Eight soldiers are killed and six more are wounded when a roadside bomb explodes in Rafah, Egypt. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack. (Al Jazeera)
Israel lowers the minimum eligibility age for "booster" COVID-19 vaccine doses from 60 to 50 years old and expands the booster vaccine campaign to healthcare workers, prisoners, prison wardens and some high-risk patients under the age of 50 as part of an effort to protect the population from the highly-transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. (Bloomberg News)
Sinai insurgency Eight soldiers are killed and six more are wounded when a roadside bomb explodes in Rafah, Egypt. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack. (Al Jazeera)
Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive, Battle of Lashkargah The Taliban captures the provincial capitals of Lashkargah, Chaghcharan, Puli Alam, Qalati Ghilji and Tarinkot, bringing the number of provincial capitals taken in the past eight days to eighteen. (Al Jazeera) Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirms that the jihadist group has captured Afghan warlord Ismail Khan, after the fall of Herat on Thursday. Footage shows Khan and other officials of Herat Province in the custody of the Taliban. (Reuters)
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirms that the jihadist group has captured Afghan warlord Ismail Khan, after the fall of Herat on Thursday. Footage shows Khan and other officials of Herat Province in the custody of the Taliban. (Reuters)
2021 China floods Twenty-one people are dead and 6,000 are evacuated as heavy rains impact five cities in Hubei Province, China. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Russian wildfires A "non-working day" is declared in Russia's Sakha republic, and residents are urged to stay at home as smoke from wildfires covers the region. The wildfires in Siberia are now larger than the combined size of all other wildfires currently burning in the rest of the world. (The Guardian) (ABC News)
A "non-working day" is declared in Russia's Sakha republic, and residents are urged to stay at home as smoke from wildfires covers the region. The wildfires in Siberia are now larger than the combined size of all other wildfires currently burning in the rest of the world. (The Guardian) (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announces that Canada will require vaccinations for federal public servants and air and train passengers. The mandate is expected to be implemented by the Crown corporation and other federally regulated businesses and will begin as soon as next month. (CBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt, COVID-19 vaccination in Egypt Egypt receives a shipment of 1.7 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX initiative, bringing the total number of COVAX-donated doses to 4.3 million. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Germany reclassifies the United States, Israel, Turkey, Kenya, Montenegro and Vietnam as "high risk" COVID-19 areas, triggering mandatory 10-day quarantines for unvaccinated travellers unless they can show a negative test after five days. The changes will be in effect from August 17 for Turkey and from August 15 for the rest of the countries. (Deutsche Welle)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii Hawaii reports a record 1,167 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Hawaii Public Radio)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record 20,365 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, including 5,773 new cases in Tokyo. It is also the first time that the country has reported more than 20,000 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. (Jiji Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan surpasses 20,000 deaths from COVID-19. (MLive)
COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri Missouri governor Mike Parson announces that around 500,000 residents have entered the MO VIP program, which incentives vaccination against COVID-19. (KMBC-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco receives their first shipment of 600,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (Morocco World News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 815 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 168,864. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka COVID-19 vaccination in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka announces that beginning on September 15, citizens will be required to show a vaccine card that states that they have received two vaccine doses in order to enter public places and travel between provinces. (Business Standard)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record for the second consecutive day of 23,418 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 863,189. (Xinhua News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia Zambia receives a shipment of 119,200 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United Kingdom through the COVAX initiative. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea South Korea signs an agreement with Pfizer to purchase 30 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in 2022 as part of a plan to administer 50 million "booster" doses of the vaccine. (The Korea Herald)
COVID-19 vaccination in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka announces that beginning on September 15, citizens will be required to show a vaccine card that states that they have received two vaccine doses in order to enter public places and travel between provinces. (Business Standard)
Egypt receives a shipment of 1.7 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX initiative, bringing the total number of COVAX-donated doses to 4.3 million. (Reuters)
Hawaii reports a record 1,167 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Hawaii Public Radio)
Israeli security forces launch stun grenades to disperse a crowd of worshippers who were praying outside the Cave of the Patriarchs in the occupied West Bank. (Al Jazeera)
Israeli–Palestinian conflict Israeli security forces launch stun grenades to disperse a crowd of worshippers who were praying outside the Cave of the Patriarchs in the occupied West Bank. (Al Jazeera)
Japan reports a record 20,365 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, including 5,773 new cases in Tokyo. It is also the first time that the country has reported more than 20,000 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. (Jiji Press)
Missouri governor Mike Parson announces that around 500,000 residents have entered the MO VIP program, which incentives vaccination against COVID-19. (KMBC-TV)
Morocco receives their first shipment of 600,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (Morocco World News)
Russia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 815 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 168,864. (Al Jazeera)
Samsung chairman Lee Jae-yong is released from prison in South Korea after his parole was announced on Monday. Lee served seven months out of a 30 month imprisonment sentence that had been imposed on him for financial corruption. Lee addressed journalists, saying that he will do "his best" from now on and apologizing for his crime. (France 24)
South Korea signs an agreement with Pfizer to purchase 30 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in 2022 as part of a plan to administer 50 million "booster" doses of the vaccine. (The Korea Herald)
Sri Lanka announces that beginning on September 15, citizens will be required to show a vaccine card that states that they have received two vaccine doses in order to enter public places and travel between provinces. (Business Standard)
Thailand reports a record for the second consecutive day of 23,418 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 863,189. (Xinhua News Agency)
The death toll from flash flooding in Turkey increases to 31, of whom 29 died in Kastamonu Province and two in the city of Sinop. (Reuters)
The Taliban captures the provincial capitals of Lashkargah, Chaghcharan, Puli Alam, Qalati Ghilji and Tarinkot, bringing the number of provincial capitals taken in the past eight days to eighteen. (Al Jazeera)
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announces that Canada will require vaccinations for federal public servants and air and train passengers. The mandate is expected to be implemented by the Crown corporation and other federally regulated businesses and will begin as soon as next month. (CBC News)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Germany reclassifies the United States, Israel, Turkey, Kenya, Montenegro and Vietnam as "high risk" COVID-19 areas, triggering mandatory 10-day quarantines for unvaccinated travellers unless they can show a negative test after five days. The changes will be in effect from August 17 for Turkey and from August 15 for the rest of the countries. (Deutsche Welle)
Twenty-one people are dead and 6,000 are evacuated as heavy rains impact five cities in Hubei Province, China. (Al Jazeera)
Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan U.S. Marines begin arriving in Kabul to secure the Hamid Karzai International Airport and evacuate U.S. embassy staff and allied Afghan interpreters. (CNBC)
Zambia receives a shipment of 119,200 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United Kingdom through the COVAX initiative. (Anadolu Agency)
2021 Haiti earthquake A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Petit Trou de Nippes, Haiti, killing at least 304 people and wounding more than 1,800 others. Several homes and buildings collapsed, with the earthquake being felt across the Caribbean. No tsunami warning has been issued. Haiti is still recovering from a major earthquake that impacted the country in 2010. (Reuters) (BBC News)
2021 Zambian general election President Edgar Lungu declares that Thursday's elections were "not free or fair", citing instances of electoral violence in three provinces, such as the beating of polling agents representing his party Patriotic Front. Early election results showed Lungu trailing behind his opponent, businessman Hakainde Hichilema. (Reuters)
A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Petit Trou de Nippes, Haiti, killing at least 304 people and wounding more than 1,800 others. Several homes and buildings collapsed, with the earthquake being felt across the Caribbean. No tsunami warning has been issued. Haiti is still recovering from a major earthquake that impacted the country in 2010. (Reuters) (BBC News)
President Edgar Lungu declares that Thursday's elections were "not free or fair", citing instances of electoral violence in three provinces, such as the beating of polling agents representing his party Patriotic Front. Early election results showed Lungu trailing behind his opponent, businessman Hakainde Hichilema. (Reuters)
The Taliban captures the eastern Logar Province and seizes seven more provincial capitals, Gardez, Sharana, Asadabad, Maymana, Mihtarlam, Nili and Mazar-i-Sharif, as heavy fighting is reported amid a rapid advance of the group towards the capital Kabul. Mazar-i-Sharif had been visited on Wednesday by President Ashraf Ghani. (Deutsche Welle) (Al Jazeera)
Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Twelve people are killed and more are wounded during a grenade attack against a truck carrying a family from a wedding ceremony in a Karachi, Pakistan. (The Hindu)
It is reported that the Taliban has reached the outskirts of Kabul as the government seeks to control the city as a last stronghold. (Miami Herald) (Reuters)
President Ghani addresses the nation and says that he is in "urgent talks" with local leaders and international partners as the Taliban advances closer to Kabul. Ghani did not comment on the Taliban's demand that he resign in order to restore talks. (Reuters)
Taliban forces seize the palace of U.S.-backed Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum in Mazar-i-Sharif amid reports that the warlord had left the country. Former warlord and Governor of Balkh Atta Muhammad Nur had also left the country, according to reports. (The Nation)
Twelve people are killed and more are wounded during a grenade attack against a truck carrying a family from a wedding ceremony in a Karachi, Pakistan. (The Hindu)
2021 Akkar explosion A fuel truck explodes in Akkar District, Lebanon, killing at least 28 people and injuring 79 others. (Reuters)
2021 Turkish floods The death toll from the flash floods in Kastamonu Province and Sinop, Turkey, increases to 57. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Turkish wildfires A Beriev Be-200, sent to help those affected by the wildfires in Kahramanmaraş, crashes, killing all eight people on board, including five Russian servicemen and three Turkish citizens. (Al Jazeera)
A Beriev Be-200, sent to help those affected by the wildfires in Kahramanmaraş, crashes, killing all eight people on board, including five Russian servicemen and three Turkish citizens. (Al Jazeera)
A fuel truck explodes in Akkar District, Lebanon, killing at least 28 people and injuring 79 others. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales New South Wales enters a statewide lockdown which also applies to all regional parts of the state that are currently under a stay-at-home order. All non-essential retail premises must close and all hospitality venues will revert to takeaway services after a record 466 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past 24 hours. (SBS World News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Denmark removes its mandatory face mask policy for public transport such as buses, trains or ferries, and also removes its recommendation of 1 meter of social distancing in public spaces. (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Denmark removes its mandatory face mask policy for public transport such as buses, trains or ferries, and also removes its recommendation of 1 meter of social distancing in public spaces. (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran announces a six-day general lockdown in all cities that will include the closure of bazaars, markets, public offices, movie theaters, gyms and restaurants as well as a ban on intra-city travel. The lockdown will occur from August 16 to August 21. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales New South Wales enters a statewide lockdown which also applies to all regional parts of the state that are currently under a stay-at-home order. All non-essential retail premises must close and all hospitality venues will revert to takeaway services after a record 466 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past 24 hours. (SBS World News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines surpasses 30,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Rappler)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam reports a record 9,716 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 265,464. (CNA)
Denmark removes its mandatory face mask policy for public transport such as buses, trains or ferries, and also removes its recommendation of 1 meter of social distancing in public spaces. (NDTV)
Eleven people are killed by the waves in the sea area off Zhangzhou, Fujian, China. (China Daily)
For the first time since the offensive began, the Taliban commandeers Mi-17 helicopters captured from the Afghan Air Force. The militants were filmed flying the aircraft over the city of Kandahar. The jihadist group has also seized several UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. (MSN)
Iran announces a six-day general lockdown in all cities that will include the closure of bazaars, markets, public offices, movie theaters, gyms and restaurants as well as a ban on intra-city travel. The lockdown will occur from August 16 to August 21. (The Times of Israel)
Ivory Coast reports its first case of the Ebola hemorrhagic virus since 1994 in an isolated case of an 18-year-old girl who travelled from Guinea and is currently hospitalized in Abidjan. (Reuters)
New South Wales enters a statewide lockdown which also applies to all regional parts of the state that are currently under a stay-at-home order. All non-essential retail premises must close and all hospitality venues will revert to takeaway services after a record 466 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past 24 hours. (SBS World News)
The death toll from the flash floods in Kastamonu Province and Sinop, Turkey, increases to 57. (Al Jazeera)
Vietnam reports a record 9,716 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 265,464. (CNA)
In his first public comments since going into exile, ousted president Ashraf Ghani concedes that the Taliban has "won the war" in Afghanistan, saying that "they are now facing a new historical test. Either they will preserve the name and honour of Afghanistan or they will give priority to other places and networks". (The Hindu)
2021 Canadian federal election Prime Minister Justin Trudeau obtains the dissolution of the House of Commons for an election scheduled on September 20. (CBC News)
A batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Australia from Poland, in which half of vaccine doses will target people aged 20 to 39 years old in 12 local government areas of concern across New South Wales. (SBS World News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 vaccination in Australia A batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Australia from Poland, in which half of vaccine doses will target people aged 20 to 39 years old in 12 local government areas of concern across New South Wales. (SBS World News)
