Kidnapping in Nigeria A kidnapped female student is found dead as the Nigerian Army rescues five other students and two teachers who were kidnapped on Thursday from a school in Kebbi State. (Reuters via SwissInfo)
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin closes the Euro 2020 fan zone due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Russian capital. (DW)
Oman speeds up its COVID-19 vaccination as the number of cases increases in the country, which has seen only a small percentage of the population vaccinated. (Reuters)
Papua New Guinea receives 146,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from New Zealand, facilitated through the COVAX initiative. (RNZ)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern receives her first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (Stuff.co.nz)
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that as of June 26, it will no longer be mandatory to wear a face mask outdoors. (La Vanguardia)
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (La Vanguardia)
Restrictions are eased in Melbourne as the number of cases decreases. Melbournians will now be allowed to travel anywhere in the state of Victoria, public gatherings increase to 20 people and masks are no longer required outdoors. Private gatherings of up to two people will be allowed, gyms and indoor entertainment reopen, and workforce capacities increase. These new restrictions bring Melbourne into line with the rest of Victoria. (9 News)
The Palestinian Authority cancels a planned vaccine exchange with Israel involving at least one million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, saying the first batch of doses Israel was going to send were near expiration. The swap was previously announced earlier in the day. (Al Jazeera)
The United Nations General Assembly reelects current Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres for a second term beginning in January. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani names Bismillah Khan Mohammadi as his new defense minister and Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal as the new interior minister, replacing their respective predecessors amid a deteriorating security situation, with foreign forces withdrawing from the country and the Taliban gaining territory, capturing six more districts. (DW)
2021 Brazilian protests As Brazil reaches 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19, demonstrations are held in hundreds of Brazilian cities and by Brazilians abroad. Protestors are critical of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic and demand his impeachment. (The Guardian)
2021 Peruvian general election Supporters of Pedro Castillo and Keiko Fujimori gather following the election. Castillo supporters call for his win to be upheld, while Fujimori supporters call for the results to be overturned. (Al Jazeera)
As Brazil reaches 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19, demonstrations are held in hundreds of Brazilian cities and by Brazilians abroad. Protestors are critical of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic and demand his impeachment. (The Guardian)
President Ashraf Ghani names Bismillah Khan Mohammadi as his new defense minister and Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal as the new interior minister, replacing their respective predecessors amid a deteriorating security situation, with foreign forces withdrawing from the country and the Taliban gaining territory, capturing six more districts. (DW)
Saudi air defenses destroy six armed drones late in the evening, bringing the total of armed drones destroyed during the day to 17. A Houthi spokesman says that one drone was launched at Khamis Mushait while the Saudi air defenses say that two other drones toward Khamis Mushait were intercepted and that eight other drones were also launched toward the south of the kingdom. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen Saudi air defenses destroy six armed drones late in the evening, bringing the total of armed drones destroyed during the day to 17. A Houthi spokesman says that one drone was launched at Khamis Mushait while the Saudi air defenses say that two other drones toward Khamis Mushait were intercepted and that eight other drones were also launched toward the south of the kingdom. (Reuters)
Six people are critically wounded as a man intentionally drove his pickup truck into a group of cyclists taking part in a charity bike ride in Show Low, Arizona. The driver is shot and arrested. The motive behind the attack is unknown so far. (BBC News)
Supporters of Pedro Castillo and Keiko Fujimori gather following the election. Castillo supporters call for his win to be upheld, while Fujimori supporters call for the results to be overturned. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Myanmar protests Protesters against the military junta carry out a national day of "flower protest" to celebrate the 76th birthday of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and condemn her arrest. The flower symbol was allegedly chosen because Suu Kyi is often seen with a flower on her head. Protests supporting the military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing also occur across the country. (DW)
Australia begins lodging a formal complaint against China with the World Trade Organization over anti-dumping duties on imported Australian wine. (The Guardian)
Australia–China relations Australia begins lodging a formal complaint against China with the World Trade Organization over anti-dumping duties on imported Australian wine. (The Guardian)
Cambodia reports a record 20 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 414. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Cambodia reports a record 20 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 414. (Bangkok Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Laos Laos extends its lockdown measures for another 15 days until July 4 as the number of community transmission cases of COVID-19 continue to increase. (The Laotian Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia reports a record 14 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 439. (Xinhuanet)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the second country to do so after the United States. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Cambodia reports a record 20 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 414. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record 150 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national toll to 1,798. The Ministry of Health reports that most cases are from known clusters while others are under investigation. Also, Australia and New Zealand announce that they will deploy doctors to Fiji to help deal with the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (RNZ) (FBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana Indiana reports its first case of the Delta variant of COVID-19. (WTHR-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Laos Laos extends its lockdown measures for another 15 days until July 4 as the number of community transmission cases of COVID-19 continue to increase. (The Laotian Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia reports a record 14 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 439. (Xinhuanet)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana Indiana reports its first case of the Delta variant of COVID-19. (WTHR-TV)
Fiji reports a record 150 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national toll to 1,798. The Ministry of Health reports that most cases are from known clusters while others are under investigation. Also, Australia and New Zealand announce that they will deploy doctors to Fiji to help deal with the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (RNZ) (FBC News)
Indiana reports its first case of the Delta variant of COVID-19. (WTHR-TV)
Laos extends its lockdown measures for another 15 days until July 4 as the number of community transmission cases of COVID-19 continue to increase. (The Laotian Times)
Mongolia reports a record 14 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 439. (Xinhuanet)
Protesters against the military junta carry out a national day of "flower protest" to celebrate the 76th birthday of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and condemn her arrest. The flower symbol was allegedly chosen because Suu Kyi is often seen with a flower on her head. Protests supporting the military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing also occur across the country. (DW)
2021 Armenian parliamentary election In a parliamentary snap election, former and acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract wins the majority of seats of the National Assembly, but 16 fewer than it did in 2018. (Reuters)
2021 French regional elections In a series of elections seen as a major bellwether for next year's presidential election, exit polls show left-wing parties and the right-wing Republicans as the main winners, obtaining 34% and 29% of the total votes respectively. The far-right National Rally and the ruling centrist La République En Marche! receive disappointing results, with the former receiving 19% of the total votes, and the latter receiving only 10.9% and not even qualifying for the second round in some regions. (Politico.eu)
In a parliamentary snap election, former and acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract wins the majority of seats of the National Assembly, but 16 fewer than it did in 2018. (Reuters)
In a series of elections seen as a major bellwether for next year's presidential election, exit polls show left-wing parties and the right-wing Republicans as the main winners, obtaining 34% and 29% of the total votes respectively. The far-right National Rally and the ruling centrist La République En Marche! receive disappointing results, with the former receiving 19% of the total votes, and the latter receiving only 10.9% and not even qualifying for the second round in some regions. (Politico.eu)
Diplomats meet in Vienna to negotiate and restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an agreement signed in 2015. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warns against rejoining the deal and calls for allies to "wake up" to the threat of Iran. (U.S. News & World Report) (BBC News)
Prime Minister of the provisional Libyan government Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh announces the reopening of a major coastal road connecting the western city of Misrata and the eastern city of Sirte, declaring it a major step in restoring stability in the country. However, a media unit connected to the Libyan National Army disputes this, saying that the road remains closed. (Al Jazeera)
The government signs an agreement to purchase 40 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. It is the largest COVID-19 vaccine deal in the Philippines. (CNA)
The Libyan Presidential Council bans all unauthorized military movement in the country, after forces loyal to Libyan National Army leader Khalifa Haftar announce that they have seized control of the southern border with Algeria earlier in the day. The seizure was the first major military operation of its type since the ceasefire was signed last October. (Al Jazeera) (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record for the second consecutive day of 166 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,964. The Ministry of Health also reports the death of a 77-year-old man from COVID-19. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France lifts its nighttime curfew due to an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the country. The country previously dropped its outdoor mask requirement on June 17. (SortiraParis)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports 13,737 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of cases since January 30. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in China surpasses one billion. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan COVID-19 vaccination in Taiwan, Taiwan–United States relations The United States sends 2.5 million doses of Moderna's vaccine to Taiwan. (Time)
Fiji reports a record for the second consecutive day of 166 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,964. The Ministry of Health also reports the death of a 77-year-old man from COVID-19. (RNZ)
France lifts its nighttime curfew due to an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the country. The country previously dropped its outdoor mask requirement on June 17. (SortiraParis)
Germany bans the flag of Hamas after it was used during protests over the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis. (Hamodia)
Indonesia reports 13,737 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of cases since January 30. (Reuters)
The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in China surpasses one billion. (CNN)
2021 Ethiopian general election Ethiopian voters head to the polls to elect a new session to the House of Peoples' Representatives after months of delays. The election occurs in the midst of multiple problems affecting the country, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, deteriorating conditions in the Tigray Region brought on by the Tigray War, and the jailing of multiple oppositional figures. (CNN)
2021 Swedish government crisis Prime Minister Stefan Löfven's government collapses after a vote of no-confidence is adopted by the Riksdag. Löfven has one week to either resign or call a snap election. (CNN)
Ethiopian voters head to the polls to elect a new session to the House of Peoples' Representatives after months of delays. The election occurs in the midst of multiple problems affecting the country, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, deteriorating conditions in the Tigray Region brought on by the Tigray War, and the jailing of multiple oppositional figures. (CNN)
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven's government collapses after a vote of no-confidence is adopted by the Riksdag. Löfven has one week to either resign or call a snap election. (CNN)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that the nine Catalan separatist leaders involved in the unsuccessful 2017 independence bid will be pardoned tomorrow, saying that this is needed to ease tensions with Catalonia. President of the Catalan Government Pere Aragonès welcomes the pardons but says that they will pursue more concessions, such as a new authorized independence referendum. The Spanish oppositional parties subsequently announce that they will try to reverse the pardons. (Reuters)
The Australian National Party undergoes a leadership spill, replacing Michael McCormack with New England Representative Barnaby Joyce. Joyce previously lead the Nationals from 2016 to 2018 and was replaced by McCormack following sexual harassment allegations. As per the party's coalition agreement with the Australian Liberal Party, Joyce is set to replace McCormack as Deputy Prime Minister. Many Nationals have been critical of the Morrison Government's move towards carbon neutrality and hope that Joyce will counter this. (ABC News Australia)
Trial of Catalan independence leaders Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that the nine Catalan separatist leaders involved in the unsuccessful 2017 independence bid will be pardoned tomorrow, saying that this is needed to ease tensions with Catalonia. President of the Catalan Government Pere Aragonès welcomes the pardons but says that they will pursue more concessions, such as a new authorized independence referendum. The Spanish oppositional parties subsequently announce that they will try to reverse the pardons. (Reuters)
A judge in Peru rejects a plea from public prosecutor José Domingo Pérez to send Popular Force party leader and presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori back to prison for allegedly violating her bail conditions over charges of money laundering and corruption. Pérez says that he will appeal the judge's ruling. (DW)
Foreign relations of Nicaragua The Argentinian and Mexican foreign ministries announce in a joint statement that they are withdrawing their respective ambassadors from Nicaragua for consultations in response to President Daniel Ortega's increasing crackdown on dissidents, including the arrest of five potential presidential candidates this month. (Al Jazeera)
New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard becomes the first transgender athlete chosen to compete in the Olympic Games, as the New Zealand Olympic Committee announces she is selected to compete in the Tokyo Olympics as part of the women's weightlifting team. (BBC News)
The Argentinian and Mexican foreign ministries announce in a joint statement that they are withdrawing their respective ambassadors from Nicaragua for consultations in response to President Daniel Ortega's increasing crackdown on dissidents, including the arrest of five potential presidential candidates this month. (Al Jazeera)
The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announce that it will allow spectactors at the 2020 Summer Olympics with a 50% cap at venues and up to a maximum of 10,000 people. However, the fans would be restricted in the event of state of emergency or any other restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. (CNN)
China reports 25 new confirmed cases, up from 17 infections a day earlier. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China reports 25 new confirmed cases, up from 17 infections a day earlier. (CNA) COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala Kerala reports their first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant. (New Indian Express) COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia surpasses two million cases of COVID-19 after reporting a record 14,536 new cases in the past 24 hours. (detikHealth) COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 700,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba Cuba says that the Abdala vaccine is proven to be 92% effective against COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala Kerala reports their first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant. (New Indian Express)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia surpasses two million cases of COVID-19 after reporting a record 14,536 new cases in the past 24 hours. (detikHealth)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala Kerala reports their first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant. (New Indian Express)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China reports 25 new confirmed cases, up from 17 infections a day earlier. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 700,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Star)
