Kazakhstan reports a record 6,797 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 542,703. (Azerbaijan Press Agency)
Kuwait announces that it will ban unvaccinated people from travelling internationally beginning on August 1. However, the rule exempts children under the age of 16, those with a health ministry certificate saying that they cannot be vaccinated, and pregnant women who have a proof of pregnancy certificate. (Reuters)
Mississippi Department of Corrections commissioner Burl Cain announces that the state will suspend visits to prisons as part of an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Mississippi Today)
Over 8,900,000 people in Cuba have received a dose of the Abdala and Soberana 02 vaccine. (Radio Cadena Agramonte)
Saudi Arabia will require COVID-19 vaccinations for people to access workplaces and attend social events. The order will come into effect on August 1. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Arkansas Children's Hospital reports 24 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record. (KTHV-TV)
The trial against Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu and ten others for financial crimes opens in the Holy See. Becciu and a monsignor are the only two to appear in court in person. Becciu denied any wrongdoing and the trial was adjourned. Pope Francis had previously stripped Becciu of his immunity and approved his indictment. Becciu's lawyers asked the court not to order the Cardinal's arrest. (Reuters)
The United Kingdom eases its quarantine rules for essential workers in many fields who no longer need to quarantine for 10 days if they are fully vaccinated and only need to receive a COVID-19 test after the previous rules led to a shortage of workers. (The Hill)
The White House issues an indoor mask mandate for staff amid the spread of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant. (Axios)
Tokyo reports a record 2,848 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (CBS News)
An 8.2 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Alaska, with at least two strong aftershocks (6.2 and 5.6) and prompting tsunami warnings. It is the strongest earthquake to hit the United States since the 1965 Rat Islands earthquake, which also occurred off the Alaskan coast. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The French government announces that beginning on August 9, the parliament-approved "Health Pass" will be compulsory for people who want to visit a café, gym, bar or other public place, as well as travel on an airplane or by inter-city rail. However, the legislation needs to be validated by the Constitutional Council on August 5. (Connexion France)
The French government announces that beginning on August 9, the parliament-approved "Health Pass" will be compulsory for people who want to visit a café, gym, bar or other public place, as well as travel on an airplane or by inter-city rail. However, the legislation needs to be validated by the Constitutional Council on August 5. (Connexion France)
2020 Summer Olympics United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics Florida swimmer Robert Bobby Finke wins a gold medal at the 800 metre freestyle event, becoming the first American to do so. (Business Insider)
2021 Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis Armenia reports that three of its soldiers were killed in clashes with Azerbaijani forces in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia says that Azerbaijan "is deliberately escalating the situation as its forces remain illegally on Armenia's sovereign territory" while Azerbaijan rejects the accusation and blames Armenian forces for opening fire first towards Azerbaijani forces in the district of Kelbajar. (DW)
2021 Tunisian political crisis Tunisian President Kais Saied sacks Mohamed al-Dahach as head of the national television network and installs a temporary replacement, following an incident in the afternoon when al-Dahach forbade a group of journalists and human rights advocates from appearing on a show allegedly on orders from the military. (Reuters)
Armenia reports that three of its soldiers were killed in clashes with Azerbaijani forces in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia says that Azerbaijan "is deliberately escalating the situation as its forces remain illegally on Armenia's sovereign territory" while Azerbaijan rejects the accusation and blames Armenian forces for opening fire first towards Azerbaijani forces in the district of Kelbajar. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu receives her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the vaccination campaign begins in the country. (BBC News)
Mount Sinabung in the North Sumatra region of Indonesia begins billowing ash up to 4,500 metres (14,800 ft) into the air. Though not yet erupting, authorities warn of lava flows and an evacuation order is put in place for those living within 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) of the volcano. (Associated Press)
Socialist rural teacher Pedro Castillo is sworn-in as President of Peru during its bicentennial. (Andina)
Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu receives her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the vaccination campaign begins in the country. (BBC News)
Tunisian President Kais Saied sacks Mohamed al-Dahach as head of the national television network and installs a temporary replacement, following an incident in the afternoon when al-Dahach forbade a group of journalists and human rights advocates from appearing on a show allegedly on orders from the military. (Reuters)
United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics Florida swimmer Robert Bobby Finke wins a gold medal at the 800 metre freestyle event, becoming the first American to do so. (Business Insider)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that United Nations reports of civilian deaths in Afghanistan are "deeply, deeply troubling" as the Taliban gains vital border crossings and territory. The armed group has said that, if they return to power, they will treat civilians well and will not allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for international terrorism. (Reuters)
2021 Taliban offensive U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that United Nations reports of civilian deaths in Afghanistan are "deeply, deeply troubling" as the Taliban gains vital border crossings and territory. The armed group has said that, if they return to power, they will treat civilians well and will not allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for international terrorism. (Reuters)
Alberta drops their COVID-19 quarantine for close contacts of cases, as well as relaxing health measures. (Reuters)
Argentina announces that they will pay $250 million to the Paris Club and $350 million to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid default. Economy minister Martín Guzmán asks both entities to restructure the debts in order to make payment viable. The IMF has expressed its willingness for the payment after months of negotiations on a $45 billion debt acquired by the previous administration. (Ámbito Financiero)
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issues a mask mandate for indoor public spaces to combat the spread of COVID-19. (WAGA-TV)
British Columbia reimposes a mask mandate and declares a COVID-19 outbreak in the Okanagan region following a rise of cases in Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta drops their COVID-19 quarantine for close contacts of cases, as well as relaxing health measures. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Lockdown restrictions are eased in Victoria and South Australia after a decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases. New South Wales is now the only state under a strict lockdown. (9 News)
COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia British Columbia reimposes a mask mandate and declares a COVID-19 outbreak in the Okanagan region following a rise of cases in Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta drops their COVID-19 quarantine for close contacts of cases, as well as relaxing health measures. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia British Columbia reimposes a mask mandate and declares a COVID-19 outbreak in the Okanagan region following a rise of cases in Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba Cuba reports 9,323 cases of COVID-19, a new single-day record. (Xinhuanet)
COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issues a mask mandate for indoor public spaces to combat the spread of COVID-19. (WAGA-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 vaccination in Germany The number of people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Germany reaches 41.1 million, which is nearly half the country's population. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana, COVID-19 vaccination in Ghana Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority approves the usage of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, bringing the number of approved vaccines in the country to five. (Xinhuanet)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, COVID-19 vaccination in Italy The Italian Medicines Agency approves the usage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 years old, making it the second vaccine to be approved for use in teenagers in Italy after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (ANSA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Tokyo reports a record for the second consecutive day of 3,177 new cases of COVID-19. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 17,405 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.06 million. (New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that the state will require COVID-19 vaccines or negative COVID-19 tests for state workers, making New York the second U.S. state to do so after California. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda Rwanda imposes tighter lockdown measures in 50 sectors with high positivity rates in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (KTPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 1,896 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 193,427. (The Korea Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 16,533 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 543,361. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines Philippine business groups support a proposal for a two week "circuit-breaker lockdown" to be imposed in the National Capital Region in order to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issues a mask mandate for indoor public spaces to combat the spread of COVID-19. (WAGA-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that the state will require COVID-19 vaccines or negative COVID-19 tests for state workers, making New York the second U.S. state to do so after California. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports 22,291 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the first the time the country has reported more than 20,000 cases since early May. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe, COVID-19 vaccination in Zimbabwe The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe approves the emergency use of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson after they previously denied approval, making it the first Western-made vaccine to be approved for use in the country. (Bloomberg)
Cuba reports 9,323 cases of COVID-19, a new single-day record. (Xinhuanet)
Eighteen migrant workers are dead and at least 30 more are injured when their bus is hit by a truck in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India. (BBC News)
Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority approves the usage of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, bringing the number of approved vaccines in the country to five. (Xinhuanet)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, 2021 Major League Baseball season The Washington Nationals postpones their game against the Philadelphia Phillies after 12 people within the organization test positive for COVID-19. (CNN)
Imprisoned Australian publisher Julian Assange is stripped of his Ecuadorian citizenship due to issues with his application forms and outstanding fees. (The Guardian)
Lockdown restrictions are eased in Victoria and South Australia after a decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases. New South Wales is now the only state under a strict lockdown. (9 News)
Malaysia reports a record 17,405 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.06 million. (New Straits Times)
Philippine business groups support a proposal for a two week "circuit-breaker lockdown" to be imposed in the National Capital Region in order to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Rwanda imposes tighter lockdown measures in 50 sectors with high positivity rates in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (KTPress)
South Korea reports a record 1,896 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 193,427. (The Korea Herald)
Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that United Nations reports of civilian deaths in Afghanistan are "deeply, deeply troubling" as the Taliban gains vital border crossings and territory. The armed group has said that, if they return to power, they will treat civilians well and will not allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for international terrorism. (Reuters)
Thailand reports a record 16,533 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 543,361. (CNA)
The Italian Medicines Agency approves the usage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 years old, making it the second vaccine to be approved for use in teenagers in Italy after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (ANSA)
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe approves the emergency use of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson after they previously denied approval, making it the first Western-made vaccine to be approved for use in the country. (Bloomberg)
The number of people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Germany reaches 41.1 million, which is nearly half the country's population. (MedicalXpress)
Tokyo reports a record for the second consecutive day of 3,177 new cases of COVID-19. (NBC News)
Turkey reports 22,291 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the first the time the country has reported more than 20,000 cases since early May. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive A U.S. government watchdog charged with monitoring events on the ground says that the Afghan government will be "fighting for its life" and could fall under the control of the Taliban once the withdrawal of foreign troops is completed. The report states that Afghan "unprepared forces" are facing an "existential crisis" in response to the increasing Taliban attacks. (Voice of America)
LGBT rights in Uganda Local human rights activists in Uganda petition President Yoweri Museveni not to sign a controversial bill against gay sex into law as it could increase discrimination and hate crimes and incite violence against gay men. The bill further criminalizes homosexuality by punishing "penetration of another person’s anus" with up to 10 years' imprisonment. Richard Lusimbo, a 34-year-old activist, says that even people suspected of being gay will be attacked if the bill comes into effect. (PML Daily)
Local human rights activists in Uganda petition President Yoweri Museveni not to sign a controversial bill against gay sex into law as it could increase discrimination and hate crimes and incite violence against gay men. The bill further criminalizes homosexuality by punishing "penetration of another person’s anus" with up to 10 years' imprisonment. Richard Lusimbo, a 34-year-old activist, says that even people suspected of being gay will be attacked if the bill comes into effect. (PML Daily)
2020 Summer Olympics Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks withdraws from the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. (The Washington Post) San Marino at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Shooting at the 2020 Summer Olympics Sammarinese shooter Alessandra Perilli takes third place in the Women's trap event, winning San Marino its first Olympic medal and making it the least populous nation to have won a medal. (CNN)
American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks withdraws from the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. (The Washington Post)
Central African Republic Civil War The United Nations Security Council extends an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on the Central African Republic for another year. China was the only UNSC member to abstain from the vote. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan announces that they will ban air travel for unvaccinated people, as well as entry to schools for both staff and students over the age of 18 beginning on August 1 and will also require public sector workers, public transport workers and retail staff to get vaccinated beginning on August 31 or risk a ban on entry to shopping malls, restaurants, and government offices. (U.S. News and World Report)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks withdraws from the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. (The Washington Post)
Pakistan announces that they will ban air travel for unvaccinated people, as well as entry to schools for both staff and students over the age of 18 beginning on August 1 and will also require public sector workers, public transport workers and retail staff to get vaccinated beginning on August 31 or risk a ban on entry to shopping malls, restaurants, and government offices. (U.S. News and World Report)
Peru's President Pedro Castillo names Guido Bellido of the party Free Peru as his prime minister. (Reuters)
