An “exceptional and dangerous” heatwave in the northwestern United States and western Canada is expected to lead to temperatures as high as 113°F (UN News) for five or so more days, a spokesperson for the World Meteorological Organization said.

The record-breaking temperatures are caused by a mountain of warm air called a heat dome (CBS) that scientists say is being exacerbated by climate change (WaPo) and has become lodged in the Pacific Northwest, blocking other weather patterns. In the Vancouver area, police suspect heat is a factor behind dozens of sudden deaths (CTV News Vancouver) that occurred within just a few days. U.S. President Joe Biden is holding a virtual meeting today with the governors of seven western states, cabinet officials, and private-sector representatives to bolster preparations for the upcoming wildfire season. Experts warn that it could be more severe than last year’s (LA Times), which was the worst on record, due to the high temperatures and worsening drought conditions. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that China is malaria-free (VOA), the first such cerification in the WHO’s Western Pacific Region in more than three decades. Forty countries and territories in the world have this designation.
 
North Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said a “great crisis” occurred (Yonhap) due to a lapse in pandemic-related measures. Analysts believe this could mean there was a COVID-19 outbreak in the country, though it has reported no cases of the disease.

The last German troops in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission in Afghanistan have departed the country (DW), Germany’s defense ministry said. Over 150,000 German troops have been stationed in Afghanistan since 2002, and some 1,100 were stationed there before the withdrawal began in May.
 
This Backgrounder looks at NATO.
 
India: New Delhi approved the import (Hindustan Times) of the first mRNA vaccine to be used in India. The vaccine, made by the U.S.-based company Moderna, will be imported by Indian drugmaker Cipla.

The council is set to discuss the secretary-general’s biannual report (Al Jazeera) on the implementation of the 2015 resolution endorsing the Iran nuclear deal. In the report, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for Iran to return to full compliance with the deal and for the United States to lift or waive sanctions on Iran as outlined in the agreement.
 
This Backgrounder explains the nuclear deal.
 
Saudi Arabia: The country plans to establish a second national airline (Bloomberg) and double its air-cargo capacity to some 4.5 million tons in a push to diversify its economy away from oil.

Eswatini declared a 6:00 p.m. curfew (Al Jazeera) in response to protests demanding democratic reforms and an end to bans on opposition parties. Demonstrators accuse King Mswati III, Africa’s last remaining absolute monarch, of human rights abuses.
 
Nigeria: Nnamdi Kanu, the fugitive leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra separatist group, was extradited to Nigeria (Guardian) to stand trial. Nigeria’s attorney general did not say from where Kanu was extradited.

France’s legislature approved the extension of medically assisted fertility treatments (France24, AFP), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), to single woman and lesbian couples for the first time.
 
Europe: The European Union’s new digital vaccine passport does not recognize (CNN) AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines that were manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and used widely across Africa, prompting concern from the African Union and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
This In Brief looks at what to know about vaccine passports.