Editing 2020 (section)

===August===
* [[August 1]] &ndash; The [[Barakah nuclear power plant]] in the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] becomes operational following delays since 2017. It is the first commercial [[nuclear power station]] in the [[Arab world]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 2, 2020|title=Barakah: UAE starts up Arab world's first nuclear plant|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53619916|access-date=September 5, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803084313/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53619916|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* [[August 2]] &ndash; COVID-19 pandemic: In rare talks, [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (United Arab Emirates)|Emirati Foreign Minister]] [[Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] and [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Iran)|Iranian Foreign Minister]] [[Mohammad Javad Zarif]] hold a video call to discuss various regional issues, including combating [[COVID-19 pandemic in Asia|COVID-19]] in their respective countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=In rare talks, Iran and UAE foreign ministers discuss COVID-19|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/rare-talks-iran-uae-foreign-ministers-discuss-covid-19-200802174815468.html|access-date=August 5, 2020|website=aljazeera.com|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804022417/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/rare-talks-iran-uae-foreign-ministers-discuss-covid-19-200802174815468.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 4]] &ndash; [[2020 Beirut explosion|An explosion]] caused by unsafely stored [[ammonium nitrate]] kills at least 218 people, injures thousands, and severely damages [[Port of Beirut|the port]] in [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]]. Damage is estimated at $10–15 billion, and an estimated 300,000 people are left homeless. The following day, the Lebanese government declares a two-week [[state of emergency]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Beirut blast: Explosion rocks city injuring many and made over 300,000 people homeless|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53656220|website=BBC|date=August 4, 2020|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808173704/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53656220|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Oliver Holmes (now); Helen|last2=Ratcliffe (earlier)|first2=Rebecca|last3=Holmes|first3=Oliver|last4=Elgot|first4=Jessica|last5=Borger|first5=Julian|last6=Blackall|first6=Molly|last7=Bramley|first7=Ellie Violet|date=August 5, 2020|title=Beirut explosion: death toll rises to 135 as about 5,000 people are wounded – as it happened|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/04/beirut-explosion-huge-blast-port-lebanon-capital|access-date=August 5, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804201541/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/04/beirut-explosion-huge-blast-port-lebanon-capital|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lebanon gov't declares emergency in Beirut after deadly explosion|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-gov-declares-emergency-beirut-deadly-explosion-200805150901897.html|access-date=August 19, 2020|website=aljazeera.com|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909012114/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/lebanon-gov-declares-emergency-beirut-deadly-explosion-200805150901897.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 5]] &ndash; [[United States Secretary of Health and Human Services|U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services]] [[Alex Azar]] travels to [[Taiwan]], the highest [[Taiwan–United States relations|U.S. official visit to the country]] in 40 years. The [[China|PRC]] condemns the visit.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 5, 2020|title=U.S. health chief to be highest-ranking official in decades to visit Taiwan, angering China|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-usa-idUSKCN25105B|access-date=August 5, 2020|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805021726/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-usa-idUSKCN25105B|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 7]] &ndash; [[Air India Express Flight 1344]] crashes after overrunning the runway at [[Calicut International Airport]] in [[Kerala]], [[India]], killing 19 of the 191 people on board.
* [[August 9]] &ndash; A [[2020 Belarusian presidential election|presidential election in Belarus]] which led to incumbent [[Alexander Lukashenko]]'s reelection sparks [[2020–21 Belarusian protests|protests throughout the country]] after major opposition candidate [[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya]] rejected the results. Seven days later, the largest political march in [[History of Belarus|Belarusian history]] takes place, with an estimated 300,000 people in [[Minsk]] and 200,000 in other [[List of cities and largest towns in Belarus|Belarusian cities and towns]].<ref name="freedom_march_1">{{cite news|date=August 16, 2020|title=Мінск. А вось сколькі людзей прыйшло да Стэлы, каб дамагчыся перагляду вынікаў выбараў. Па адчуванням, іх тут разы ў чатыры больш, чым было на лукашэнкаўскім мітынгу. То бок, тут ужо 200-300 тысяч чалавек, і людзі працягваюць падыходзіць!|website=Telegram|url=https://t.me/euroradio/5424|access-date=August 22, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913042613/https://t.me/euroradio/5424|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 10]]
**An intense [[August 2020 Midwest derecho|derecho]] kills 4 and brings widespread damaging wind to much of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwestern]] United States in what becomes the costliest [[thunderstorm]] event in US history.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kopelman|first=Rebecca|date=August 10, 2021|title=Iowa Derecho is among the strongest in U.S. history|url=https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/iowa-derecho-is-among-the-strongest-in-us-history|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=KGAN|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810222027/https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/iowa-derecho-is-among-the-strongest-in-us-history|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 6, 2021|title=August 10, 2020, Midwest Derecho|url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f98352e2153b4865b99ba53b86021b65|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=ArcGIS StoryMaps|language=en-us|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810100746/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f98352e2153b4865b99ba53b86021b65|url-status=live}}</ref>
**COVID-19 pandemic: The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 passes 20 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Global report: coronavirus cases pass 20m as WHO points to 'green shoots of hope' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/global-report-coronavirus-cases-pass-20m-as-who-points-to-green-shoots-of-hope |access-date=August 11, 2020 |first=Alison |last=Rourke |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 11, 2020 |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811043202/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/global-report-coronavirus-cases-pass-20m-as-who-points-to-green-shoots-of-hope |url-status=live }}</ref>
**The [[2020 Trinidad and Tobago general election]] is held to elect all 41 members of the [[House of Representatives (Trinidad and Tobago)|House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago]], the [[lower house]] of the [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] [[Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago]] and the [[People's National Movement]] party, led by [[List of prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago|prime minister]] [[Keith Rowley]] won 22 out of 41 seats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ebctt.com/wp-content/uploads/Report-of-the-Elections-Boundaries-Commission-on-the-Parliamentary-Elections-held-on-Monday-10th-August-2020.pdf |title=Report of the Elections Boundaries Commission on the Parliamentary Elections held on Monday 10th August 2020 |access-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213153559/https://www.ebctt.com/wp-content/uploads/Report-of-the-Elections-Boundaries-Commission-on-the-Parliamentary-Elections-held-on-Monday-10th-August-2020.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Trinidad and Tobago: House of Representatives |url=https://data.ipu.org/node/175/elections |access-date=April 17, 2022 |website=Parline: the IPU's Open Data Platform |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 11, 2020 |title=Trinidad and Tobago PM claims election victory for ruling party |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trinidadtobago-election-idUSKCN2570E4 |access-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417145659/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trinidadtobago-election-idUSKCN2570E4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[August 11]] &ndash; COVID-19 pandemic: Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] announces that [[COVID-19 pandemic in Russia|Russia has approved]] the [[Gam-COVID-Vac|world's first COVID-19 vaccine]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Coronavirus: Putin says vaccine has been approved for use|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53735718|access-date=August 11, 2020|agency=BBC News|date=August 11, 2020|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811110212/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53735718|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 13]] &ndash; [[Israel]] and the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] agree to [[Israel–United Arab Emirates peace agreement|normalise relations]], marking the third [[Israeli–Palestinian peace process|Israel–Arab peace deal]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Israel and UAE strike historic deal to normalise relations|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53770859|access-date=August 13, 2020|agency=BBC News|date=August 13, 2020|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104042342/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53770859|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 15]] &ndash; The [[Japan]]ese [[bulk carrier]] ''Wakashio'', which stranded on a reef in [[Mauritius]] last month, breaks in half. Approximately 1,000 tonnes of oil are [[MV Wakashio oil spill|spilled into the ocean]], becoming the largest [[environmental disaster]] in the [[history of Mauritius]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 16, 2020|title=Japanese ship involved in Mauritius oil spill breaks apart|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mauritius-environment-japan-idUSKCN25B09K|access-date=September 5, 2020|archive-date=September 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902142706/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mauritius-environment-japan-idUSKCN25B09K|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 18]] &ndash; A mutiny in a military base by soldiers of the [[Malian Armed Forces]] develops into [[2020 Malian coup d'état|a coup d'état]]. [[President of Mali|President]] [[Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta]] and [[Prime Minister of Mali|Prime Minister]] [[Boubou Cissé]], among other senior governmental and military officers, are arrested. The next day, Keïta announces his [[resignation]] on state television.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gunfire heard at Mali army base, warnings of possible mutiny|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/gunfire-heard-mali-army-base-warnings-mutiny-200818111723901.html|access-date=August 18, 2020|website=aljazeera.com|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818190249/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/gunfire-heard-mali-army-base-warnings-mutiny-200818111723901.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 18, 2020|title=Mali president 'seized by mutinying soldiers'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53825673|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818210145/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53825673/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 18, 2020|title=Mali's president announces resignation after armed mutiny|url=https://apnews.com/54737684e3e2a84f9b44656de7343e56|access-date=August 19, 2020|website=AP NEWS|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818190257/https://apnews.com/54737684e3e2a84f9b44656de7343e56|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 19]] &ndash; The [[Special Tribunal for Lebanon]] convicts ''[[Trial in absentia|in absentia]]'' [[Salim Ayyash]], a senior member of [[Hezbollah]], for the 2005 [[Assassination of Rafic Hariri|assassination]] of former [[Prime Minister of Lebanon|Prime Minister]] [[Rafic Hariri]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rafik Hariri tribunal: Guilty verdict over assassination of Lebanon ex-PM|work=BBC News|date=August 18, 2020|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53601710|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212003222/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53601710|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 22]] &ndash; COVID-19 pandemic: The worldwide death toll from COVID-19 exceeds 800,000.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 22, 2020|title=Global Death Toll From Virus Surpasses 800,000|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/22/world/covid-19-coronavirus.html|access-date=August 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823184407/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/22/world/covid-19-coronavirus.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[August 23]] &ndash; [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] wins the [[2019–20 UEFA Champions League]] by beating [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] in the [[2020 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] 1–0.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bayern beat PSG to win Champions League|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53867676|access-date=December 3, 2020|archive-date=September 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905155619/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53867676|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 25]] &ndash; [[Africa]] is declared free of wild [[polio]], the second virus to be eradicated from the continent since [[Eradication of smallpox|smallpox 40 years previously]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Africa declared free of wild polio in 'milestone'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53887947|access-date=August 25, 2020|agency=BBC News|date=August 25, 2020|archive-date=August 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825072202/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53887947|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Africa eradicates wild poliovirus |url=https://www.afro.who.int/news/africa-eradicates-wild-poliovirus |access-date=August 25, 2020 |agency=WHO |date=August 25, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827024643/https://www.afro.who.int/news/africa-eradicates-wild-poliovirus |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[August 26]] &ndash; [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] CEO [[Jeff Bezos]] becomes the first person in history to have a net worth exceeding US$200 billion, according to ''[[Forbes]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2020/08/26/worlds-richest-billionaire-jeff-bezos-first-200-billion/#43bc304c4db7|work=Forbes|title=Jeff Bezos Becomes The First Person Ever Worth $200 Billion|date=August 26, 2020|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=August 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826221637/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2020/08/26/worlds-richest-billionaire-jeff-bezos-first-200-billion/#43bc304c4db7|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[August 27]] &ndash; [[Hurricane Laura]] makes landfall in [[Lake Charles, Louisiana|Lake Charles]], [[Louisiana]] with winds of 150&nbsp;mph, making it the strongest hurricane to ever strike the state in terms of windspeed, tied with the [[1856 Last Island hurricane|1856 Last Island Hurricane]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Jason Hanna, Madeline Holcombe and Theresa Waldrop|title=Hurricane Laura smashes parts of Louisiana and Texas, killing 6 and leaving widespread wind damage|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/27/weather/laura-gulf-coast-weather-forecast-thursday/index.html|access-date=December 3, 2020|website=CNN|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202201734/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/27/weather/laura-gulf-coast-weather-forecast-thursday/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=UTC|first=Bill Karins98d ago / 10:39 AM|title=Laura strongest hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana in 164 years|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/blog/hurricane-laura-makes-landfall-category-4-early-thursday-live-updates-n1238373|access-date=December 3, 2020|website=NBC News|date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121011422/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/blog/hurricane-laura-makes-landfall-category-4-early-thursday-live-updates-n1238373|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 28]] &ndash; [[Prime Minister of Japan|Japanese Prime Minister]] [[Shinzo Abe]], the [[List of prime ministers of Japan|longest-serving prime minister]] in the [[history of Japan]], announces his resignation from office, citing ill health.<ref>{{cite news|title=Japan PM Abe announces his resignation at press conference|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/08/49143d2e31c6-breaking-news-abes-health-status-remains-unchanged-top-govt-spokesman.html|newspaper=Kyodo News|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829000637/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/08/49143d2e31c6-breaking-news-abes-health-status-remains-unchanged-top-govt-spokesman.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 30]] &ndash; COVID-19 pandemic: The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 passes 25 million worldwide. India continues to record [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|the highest daily increase of cases]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dellanna |first1=Alessio |title=Coronavirus: Global cases pass 25 million as India records record spike |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/30/coronavirus-india-reports-worst-single-day-spike-in-the-world-with-over-78-000-new-cases |access-date=September 1, 2020 |agency=[[Euronews]] |date=August 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831081743/https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/30/coronavirus-india-reports-worst-single-day-spike-in-the-world-with-over-78-000-new-cases |url-status=live }}</ref>