A bomb explodes at the entrance of the Daoud Khan Military Hospital in Kabul, followed by gunfire and a second explosion. At least 25 people are killed and more than 50 others are wounded. Four of the attackers are killed and a fifth is arrested by the Taliban. (The Guardian)
Ethiopia declares a six-month state of emergency as the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) and Oromo Liberation Army gain control over areas outside of Tigray and the TDF announces its intention to advance to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Authorities in Addis Ababa, in a separate announcement earlier in the day, tell citizens to register arms and prepare to defend their neighbourhoods. (Reuters)
The United States bans embassy personnel from traveling outside of Addis Ababa and strongly suggests that U.S. citizens seriously reconsider travel to Ethiopia and that those who are currently in Ethiopia consider making preparations to leave the country. (U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia)
Bulgaria reports a record 6,007 new cases and 310 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 608,499 and the nationwide death toll to 24,309. (Novinite)
Tonga's main island of Tongatapu enters a seven-day lockdown that closes non-essential businesses and bans sales of alcohol and mass gatherings, except small funerals, after the country reports its first case of COVID-19 in a person who travelled from Christchurch, New Zealand on a repatriation flight last week. (New Zealand Herald)
A traveller from Tuvalu tests positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Auckland, New Zealand. Tuvalu had not previously reported any COVID-19 cases in the country. (RNZ)
Maine voters approve three questions on ballot in 2021, which ban the construction of Hydro Québec's high-voltage line to Massachusetts that passes through the state, authorize issuing $100 million in infrastructure bonds and amend the Constitution of Maine to declare a right to produce and consume food of their choice for personal usage. (Bangor Daily News)