Former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan says that he tested positive for COVID-19 during the UEFA Euro 2020 Final. (Plymouth Herald)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, 2021 NFL season The National Football League announces that players not adhering to COVID-19 restrictions will be subjected to a fine of $14,650 during the season. (ESPN)
In the Philippines, two people are killed and thousands more are evacuated from their homes after monsoon rains compounded by a tropical typhoon cause heavy flooding in Metro Manila. (Al Jazeera)
Indonesia reports a record 39,767 recoveries from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 2.47 million. (detikNews)
Laos reports a record 278 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4,620. (Xinhuanet)
Malaysia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 15,902 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 996,393. (CNA)
New Zealand suspends its quarantine-free travel bubble with Australia for at least eight weeks amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. However, there will be managed return flights for the next seven days for New Zealand citizens who wish to return home. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
Protests continue to occur in Iran for the tenth consecutive day as people in Tabriz also take to the streets. (Iran International)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic Protests take place across Europe and Australia in response to COVID-19 restrictions and vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. (The Independent)
Protests take place across Europe and Australia in response to COVID-19 restrictions and vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. (The Independent)
Six soldiers are killed and four more are wounded as Boko Haram militants open fire against a military base in Sagme, Cameroon. (France 24)
The death toll from the heavy floods that are affecting India since a week rise to 135 people, the majority of whom in Maharashtra. (Al Jazeera)
The National Football League announces that players not adhering to COVID-19 restrictions will be subjected to a fine of $14,650 during the season. (ESPN)
The World Heritage Committee rejects calls from UNESCO to list the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site "in danger" due to the effects of anthropogenic climate change and ocean acidification, in line with scientific consensus on the Reef's health. Australia lobbied a number of oil-rich countries, including Russia and Saudi Arabia, to reject the proposal. (The Guardian)
Thirty-three more people are killed during the heavy floods in Henan, China, bringing the death toll to 58. (South China Morning Post)
Tunisia reports a record 799 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 18,369. (Anadolu Agency)
Typhoon In-fa In the Philippines, two people are killed and thousands more are evacuated from their homes after monsoon rains compounded by a tropical typhoon cause heavy flooding in Metro Manila. (Al Jazeera)
Vietnam reports a record 7,978 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 90,934. (Reuters)
Vietnam's strictest social distancing measures are imposed in Hanoi for the next 15 days under "Directive 16" which requires people to stay home except for essential reasons in order to prevent further spread of COVID-19. (Vietnam Net)
Mali War The man who tried to kill Malian President Assimi Goïta with a knife at a mosque in Bamako six days ago dies in custody. The cause of death is unknown. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Summer Olympics Netherlands at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games reports the first post-competition case of COVID-19 after Dutch rower Finn Florijn tested positive on Friday and self-isolated at a separate location. (The Japan Times) Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Skateboarding at the 2020 Summer Olympics Japanese skateboarder Yuto Horigome wins a gold medal in skateboarding, making him the first athlete to do so. (NPR)
2021 Niger attacks Fourteen people are killed and one more is wounded as gunmen storm the village of Wiye, in Niger. Nine of the victims are killed while working at fields. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Tunisian political crisis Tunisian President Kais Saied, in a televised speech, announces the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the suspension of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, and also assumes executive authority. The opposition calls the actions a coup d'état. (Al Jazeera) (Reuters)
Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi reports that the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces are advancing in Cabo Delgado Province and gaining territory previously held by Daesh-affiliated groups. The insurgency has caused thousands of deaths as well as monetary losses Mozambique's economy, primarily in the gas and oil industries. (Reuters)
Insurgency in the Maghreb 2021 Niger attacks Fourteen people are killed and one more is wounded as gunmen storm the village of Wiye, in Niger. Nine of the victims are killed while working at fields. (Al Jazeera)
Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Skateboarding at the 2020 Summer Olympics Japanese skateboarder Yuto Horigome wins a gold medal in skateboarding, making him the first athlete to do so. (NPR)
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi reports that the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces are advancing in Cabo Delgado Province and gaining territory previously held by Daesh-affiliated groups. The insurgency has caused thousands of deaths as well as monetary losses Mozambique's economy, primarily in the gas and oil industries. (Reuters)
Netherlands at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games reports the first post-competition case of COVID-19 after Dutch rower Finn Florijn tested positive on Friday and self-isolated at a separate location. (The Japan Times)
The man who tried to kill Malian President Assimi Goïta with a knife at a mosque in Bamako six days ago dies in custody. The cause of death is unknown. (Al Jazeera)
The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games reports the first post-competition case of COVID-19 after Dutch rower Finn Florijn tested positive on Friday and self-isolated at a separate location. (The Japan Times)
Tunisian President Kais Saied, in a televised speech, announces the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the suspension of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, and also assumes executive authority. The opposition calls the actions a coup d'état. (Al Jazeera) (Reuters)
Albania reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, which was originally detected in India, (Euronews Albania)
An uncontrolled fire in the Spanish Catalan counties of Anoia and Conca de Barberà burns more than 1,100 hectares of land. The ashes reach Barcelona, 100 kilometers away from the focus of the fire while a confinement order is issued for two municipalities. (El Periódico) (El Confidencial)
Armed bandits kidnap a negotiator who had been sent to pay the ransom by the parents of the remaining students being held in captivity. The bandits had demanded nearly US$73,000. (Reuters)
Chikun kidnapping Nigerian authorities confirm that the bandits who kidnapped dozens of children from a school in Chikun, Kaduna State, have released 28 of them and that 81 others remain in captivity. This was the tenth mass kidnapping incident since December 2020. (Reuters) Armed bandits kidnap a negotiator who had been sent to pay the ransom by the parents of the remaining students being held in captivity. The bandits had demanded nearly US$73,000. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Albania Albania reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, which was originally detected in India, (Euronews Albania)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan COVID-19 vaccination in Jordan Jordan begins to vaccinate children over the age of 12 using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (MedicalXpress) COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 17,045 new cases of COVID-19 and surpasses one million total cases. (Free Malaysia Today) COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 15,335 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 497,302. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba Cuba reports a record 8,853 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Presna Latina)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Albania Albania reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, which was originally detected in India, (Euronews Albania) COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland Iceland restricts the gatherings to 200 people, requiring bars and nightclubs to stop selling alcohol at 21:00 and close no later than midnight amid an increase of COVID-19 cases. (Iceland Monitor)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland Iceland restricts the gatherings to 200 people, requiring bars and nightclubs to stop selling alcohol at 21:00 and close no later than midnight amid an increase of COVID-19 cases. (Iceland Monitor)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan COVID-19 vaccination in Jordan Jordan begins to vaccinate children over the age of 12 using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 17,045 new cases of COVID-19 and surpasses one million total cases. (Free Malaysia Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa returns to adjusted alert level 3, which means that inter-provincial travel can resume, alcohol sales bans are lifted, non-essential businesses can reopen, and gatherings of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors are allowed. Additionally, schools can reopen from 26 July 2021. (Businesstech)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 15,335 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 497,302. (CNA)
COVID-19 vaccination in Jordan Jordan begins to vaccinate children over the age of 12 using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (MedicalXpress)
Cuba reports a record 8,853 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Presna Latina)
Cuban dissidents in exile demonstrate in Madrid, Spain, with the leaders of the Spanish opposition political parties. (La Vanguardia)
Flash flooding in London leaves a number of Underground stations submerged with widespread damage reported. (The Independent)
Fourteen people are killed and one more is wounded as gunmen storm the village of Wiye, in Niger. Nine of the victims are killed while working at fields. (Al Jazeera)
Iceland restricts the gatherings to 200 people, requiring bars and nightclubs to stop selling alcohol at 21:00 and close no later than midnight amid an increase of COVID-19 cases. (Iceland Monitor)
Japanese skateboarder Yuto Horigome wins a gold medal in skateboarding, making him the first athlete to do so. (NPR)
Jordan begins to vaccinate children over the age of 12 using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (MedicalXpress)
Malaysia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 17,045 new cases of COVID-19 and surpasses one million total cases. (Free Malaysia Today)
Massive fires in the region of Sardinia, Italy, damage buildings, force the evacuation of 1,500 people and destroy 20,000 hectares of land. Italy has asked for help from other European countries to battle the fires. (The Guardian)
Nigerian authorities confirm that the bandits who kidnapped dozens of children from a school in Chikun, Kaduna State, have released 28 of them and that 81 others remain in captivity. This was the tenth mass kidnapping incident since December 2020. (Reuters)
Nine people are killed and three more are injured in Himachal Pradesh, India, after being hit by falling boulders. (BBC News)
Police in Fiji carry out a crackdown on opposition politicians and human rights activists who are opposed to a newly proposed land bill and who criticized the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Among those arrested are opposition politicians Biman Prasad, Lynda Tabuya and Litia Qionibaravi as well as former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. (RNZ)
South Africa returns to adjusted alert level 3, which means that inter-provincial travel can resume, alcohol sales bans are lifted, non-essential businesses can reopen, and gatherings of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors are allowed. Additionally, schools can reopen from 26 July 2021. (Businesstech)
Thailand reports a record 15,335 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 497,302. (CNA)
Foreign relations of Equatorial Guinea The Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea announces the closure of the country's embassy in London, United Kingdom after the British government sanctioned Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue over his "lavish lifestyle". The Minister said that Equatorial Guinea "will not allow interference in internal affairs". (Reuters)
The army surrounds the parliament and prevents its Speaker Rached Ghannouchi from entering. President Kais Saied earlier dismissed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and froze the activities of the parliament for 30 days. (Reuters)
The Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea announces the closure of the country's embassy in London, United Kingdom after the British government sanctioned Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue over his "lavish lifestyle". The Minister said that Equatorial Guinea "will not allow interference in internal affairs". (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive United Nations representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons implores the Afghan government and the Taliban to protect civilians as a UN report shows a sharp increase in civilians being killed. 1,300 civilians, mostly women and children, have been killed so far this year. (DW) Forty-six Afghan National Army soldiers, including five officers, flee into neighbouring Pakistan after abandoning their military posts on the border amid Taliban advances. (The Express Tribune)
2020 Summer Olympics Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, Netherlands at the 2020 Summer Olympics The Dutch rowing team self-isolates after rower Finn Florijn and team coach Josy Verdonkschot tested positive for COVID-19. (Barron's) Philippines at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Weightlifting at the 2020 Summer Olympics Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins the Women's 55 kg event, receiving the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal. (Reuters)
2020–21 Malaysian political crisis, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics The Parliament of Malaysia reopens for the first time after a seven-month suspension due to the COVID-19-related state of emergency, which will expire on August 1. (Nikkei Asia)
2021 Taliban offensive United Nations representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons implores the Afghan government and the Taliban to protect civilians as a UN report shows a sharp increase in civilians being killed. 1,300 civilians, mostly women and children, have been killed so far this year. (DW) Forty-six Afghan National Army soldiers, including five officers, flee into neighbouring Pakistan after abandoning their military posts on the border amid Taliban advances. (The Express Tribune)
Boko Haram insurgency Five soldiers and a civilian are killed and four more people are wounded as Boko Haram attack a command post in Zigue, Cameroon. A number of terrorist are killed during a gunfight after the attack. (The Defense Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The French Parliament approves a law that requires all healthcare workers to receive a vaccine by September 15 as well as the adoption of a "Health Pass" that will allow residents to travel on trains and airplanes, and enter restaurants and some public venues. The law can be applied until November 15 depending on the COVID-19 situation and will also apply to children over the age of 12 beginning on September 30. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia eases their community activities restrictions and allows non-essential traditional markets, warungs, street food vendors, and some shopping malls as well as other small businesses to reopen with strict health measures despite warnings that further loosening could contribute to another wave of COVID-19. (The Guardian) Indonesia reports a record 40,374 recoveries from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 2.54 million. (detikNews)
Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins the Women's 55 kg event, receiving the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal. (Reuters)
Five soldiers and a civilian are killed and four more people are wounded as Boko Haram attack a command post in Zigue, Cameroon. A number of terrorist are killed during a gunfight after the attack. (The Defense Post)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, Netherlands at the 2020 Summer Olympics The Dutch rowing team self-isolates after rower Finn Florijn and team coach Josy Verdonkschot tested positive for COVID-19. (Barron's)
Indonesia eases their community activities restrictions and allows non-essential traditional markets, warungs, street food vendors, and some shopping malls as well as other small businesses to reopen with strict health measures despite warnings that further loosening could contribute to another wave of COVID-19. (The Guardian)
Najib Mikati is designated by the Lebanese parliament to be the new prime minister, succeeding caretaker prime minister Hassan Diab. (Reuters)
Philippines at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Weightlifting at the 2020 Summer Olympics Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins the Women's 55 kg event, receiving the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal. (Reuters)
