The Deir Ammar and Zahrani power stations shut down in Lebanon after running out of diesel fuel, leaving the entire country without electricity. According to a government official, power is not expected to be restored for several days. (BBC News)(Al Jazeera)
Victoria reports a record for the second consecutive day of 1,965 new cases and five deaths from COVID-19, which is the highest daily total of new COVID-19 cases in any Australian state or territory. (ABC News Australia)
Singapore reports a record 3,703 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 124,157. (The Straits Times)
The U.S. State Department confirms that the first face-to-face meetings with high representatives of the Taliban since the departure of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, will begin today in Doha, Qatar. A spokesperson for the State Department says that the U.S. will pressure the Taliban to "respect the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls" and form an inclusive government. The spokesperson also clarifies that this is not a recognition of the Taliban government by the U.S., saying that the Taliban will have to earn recognition by its actions. (France 24)
In Rome, Italy, demonstrators protesting against the country's COVID-19 restrictions, notably the extension of the Green Pass, clash with police, and the demonstrations turn into riots. (Al Jazeera)