The demonstrations are called by sectors that support or do not support Mayor Jorge Yunda, who has plunged Quito's City Hall into a political crisis.  Photo: @vtv_ecuadorDifferent social sectors announced demonstrations in the capital of Ecuador in view of the political crisis that Quito's Mayor's Office, led by Mayor Jorge Yunda, is going through.

Police officers scuffle with a demonstrator during a protest in Berlin, Germany, on August 1, 2021.  Archive Photo: Christian Mang / Reuters Despite video evidence online, police in Berlin, Germany, have rejected the criticism by the United Nations special rapporteur on torture of their heavy-handed response to anti-lockdown rallies that saw hundreds arrested.

Nicaragua takes diplomatic action for interference in national affairs.The Government of Nicaragua has recalled its ambassadors in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico, as a measure of reciprocity to the actions taken by the respective authorities of those countries.

The Latin American and Caribbean Continental Organization of Students (OCLAE) reaches its 55th anniversary this August 11th with founding demands of struggle for unity, education and anti-imperialism, which are still fully valid.The Latin American and Caribbean Continental Organization of Students (OCLAE) reaches its 55th anniversary this August 11th, with founding demands of the struggle for unity, education, and anti-imperialism, which are still fully valid.

Hospitalizations and deaths are also increasing rapidly, though all are still below peaks seen early this year before vaccines became widely available across the US.  Photo: Octavio Jones / ReutersThe United States is now averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections per day, returning to a milestone last seen during the winter surge as health officials urge people to get vaccinated to stem a surging spread of the Delta variant.