Immigration detention in Australia An Iranian Kurdish asylum seeker living among the community in Australia sues the Commonwealth government in the Federal Court for detaining him in two hotel rooms for over a year. This is the latest in a growing movement of refugees suing Australia for alleged human rights abuses.
Hong Kong national security law Police arrest a 40-year-old man at a mall for booing the Chinese national anthem during the ceremony for Hong Kong's first gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Police added the man carried a Hong Kong colonial flag and that he was arrested on grounds of the man's aim to "incite hatred and politicize sports".
The first person to be charged under the national security law, 24-year-old Tong Ying-kit, is sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted last Tuesday for terrorism and secession.
Philippine president Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte halts the termination process of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a military pact between the Philippines and the United States
COVID-19 pandemic The National Capital Region will be placed under the strictest Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in an effort to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta variant. The Enhanced Community Quarantine will be in effect from 6-20 August 2021.
Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura says that the country has entered an "extremely frightening" stage of the pandemic as cases rise in Tokyo. The government extends the state of emergency in the capital and three surrounding prefectures, and includes Osaka, where the measures in four other prefectures will be in effect from August 2 to 31. The wave is fueled by the Delta variant and 60% of beds in the capital are occupied.
Israel begins the world's first third-dose vaccination campaign for people over 60 years old, with the president Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal Herzog receiving a third dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Cambodia imposes a two-week lockdown in eight provinces bordering Thailand and a nationwide night curfew in an effort to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta variant.
2021 Taliban offensive The Taliban enters the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of the city of Lashkargah, according to a provincial government spokesman, who reported heavy fighting between government forces and the armed group as civilians flee the city.
2019–2021 Persian Gulf crisis A British and Romanian crew members are killed in a suicide drone attack on an Israeli owned oil tanker near the coast of Oman.
2020 Summer Olympics Sammarinese shooter Alessandra Perilli gets 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.
Peru Peru's President Pedro Castillo names Guido Bellido of the party Free Peru as his prime minister. The designation of Bellido is seen as a move that will likely scare investors who are wary of the new leftist government, according to Reuters analysts. His designation must now be confirmed by the Congress.
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.
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issues a mask mandate for indoor public spaces as part of an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The mandate will be in effect on July 31.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson declares a public health emergency in Arkansas amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. He also announces a special legislative session to change the law that prevents public schools from issuing mask mandates.
U.S. President Joe Biden announces that federal employees will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or undergo a COVID-19 test. He also urges The Pentagon to approve a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the United States military.
Russia reports a record 799 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 156,277.
Portugal announces three phases for lifting its COVID-19-related restrictions, including ending localized curfews and operating hours restrictions for restaurants, stores and cultural venues on August 1 as the number of cases continues to decline. However, bars and discothèques will only be allowed to reopen in October.
Northern Ireland announces that it will allow fully-vaccinated travellers from amber list European Union countries as well as the United States to enter without needing to quarantine beginning on August 1.
Uzbekistan reports a record 879 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 127,506.
Thailand reports a record for the second consecutive day of 17,669 new cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 561,030. The country also reports a record 165 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 4,562.
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.
Tokyo reports a record for the third consecutive day of 3,865 new cases of COVID-19, while the number of new cases across Japan surpasses 10,000 for the first time.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announces that a booster shot will be offered for people aged 60, making Israel the first country to do so.
Kerala announces a total weekend lockdown on July 31 and August 1 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Flash flood Flash flooding kills at least 60 people and leaves several others missing in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, amid torrential rains.
2021 wildfire season Three people are killed and 58 more wounded during multiple simultaneous wildfires in Manavgat, Antalya. The fires cause mass evacuations in several provinces.
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.
Tigray War Fighting escalates in Ethiopia's Amhara Region as Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) continue their offensive. Federal forces as well as Amharan militiamen are fighting the TDF on three fronts. Clashes are also reported in the Afar Region, to the east, with Ethiopian officials accusing Tigrayan forces of attempting to seize the N'Djamena–Djibouti Highway.
War in Afghanistan 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.
Syrian civil war Eight Syrian soldiers, seven rebel fighters and eight civilians are killed in clashes in Daraa Governorate.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports The Washington Nationals postpones their game against the Philadelphia Phillies after 12 people within the organization test positive for COVID-19.
Pedro Castillo Socialist rural teacher Pedro Castillo is sworn-in as President of Peru during its bicentennial.
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.
Belarus–United States relations U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the White House. Biden reiterates his support for the Belarusian opposition activists for "[their] quest for democracy and universal human rights" as Tsikhanouskaya thanks Biden and says that "Belarus will be a success story".
Australian Imprisoned Australian publisher Julian Assange is stripped of his Ecuadorian citizenship due to issues with his application forms and outstanding fees.
LGBT rights in Ghana Lawmakers in Ghana propose a bill that would criminalize displays of same-sex affection and the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights with up to ten years in prison. In May, 21 LGBTQ+ activists were arrested under charges of promoting an LGBTQ+ agenda and unlawful assembly. Human rights organizations and local LGBTQ+ groups condemn the proposed bill.
COVID-19 pandemic 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.
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.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issues a mask mandate for indoor public spaces to combat the spread of COVID-19.
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.
Alberta drops their COVID-19 quarantine for close contacts of cases, as well as relaxing health measures.
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.
The Italian Medicines Agency approves the usage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17, making it the second vaccine to be approved for use in teenagers in Italy after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu receives her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the vaccination campaign begins in the country.
Rwanda imposes tighter lockdown measures in 50 sectors with high positivity rates in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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.
8.2 magnitude earthquake 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.
Mount Sinabung Mount Sinabung in the North Sumatra region of Indonesia begins billowing ash up to 4,500 m 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 km of the volcano.
Migrant worker Eighteen migrant workers are dead and at least 30 more are wounded when their bus is hit by a truck in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Argentina 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.
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.
War in Afghanistan 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.