Guinea reports West Africa's first death from the Marburg virus after a person died from viral hemorrhagic fever. (AP)
Iran reports a record for the second consecutive day of 40,808 new cases and 588 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4.199 million and the nationwide death toll to 94,603. (Asharq Al-Aswat)
Nepal begins administering second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine dose for nearly 1.4 million elderly people following a months-long delay due to India suspending exports of vaccines due to a substantial increase in the number of cases there. The vaccines were donated by Japan and Bhutan. (Radio France Internationale)
Nicaragua recalls its ambassadors to Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia for "consultations" after those countries recalled their ambassadors to Nicaragua over a crackdown on the opposition in Nicaragua. (Reuters)
Palau reaches herd immunity as 80% of its 12-and-over population are vaccinated against COVID-19. Plans to vaccinate teenagers are underway as tourism reopens in the country. (RNZ)
Scotland moves to level zero and removes most of the remaining COVID-19-related restrictions, allowing all hospitality venues, including nightclubs, to reopen at full capacity and to remove most legal social distancing requirements. However, face masks remains mandatory in indoor public settings and on public transport, and must be worn by pupils and teachers at school for the first six weeks of the semester. (BBC News)
Seven people are killed and two others are injured by wildfires in Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria. (Al Jazeera)
Smoke from wildfires in Siberia is detected in the Geographic North Pole for the first time in recorded history, according to NASA. The space agency says that as of August 6 "most of Russia" is covered in smoke, while Russia's weather monitoring institute Rosgidromet says that the situation "continues to deteriorate" in the far-eastern Sakha region with around 3.4 million hectares (8.4 million acres) of land currently on fire. (The Guardian)
Swissmedic approves the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 17. (Swissinfo)
The Afghan National Security Forces launch a counter-offensive, in an attempt to retake Kunduz, which was captured by the Taliban yesterday. Heavy fighting is reported elsewhere in the northern part of the country, where the Islamist group has launched an offensive. Civilians flee Kunduz, trying to reach Kabul as there are conflicting reports as to who is responsible for dozens of civilian casualties. (Reuters)
The Taliban captures Samangan (Aibak), the provincial capital of Samangan Province, making it the sixth capture of a provincial capital by the Islamist group in the past four days. (Al Jazeera)
The Therapeutic Goods Administration grants provisional approval for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the fourth vaccine to be approved for use in Australia. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
Violence occurs in Lebanon due to the severe fuel shortages that are affecting the country, leaving three people dead. (Al Jazeera)
The Taliban tightens its grip in many districts and cities in northern Afghanistan as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani calls on local militias to fight the armed group. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby says that the United States is willing to continue their airstrike campaign against the Taliban but warned that "it is up to the Afghan government to defend themselves" and also added that "it is their struggle". (Reuters)
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he views peace talks with the Taliban as concluded and unsuccessful, and anticipates a civil war. (Stars and Stripes)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia eases its COVID-19-related restrictions for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in eight states where the number of cases have been declined that allow people to cross-border travel, play individual outdoor sports, and eat at restaurants. The government also eases the 14-day home quarantine for fully vaccinated people and allow married couple to cross state borders to meet their spouses regardless of their state. (The Jakarta Post)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed calls on "all eligible citizens" to join the armed forces to "stop the Tigray forces once and for all" and for all Ethiopians to "show patriotism" in this moment. Abiy had promised a swift victory when the war broke out in late 2020, but this changed in June when Tigrayan forces recaptured the region and advanced further into other regions. (Al Jazeera)
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan signs 52 arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers who broke quorum to stop the passing of legislation that would limit voting access for some citizens. (KSAT-TV)
The Polish coalition government collapses after Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki dismissed deputy prime minister Jarosław Gowin, who is leading the governing party partner Agreement motivated by disagreements with fiscal policy and a controversial media law. (Politico Europe)
Tigray War Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed calls on "all eligible citizens" to join the armed forces to "stop the Tigray forces once and for all" and for all Ethiopians to "show patriotism" in this moment. Abiy had promised a swift victory when the war broke out in late 2020, but this changed in June when Tigrayan forces recaptured the region and advanced further into other regions. (Al Jazeera)
Voting rights in the United States Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan signs 52 arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers who broke quorum to stop the passing of legislation that would limit voting access for some citizens. (KSAT-TV)
2021 Algeria wildfires Wildfires continue in Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria, killing 25 soldiers during rescue operations and 10 more civilians, bringing the death toll to 42. (Al Jazeera)
A court in China upholds the death sentence of a Canadian man convicted of drug smuggling. The man, originally sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, had his sentence upgraded on appeal. Canadian authorities say that the sentence is in retaliation for the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei, in Vancouver in 2018. (Deutsche Welle)
Capital punishment in China A court in China upholds the death sentence of a Canadian man convicted of drug smuggling. The man, originally sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, had his sentence upgraded on appeal. Canadian authorities say that the sentence is in retaliation for the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei, in Vancouver in 2018. (Deutsche Welle)
Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of 16 German states agree to phase out free COVID-19 testing for citizens beginning on October 11 and will begin requiring non-vaccinated people to show a negative test result to enter certain indoor venues as well as to attend cultural, sport, and entertainment events once the infection rate in a region reaches 35 per 100,000 people unless they have recovered from COVID-19 in order to pressure people to get vaccinated. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, COVID-19 vaccination in Bangladesh Bangladesh begins to vaccinate Rohingya refugees in 34 camps in Cox's Bazar district which borders Myanmar as the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases poses health risks in the camps where more than one million refugees are living. (Associated Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in East Timor East Timor reports its first community transmitted cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in 12 samples from the Ermera region. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji surpasses 300 deaths from COVID-19. (RNZ International)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of 16 German states agree to phase out free COVID-19 testing for citizens beginning on October 11 and will begin requiring non-vaccinated people to show a negative test result to enter certain indoor venues as well as to attend cultural, sport, and entertainment events once the infection rate in a region reaches 35 per 100,000 people unless they have recovered from COVID-19 in order to pressure people to get vaccinated. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Martinique The French overseas department of Martinique enters a three-week strict lockdown that closes all non-essential shops as well as hotels and cultural and leisure venues such as beaches in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Residents must also restrict their movement to within 1 km (0.62 mi) from their homes. (Radio France Internationale)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore Singapore begins to ease some social distancing measures and allows indoor dining to resume at food and beverage establishments and increases the maximum group size to five people for those who have been fully vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19. However, unvaccinated people are only allowed to dine in groups of up to two people at coffee shops and hawker centres. (Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 235 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 6,588. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom reports 146 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of deaths since March 12. (Sky News)
East Timor reports its first community transmitted cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in 12 samples from the Ermera region. (U.S. News & World Report)
International seafood company Grieg Seafood announces that it has accidentally dumped 4,000 gallons of chlorine in a Norwegian fjord, killing approx. 96,000 fish. The company apologizes and says it will handle the cleanup. (CBS News)
Russian authorities open a criminal investigation into Leonid Volkov and Ivan Zhdanov, two prominent allies of incarcerated activist Alexei Navalny, for raising funds for a banned political network. It is the first investigation of its kind on Navalny's allies. (Reuters)
Singapore begins to ease some social distancing measures and allows indoor dining to resume at food and beverage establishments and increases the maximum group size to five people for those who have been fully vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19. However, unvaccinated people are only allowed to dine in groups of up to two people at coffee shops and hawker centres. (Today)
Thailand reports a record 235 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 6,588. (Bangkok Post)
The French overseas department of Martinique enters a three-week strict lockdown that closes all non-essential shops as well as hotels and cultural and leisure venues such as beaches in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Residents must also restrict their movement to within 1 km (0.62 mi) from their homes. (Radio France Internationale)
The Taliban captures the city of Farah, the capital of the southwestern Farah Province, as well as the city of Puli Khumri, the capital of the northern Baghlan Province. These are the seventh and eighth provincial capitals to fall under Taliban control in the past five days. (Al Jazeera)
The United Kingdom reports 146 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of deaths since March 12. (Sky News)
Wildfires continue in Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria, killing 25 soldiers during rescue operations and 10 more civilians, bringing the death toll to 42. (Al Jazeera)
An investigation by the BBC into the involvement of the Russian Wagner Group in the war reveals that the group committed several war crimes, including the intentional killing of prisoners of war and civilians and the leaving of unmarked mines in civilian areas. The investigation also finds that Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was involved in the group's operations, and that the group likely received weapons and supplies from the Russian military. (BBC News)
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says that the Taliban "will not negotiate with the Afghan government as long as Ghani is the president". Khan further states that he "tried to persuade the Taliban" months ago but that they remained firm on their stance. (Reuters)
Second Libyan Civil War An investigation by the BBC into the involvement of the Russian Wagner Group in the war reveals that the group committed several war crimes, including the intentional killing of prisoners of war and civilians and the leaving of unmarked mines in civilian areas. The investigation also finds that Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was involved in the group's operations, and that the group likely received weapons and supplies from the Russian military. (BBC News)
The Libyan Military Prosecutor's Office issues an arrest warrant for Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi and prospective candidate in the upcoming elections, for his connections to the Wagner Group. (The Libya Observer)
The President of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama says that the region needs to take a holistic approach in order to gain full independence from Papua New Guinea. Toromoa pointed towards receiving international aid to build an economy for the region which overwhelmingly voted for independence in a referendum in 2019. (RNZ International)
The Taliban captures its ninth provincial capital in six days, seizing Fayzabad, the capital of Badakhshan Province, amid a rapid advance in northern Afghanistan. The capture comes as President Ashraf Ghani appeals to local warlords to confront and fight the Taliban. The jihadist group also takes control of Kunduz Airport, after hundreds of Afghan National Security Forces personnel in the area surrender with all of their military equipment. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera)
Tigray War The leader of the Oromo Liberation Army announces that his group is now supporting Tigrayan forces fighting the government. (Associated Press)
2021 Algeria wildfires The death toll from the wildfires in northern Algeria increases to 65, as the country battles a total of 69 fires for the fourth consecutive day. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declares three days of national mourning for the wildfire victims. (BBC News)
Amnesty International and Project Ploughshares accuse the Canadian government of violating the Arms Trade Treaty—which the country signed in 2019—by supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia that could be used in Yemen. (Al Jazeera)
Chief of General Staff of the Afghan Armed Forces Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai is removed by President Ashraf Ghani as the Afghan military continues to collapse across the country. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announces that Canada will issue a vaccine passport for international travel. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announces that state government employees will be required to receive the vaccine or undergo testing for COVID-19. (Associated Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California California Governor Gavin Newsom announces that healthcare workers in the state will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo COVID-19 testing. (KSBY) COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announces that state government employees will be required to receive the vaccine or undergo testing for COVID-19. (Associated Press)
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announces that Canada will issue a vaccine passport for international travel. (U.S. News & World Report)
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announces that state government employees will be required to receive the vaccine or undergo testing for COVID-19. (Associated Press)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen Amnesty International and Project Ploughshares accuse the Canadian government of violating the Arms Trade Treaty—which the country signed in 2019—by supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia that could be used in Yemen. (Al Jazeera)
The death toll from the wildfires in northern Algeria increases to 65, as the country battles a total of 69 fires for the fourth consecutive day. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declares three days of national mourning for the wildfire victims. (BBC News)
The leader of the Oromo Liberation Army announces that his group is now supporting Tigrayan forces fighting the government. (Associated Press)
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that the government will evacuate military personnel, interpreters and other local workers who collaborated with the Spanish mission. (Outlook) (Boston Herald)
United States officials warn that Kabul could be isolated and could fall under Taliban control in one to three months. (Asian News International)
Vanuatu's health authorities warn citizens about the transmission of dengue fever after 18 cases are reported in Port Vila. Authorities urge all residents to take precautionary measures. (RNZ International)
Wildfires in 2021 2021 Algeria wildfires The death toll from the wildfires in northern Algeria increases to 65, as the country battles a total of 69 fires for the fourth consecutive day. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declares three days of national mourning for the wildfire victims. (BBC News) 2021 Calabria wildfires, 2021 Sicily wildfires Two more people are killed by wildfires in Calabria, Italy, bringing the death toll from the fires there to four. Meanwhile, a man is killed by wildfires in Sicily. (The Guardian)
2021 Calabria wildfires, 2021 Sicily wildfires Two more people are killed by wildfires in Calabria, Italy, bringing the death toll from the fires there to four. Meanwhile, a man is killed by wildfires in Sicily. (The Guardian)
A Chinese court jails Canadian Michael Spavor for 11 years over alleged spying. (Hong Kong Free Press)
A court in Russia opens a criminal investigation into Alexei Navalny, who is already serving a two and a half year sentence for parole violations. The move comes one day after another court opened a criminal investigation into Navalny's allies Leonid Volkov and Ivan Zhdanov. (Reuters)
Amid an unprecedented heat wave and ongoing wildfires, authorities on the island of Sicily report a record temperature of 48.8°C (119.8°F). If verified by the World Meteorological Organization, it would be the highest temperature ever recorded in both Italy and Europe. (BBC News)
At least 10 people are killed and dozens more trapped under debris after a landslide in a Himalayan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. (BBC News)
Chile begins to administer booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine for people over the age of 55 who have already received two doses of the Coronavac vaccine. (Reuters)
Climate change in Africa Tunisia records its highest ever temperature of 50.3°C (122.3°F) in the city of Kairouan amid an unprecedented heat wave. (AllAfrica)
Climate change in Europe Amid an unprecedented heat wave and ongoing wildfires, authorities on the island of Sicily report a record temperature of 48.8°C (119.8°F). If verified by the World Meteorological Organization, it would be the highest temperature ever recorded in both Italy and Europe. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh lifts most of its lockdown measures, allowing banks, shops and shopping malls to reopen and for buses and trains to operate at half capacity despite an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths from the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California Governor Gavin Newsom announces that healthcare workers in the state will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo COVID-19 testing. (KSBY)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile begins to administer booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine for people over the age of 55 who have already received two doses of the Coronavac vaccine. (Reuters)
