United States Secretary of DefenseMark Esper issues a new Department policy that effectively bans the display and depiction of the Confederate flag at any U.S. military installation around the world. "The flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols," wrote the Secretary. (Reuters)(CNN)
Kyrgyzstan announces the addition of thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths to its COVID-19 tallies, describing the corresponding pneumonia-related cases, which had not been confirmed by tests, as most likely linked to the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus. Neighboring Kazakhstan announces it will do the same starting next month. (Reuters)
California GovernorGavin Newsom lays out new rules for schools with high COVID-19 rates to do virtual learning and close campuses until they meet certain health standards. (Politico)
Victoria state reports a record daily increase in COVID-19 cases, with 428 new cases and three new deaths. Australia in overall records 438 new cases, highest since mid-March. (Reuters)(ABC News (Australia))
South Korea revokes licenses to anti-Pyongyang groups which often send leaflets to the border with political messages. The South Korean government says these groups are "seriously hindering the unification policy of the government". The groups accuse the government of censorship. (Al Jazeera)
Police in Germany arrest a gunman, nicknamed Rambo due to his acts, who disarmed four policemen and escaped in the Black Forest five days before. (BBC News)