Over five million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in British Columbia. (CHEK News)
Reform of the United Nations Security Council In a joint statement, UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab and his German counterpart Heiko Maas call for Germany to permanently join the United Nations Security Council, after outgoing German UN ambassador Christoph Heusgen said earlier in the day that this needs to happen in order to reflect the shifting global power balance. (DW) (Reuters)
Russia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 669 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 135,214. (Barron's)
Saudi Arabian state-run news channel Al Arabiya reports that authorities seized a shipment of 4.5 million Captagon amphetamine pills, smuggled inside several orange cartons, at a port in Jeddah. (Al Jazeera)
Thailand reports a record 53 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,023. (Bangkok Post)
The discovery of 182 unmarked graves at the site of the Kootenay Indian Residential School near Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada, is announced, weeks after the remains of 215 children were found at a similar residential school. (CTV News Vancouver)
The number of sudden deaths due to the extreme hot temperatures in British Columbia, Canada, increases to 486. The death toll represents a 195% increase of the 165 sudden deaths that would normally occur over this period. While the official cause of death for each deceased person has not yet been established, many are linked to the hot temperatures. (BBC News)
The trial of Yemeni actress and model Intisar al-Hammadi begins in Sanaa. al-Hammadi stands accused of "indecent acts" for posting photos of herself without a headscarf on social media. She was arrested in February by Houthi authorities. Human Rights Watch denounces the trial as unfair and says that al-Hammadi was subjected to physical and verbal abuse, racist insults and forced to sign documents while blindfolded and also being threatened to undergo a virginity test. (BBC News)
The United Kingdom reports 26,068 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of cases since January 29. (Sky News)
Women's rights in Yemen The trial of Yemeni actress and model Intisar al-Hammadi begins in Sanaa. al-Hammadi stands accused of "indecent acts" for posting photos of herself without a headscarf on social media. She was arrested in February by Houthi authorities. Human Rights Watch denounces the trial as unfair and says that al-Hammadi was subjected to physical and verbal abuse, racist insults and forced to sign documents while blindfolded and also being threatened to undergo a virginity test. (BBC News)
Economy of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele requests a minimum wage increase of 20% due to poor Salvadorans suffering from an "onslaught of global inflation". Bukele also orders more food handouts to combat hunger during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The country recently had a government reshuffle, which has put in doubt negotiations for a potential $1 billion financing program from the International Monetary Fund. (Reuters)
Economy of Uganda Uganda imposes a new tax rate for using the internet as the government orders a 12% excise duty on mobile data. President Yoweri Museveni defends the tax as he says that social media users are "endlessly donating money to foreign telephone companies through chatting or even lying" and described the use of social media as a "luxury". This tax proposal, which takes effect immediately, resulted in protests in 2018 and 2019. (Africa Feeds)
President Nayib Bukele requests a minimum wage increase of 20% due to poor Salvadorans suffering from an "onslaught of global inflation". Bukele also orders more food handouts to combat hunger during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The country recently had a government reshuffle, which has put in doubt negotiations for a potential $1 billion financing program from the International Monetary Fund. (Reuters)
Uganda imposes a new tax rate for using the internet as the government orders a 12% excise duty on mobile data. President Yoweri Museveni defends the tax as he says that social media users are "endlessly donating money to foreign telephone companies through chatting or even lying" and described the use of social media as a "luxury". This tax proposal, which takes effect immediately, resulted in protests in 2018 and 2019. (Africa Feeds)
Authorities reveal that the attackers who attempted to assassinate Ugandan general Katumba Wamala in Kampala were Islamic extremists who were trained in a jihadist camp in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, and had links with the Allied Democratic Forces and the Islamic State. Wamala was injured during the attack but survived, while his daughter and his driver were killed. (Reuters)
Community Activities Restrictions Enforcement President Joko Widodo announces emergency community restrictions in 122 regencies and cities in Java and Bali, including the capital Jakarta from July 3 to 20 which would require non-essential businesses and places of worship to close. (Reuters) (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Community Activities Restrictions Enforcement President Joko Widodo announces emergency community restrictions in 122 regencies and cities in Java and Bali, including the capital Jakarta from July 3 to 20 which would require non-essential businesses and places of worship to close. (Reuters) (CNA) Indonesia reports a record 24,836 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.2 million. (detikNews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio announces a nationwide curfew in the country to combat the spread of COVID-19. (The Sierra Leone Telegraph)
President Joko Widodo announces emergency community restrictions in 122 regencies and cities in Java and Bali, including the capital Jakarta from July 3 to 20 which would require non-essential businesses and places of worship to close. (Reuters) (CNA)
President Julius Maada Bio announces a nationwide curfew in the country to combat the spread of COVID-19. (The Sierra Leone Telegraph)
The United States adds Turkey to its list of governments that are implicated in the use of child soldiers, saying that the country has provided "tangible support" to the Neo-Ottoman Sultan Murad Division, in Syria and Libya, which uses child soldiers. It is the first time that a NATO member state has been included in the Trafficking in Persons Report. (Reuters)
Turkey–United States relations The United States adds Turkey to its list of governments that are implicated in the use of child soldiers, saying that the country has provided "tangible support" to the Neo-Ottoman Sultan Murad Division, in Syria and Libya, which uses child soldiers. It is the first time that a NATO member state has been included in the Trafficking in Persons Report. (Reuters)
2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raises the alert status of Taal Volcano to level 3 after the volcano emitted a kilometer-high ash plume, forcing authorities in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite to evacuate thousands of people. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Canadian Indian residential schools gravesite discoveries Indigenous protesters tear down the Statue of Queen Victoria in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, as protests grow over the mass graves of indigenous children discovered at former Canadian Indian residential schools. A smaller statue of Queen Elizabeth II was also toppled nearby. (BBC News) Multiple Catholic Churches on or near indigenous grounds have been burned down. (CBC)
Cannabis in Rwanda Rwanda legalizes the medical use of cannabis. However, recreational use of cannabis remains illegal. (The East African)
Climate change in Antarctica The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization confirms that a record high temperature of 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) has been recorded in Antarctica at the Esperanza Base. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh imposes a lockdown that suspends all public transport and only allows people to leave their house for emergency reasons due to a substantial increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Soldiers are deployed to enforce the lockdown. (Voice of America)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record of 431 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national total of cases to 4,849. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services also reports two deaths, bringing the death toll to 24, with 22 of these deaths having occurred since the current outbreak began in April. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces a month-long vaccination raffle in which residents can win a total of $5 million in cash (one grand prize of $2 million or three prizes of $1 million) and $500,000 total in college scholarships for children aged 12 to 17 years old (nine prizes of $55,000). The winners will be drawn on August 4. (MLive.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 672 deaths from COVID-19, bringing the nationwide death toll to 135,886. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 57 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,080. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom reports 27,989 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of cases since January 25. (ITV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey lifts nearly all COVID-19-related business restrictions, as well as nighttime and Sunday curfews as the number of cases remains steady. Only hookah shops continue to remain closed. (AP) COVID-19 vaccination in Turkey Turkey begins to give a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers and people aged above 50 years old. (Hurriyet Daily News)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces a month-long vaccination raffle in which residents can win a total of $5 million in cash (one grand prize of $2 million or three prizes of $1 million) and $500,000 total in college scholarships for children aged 12 to 17 years old (nine prizes of $55,000). The winners will be drawn on August 4. (MLive.com)
COVID-19 vaccination in Turkey Turkey begins to give a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers and people aged above 50 years old. (Hurriyet Daily News)
Fiji reports a record of 431 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national total of cases to 4,849. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services also reports two deaths, bringing the death toll to 24, with 22 of these deaths having occurred since the current outbreak began in April. (RNZ)
Indigenous protesters tear down the Statue of Queen Victoria in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, as protests grow over the mass graves of indigenous children discovered at former Canadian Indian residential schools. A smaller statue of Queen Elizabeth II was also toppled nearby. (BBC News) Multiple Catholic Churches on or near indigenous grounds have been burned down. (CBC)
Indonesia reports a record 24,836 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.2 million. (detikNews)
Lytton wildfire The village of Lytton, British Columbia, is evacuated after a wildfire destroys 90% of the village amid an unprecedented heat wave caused by a rare "heat dome" event over the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. The village recently recorded Canada's highest ever temperature of 49.6 °C (121.3 °F). (BBC News)
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces a month-long vaccination raffle in which residents can win a total of $5 million in cash (one grand prize of $2 million or three prizes of $1 million) and $500,000 total in college scholarships for children aged 12 to 17 years old (nine prizes of $55,000). The winners will be drawn on August 4. (MLive.com)
Russia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 672 deaths from COVID-19, bringing the nationwide death toll to 135,886. (The Moscow Times)
Rwanda legalizes the medical use of cannabis. However, recreational use of cannabis remains illegal. (The East African)
Thailand reports a record 57 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,080. (Bangkok Post)
The European Union launches the EU Digital COVID Certificate that contains a proof of vaccination, a negative test, or proof of recovery from COVID-19, and is designed to allow Europeans to resume travel across the bloc without quarantine in order to boost tourism. (Financial Times)
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raises the alert status of Taal Volcano to level 3 after the volcano emitted a kilometer-high ash plume, forcing authorities in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite to evacuate thousands of people. (Al Jazeera)
The United Kingdom reports 27,989 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of cases since January 25. (ITV News)
The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization confirms that a record high temperature of 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) has been recorded in Antarctica at the Esperanza Base. (France 24)
The village of Lytton, British Columbia, is evacuated after a wildfire destroys 90% of the village amid an unprecedented heat wave caused by a rare "heat dome" event over the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. The village recently recorded Canada's highest ever temperature of 49.6 °C (121.3 °F). (BBC News)
Turkey begins to give a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers and people aged above 50 years old. (Hurriyet Daily News)
Turkey lifts nearly all COVID-19-related business restrictions, as well as nighttime and Sunday curfews as the number of cases remains steady. Only hookah shops continue to remain closed. (AP)
Brazil prosecutors open a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a scandal involving the Covaxin vaccine. (Macau Business)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil Brazil prosecutors open a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a scandal involving the Covaxin vaccine. (Macau Business)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan receives 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the United States, facilitated through the COVAX initiative, UNICEF and the Government of Pakistan. (AP)
COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil Brazil prosecutors open a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a scandal involving the Covaxin vaccine. (Macau Business)
Elections in the United Kingdom, Batley and Spen by-election The opposition Labour Party narrowly holds the West Yorkshire constituency of Batley and Spen with a reduced majority of just 323 votes, defying expectations of a loss. (BBC News)
A massive fire breaks out at an undersea gas pipeline which connects to the Ku-Maloob-Zaap oil field, off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. The fire took five hours to contain. Mexican state-run oil company Pemex, who is in charge of the oil field's operations, orders an investigation into the cause of the fire. (Reuters)
Bosnia and Herzegovina reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant in a Spanish woman who visited the Catholic pilgrimage site of Medjugorje. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Lockdown restrictions are lifted in the Northern Territory after a decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases. Masks will still be required indoors, private gatherings will be limited to 10 people, and gyms will remain closed. Lockdown restrictions are also lifted in regional Queensland, but masks will still be required indoors, and private gatherings will be limited to 30 people. (ABC News Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant in a Spanish woman who visited the Catholic pilgrimage site of Medjugorje. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau receives his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Trudeau received the Moderna vaccine for his second dose instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Santa Cruz del Islote, one of the most densely populated islands on Earth, becomes the first Colombian territory to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (El Tiempo)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record five deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the death toll to 29. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India surpasses 400,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the U.S. and Brazil. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia The Food and Drug Authority grants an emergency use authorization for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Antara) Indonesia reports a record third consecutive day of 24,836 new cases and a record fourth consecutive day of 539 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total confirmed cases and death toll to 2.22 million and to 59,534, respectively. (detikHealth)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada The positivity rate for COVID-19 in Nevada reaches 6%, the highest in the state since March 7. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon The Oregon Health Authority announces that over 70% of adults in the state have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (The Columbian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal imposes a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in 19 "very high risk" municipalities, including Lisbon and Albufeira, and 26 "high risk" municipalities, due to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. (The Portugal News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 679 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 136,565. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, COVID-19 vaccine The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education announces that it will vaccinate students aged 12 and 18. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa reports a record 24,270 new cases from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.02 million. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record for the third consecutive day of 61 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,141. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia The Food and Drug Authority grants an emergency use authorization for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Antara)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon The Oregon Health Authority announces that over 70% of adults in the state have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (The Columbian)
Fiji reports a record five deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the death toll to 29. (RNZ)
Indonesia reports a record third consecutive day of 24,836 new cases and a record fourth consecutive day of 539 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total confirmed cases and death toll to 2.22 million and to 59,534, respectively. (detikHealth)
