July 29, 2021 (Thursday)

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.

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.

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.

Eight Syrian soldiers, seven rebel fighters and eight civilians are killed in clashes in Daraa Governorate.

The Royal Spanish Academy confirms that Alfonso de Palencia's dictionary dates from 1492, so it predates Antonio de Nebrija's "Latin-Spanish Dictionary" and becomes the earliest known Spanish vocabulary.

The Dixie Fire grows to 221,504 acres, making it the 13th largest wildfire in California.

Flash flooding kills at least 60 people and leaves several others missing in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, amid torrential rains.

Three people are killed and 58 more wounded during multiple simultaneous wildfires in Manavgat, Antalya. The fires cause mass evacuations in several provinces.

A huge fire destroys part of the Cinemateca Brasileira, in São Paulo, that have the largest collection of "moving image" in Latin America.

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.

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.

Kerala announces a total weekend lockdown on July 31 and August 1 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Over 4 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine has been administered worldwide.

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.

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.

Vermont becomes the first U.S. state to vaccinate 70% of people aged 12 to 17.

Russia reports a record 799 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours for the third time in a month, bringing the nationwide death toll to 156,277.

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.

Peru's President Pedro Castillo names Guido Bellido of the party Free Peru as his prime minister.

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.

American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks withdraws from the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19.