
Fiji reports a record 873 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national total to 11,386. (RNZ)
Former Drake & Josh star Drake Bell is sentenced to two years of probation for child endangerment. (NBC News)
GAVI signs purchase agreements for 170 million doses of BBIBP-CorV and 350 million doses of CoronaVac for distribution through COVAX. (Reuters)
Indonesia reports a record 40,427 new cases and 34,754 recoveries from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.56 million and the nationwide total of recoveries to 2.12 million. (detikNews)
International sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis, United States–Venezuela relations The U.S. Department of the Treasury lifts Trump-era sanctions against Venezuela, allowing companies to export propane to the country. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Israel becomes the first country in the world to offer a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised adults. The decision comes as the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant continues to spread in the country. (ISRAEL21c)
More than 53 people are killed by lightning strikes in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with a single strike killing 16 at Amer Fort near Jaipur. (BBC News)
Panama authorizes the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for people aged 12 years and over. (Reuters)
Seventeen people are killed and five more are injured after an annex to a hotel collapses in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu province. (BBC News)
