Dutch scientists have developed a prototype surgical tool for keyhole surgery, based on the egg-laying methods of parasitic wasps. The new device could remove cancerous tissue from previously inoperable areas.

A successful mission would pave the way for the launch of a crewed flight test, which could then allow Boeing to begin regularly ferrying NASA astronauts to orbit.

World-record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden faces France’s Renaud Lavillenie in the men’s pole vault final on Tuesday, while U.S. star gymnast Simone Biles will compete in the balance beam final -- two of 24 medal events on Day 11.

Rhino poaching in South Africa rose by 50% in the first half of 2021 compared to a year earlier when poaching plummeted due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Israel’s Supreme Court has failed to reach a final decision on the eviction of four Palestinian families from East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, where Israeli settlers claim ownership of the land.

The United States and Britain have blamed Iran for carrying out a drone attack on an Israeli-managed tanker off the coast of Oman that killed a Briton and a Romanian. Iran has denied it was involved in the incident.

America’s two-decade-long conflict in Afghanistan, which started in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, has ultimately proved unwinnable despite its staggering cost in blood and expenditure.

After a three-month siege, Spanish conquistadores under Hernán Cortés captured the city of Tenochtitlan on August 13, 1521, bringing an end to Aztec civilisation.

Recent devastating floods that swept through western Germany have put climate change to the heart of the country’s election campaign.

A new handheld games console is set to shake up the established order with a unique control input – a hand crank attached to the side. At launch, the Playdate sold out its 2021 allocation in just 20 minutes.

Satellite images appear to show China is building a new nuclear missile silo field, indicating a potentially vast expansion of Beijing’s nuclear arsenal. It is the second such discovery in weeks.

Lebanese lawmakers have tasked ex-premier and billionaire Najib Mikati with forming a government and ending a political deadlock that has crippled the economy.

Civilian casualties reached record levels in the first half of 2021, spiking from May when the U.S. began withdrawing its last troops.

A Colt single action revolver, famously used by Sheriff Pat Garrett to kill outlaw Billy the Kid on the night of July 14, 1881, is heading to auction, where it is estimated to fetch $2-$3 million.

President Joe Biden has confirmed that the U.S. combat mission in Iraq will be over by the end of this year, with the remaining 2,500 U.S. troops shifting to advisory, air support and surveillance roles.

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied invoked the constitution to oust the government of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and freeze parliament for 30 days in a move his critics call a coup.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics in China drew the largest television audience in Olympic Games history, with 4.7 billion people globally, or roughly two out of every three people on the planet.

Add Today in History to your website and engage your online visitors day after day. This responsive daily feature auto-updates each day to reveal a range of international anniversaries and events from the past.

A subdued opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has taken place, with around 1,000 spectators – mostly dignitaries, including less than 20 global leaders – in attendance.

Universal Hydrogen has signed letters of intent with Ravn Alaska and Spain’s Air Nostrum for 16 De Havilland Canada Dash 8s to be converted into zero-emissions airliners.

Most hospitalisations and deaths from coronavirus have occurred among unvaccinated people, yet there have also been so-called breakthrough infections of fully vaccinated people.

Global interest in the spectatorless Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is muted at below 50%, according to an Ipsos poll of 28 countries. Overall, 57% of respondents would also like to see the Olympics cancelled.

Netflix has reported its worst slowdown in subscriber growth for eight years, adding just 1.5 million subscribers in Q2 2021. The streaming giant now plans to add video games to keep subscribers loyal.

More than 1.5 million children worldwide saw a parent, custodial grandparent or other related caregiver die from Covid-19, according to a study published by the Lancet.

The World Health Organisation says that coronavirus cases and deaths are climbing globally after a period of decline, spurred by the highly contagious Delta variant.

As the death toll from devastating floods in western Germany climbs above 190, with scores missing and more flood warnings, insurers prepare for one of the most expensive natural catastrophes in decades.

Valve is to release a portable PC gaming platform, soon after the launch of Nintendo’s revamped Switch games console. The Steam Deck will allow gamers to access 30,000 games available on Steam.

Each month Graphic News moves a World Agenda – an illustrated diary of upcoming events – in both print format and as a responsive interactive version for digital devices.

Each month Graphic News moves a World Agenda – an illustrated diary of upcoming events – in both print format and as a responsive version for digital devices.

Opinion polls suggest that with three potential chancellors standing to replace Angela Merkel, Germany’s September election could result in a fragmented parliament.

A record number of Americans died of drug overdoses last year, rising almost 30% to over 90,000 deaths. Overdose fatalities from opioids rose 37% in a year, to 69,710 – largely fuelled by synthetic opioid painkillers.

More manatees have died in 2021 than at any time in Florida’s known history, says the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. So far his year, 841 manatee have perished – 11% of the population.

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses by putting a price on each tonne of carbon emitted by some 12,000 EU businesses and aircraft operators.

The Biden administration is warning that the U.S. is heading for a dangerous economic deficit as post-WWII baby boomers become senior citizens, highlighting the need for increased federal aid.

After more than a decade in development and $72 billion in state support, China’s first passenger jet, the single-aisle Comac C919, is nearing approval to start commercial flights.

NASA has placed its Hubble Space Telescope in “safe mode” configuration after the payload computer -- which controls its science instruments -- suddenly stopped working.

Cubans are protesting over a worsening economic crisis and shortages of essential goods amid skyrocketing prices and inflation. President Miguel Díaz-Canel blames ongoing U.S. sanctions.

For a second year, Ethiopia is filling the reservoir behind its giant hydropower Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, amid a diplomatic campaign with Egypt and Sudan which view it as a threat to their Nile water supplies.

Airbus and Boeing delivered 188 aircraft in June – one of the largest monthly totals since the start of the pandemic – taking Airbus’ handovers for the first six months of the year to 297 and Boeing’s to 156 aircraft.

The pandemic has left 22 million people out of work in industrial nations, with the young and low-skilled hurt most, according to the OECD.

After a year-long delay due to the global pandemic, Marvel’s high-octane spy thriller, “Black Widow”, finally opens in cinemas around the world – the first film in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Cybersecurity teams are working to stem the impact of the biggest global ransomware attack on record – a “supply chain” attack infecting thousands of users of Kaseya’s VSA software.

Ransomware gang REvil has demanded that software provider Kaseya pay $70 million in bitcoin to release information locked in a hack on between 800 and 1,500 businesses worldwide.

Structural engineers think critical concrete supporting structures at the collapsed Florida condominium may not have had enough internal reinforced steel bars, known as “rebar”.

China is reportedly modernizing its nuclear arsenal, constructing dozens of missile silos to accommodate newer-generation solid-fuelled Dong Feng-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

The catastrophic decline in international tourism caused by the global pandemic is likely to cost the world $4 trillion in lost GDP for 2020 and 2021, according to a bleak new report from the United Nations.

Crude oil is back near $75 a barrel, driving a commodities boom as the world emerges from lockdown – a remarkable comeback after plunging below zero for the first time last year.

One year after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong, authorities have arrested more than 100 people. The law prohibits subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

Greek police have recovered two valuable paintings by Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian, both stolen from Greece’s National Gallery in 2012. The artworks were found wrapped in garbage bags in a ravine near the capital.

United Nations peacekeeping missions globally are preparing for a possible shutdown if the UN General Assembly fails to agree a new $6 billion budget for the year to June 30, 2022.

Improvements in battery technology mean that electric vehicles (EVs) are reaching cost parity with fossil-fuel cars. Last year, lithium-ion battery prices were $137/kWh -- 64% lower than in 2015.

The first module of the central magnet for a state-of-the-art hydrogen fusion reactor has embarked on an epic road trip across the United States, on its way to the ITER megaproject in southern France.

Pine Island Glacier is increasingly vulnerable as a large, floating ice shelf that stops it from collapsing into the sea is breaking up more quickly than previously observed, creating vast icebergs.

International aircraft leasing company Avolon, American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic have announced a $4 billion deal for up to 1,000 VA-X4 electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft from British-based Vertical Aerospace.

A palm-sized 1,098-carat diamond unearthed by the Debswana company in Botswana's Jwaneng Mine, could be the third largest of its kind ever discovered.

When the FBI dismantled an encrypted messaging service called Phantom Secure, based in Vancouver, Canada, in 2018, agents decided on a new tactic: creating their own service.

A mysterious airbase is being built on a volcanic island off Yemen that sits in one of the world’s crucial maritime chokepoints for both energy shipments and commercial cargo.

Google has developed a “magical” video calling booth that renders a lifelike 3D image of each person – making video conferences more personal than ever before.

Archaeologists have found the remains of a child buried at a cave in Kenya 78,000 years ago, which provide new insights into the origin of mortuary practices on the continent of our species’ birth.

Britain’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will lead Carrier Strike Group 21 – a flotilla of Royal Navy ships – on its 28-week maiden deployment to East Asia.

A pioneering design to bore a train tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn is gaining ground after Finland and Estonia signed a letter of intent.

With drones increasingly important in 21st century warfare, a U.S. startup has developed a portable and powerful microwave energy weapon that can disable enemy drones with pinpoint accuracy.

The 76th edition of the Vuelta a España, cycling’s final Grand Tour of the year, will feature more than three weeks of racing and 21 stages, covering a distance of over 3,000km.

The British track cycling team’s new Lotus bike features an interchangeable “cockpit” that allows it to transform from a mass-start drop-handlebar bike to a pursuit bike with aero extensions.

The draw for the play-offs in the UEFA Champions League has taken place in Nyon, Switzerland. Teams have one final chance to seal their 2021/22 berth in the group stage draw on August 26.

The 30th Premier League season kicks off, with Manchester City defending champions and Brentford, Norwich City and Watford all promoted to the top flight.

England’s Premier League returns to action, with defending champions Manchester City kicking off their campaign against Tottenham Hotspur -- ten “Big Six” clashes feature in the opening matchdays to October.

The 30th Premier League season kicks off, with Manchester City defending champions and Brentford, Norwich City and Watford all promoted to the top flight.

The 30th Premier League season kicks off, with fierce rivalries played out over 380 enthralling matches. The world’s most watched football league drew an estimated cumulative global audience of 3.2 billion in 2019.

England’s 30th Premier League season kicks off, with Champions League qualification, fierce rivalries, title glory or relegation all set to be decided over 380 enthralling matches.

Spain’s Primera Division season, officially known as La Liga. One of Europe’s leading football leagues, LaLiga Santander kicks off -- Atletico Madrid are reigning champions, with Espanyol, Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano promoted for the new 2021-22 season.

Fussball-Bundesliga season, Germany’s premier football competition. One of Europe’s leading football leagues, Bundesliga kicks off -- Bayern Munich are defending nine-time champions, with Bochum and Greuther Furth promoted for the new 2021-22 season.

Italian Serie A season, Italy’s premier football competition. One of Europe’s leading football leagues, Serie A TIM kicks off -- Internazionale are reigning champions, with Empoli, Salernitana and Venezia promoted for the new 2021-22 season.

French Ligue 1 season, France's premier football competition. One of Europe’s leading football leagues, Ligue 1 Uber Eats kicks off -- Lille are defending champions, with Clermont and Troyes promoted for the new 2021-22 season.

The venues for Tokyo 2020 predominantly consist of two zones: the “Heritage Zone” which houses several iconic venues used at the 1964 Games and the “Tokyo Bay Zone” which serves as a model for innovative urban development, symbolising the exciting future of the city.

The 2021 summer Paralympic Games, the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, take place in Tokyo, Japan. There will be a total of 539 events across 22 sports hosted at 21 venues.

The 2020 summer Olympic Game will officially begin with the Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, Japan on July 23 - although a number of matches begin July 21 - closing after the final medals have been awarded on August 8.

The 2021 Styrian MotoGP, officially known as Michelin® Grand Prix of Styria, is the tenth race of the 2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship, staged at Spielberg, Austria

The 76th edition of the Vuelta a España, cycling’s final Grand Tour of the year, will feature more than three weeks of racing and 21 stages, covering a distance of over 3,000km.

The modern Olympic Games were founded in 1896, with the tradition of gold, silver and bronze medals introduced at the 1904 Games. The 2020 Summer Olympic Games, postponed for a year by the coronavirus pandemic, take place in Tokyo.

The Games of the XXXII Olympiad, will take place in Tokyo, Japan without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A number of new sports, including surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing will feature.

The postponed 2020 summer Olympic Games take place in Tokyo, Japan, from July 23 to August 8, 2021.

The postponed 2020 summer Paralympic Games take place in Tokyo, Japan, from August 24 to September 5, 2021.

In a controversial move, New Zealand officials have chosen Laurel Hubbard for the women’s weightlifting team – the first ever transgender athlete picked to compete at an Olympics.

There are three race walking events in the current Olympic programme: a men’s and a women’s 20km walk, and a men’s 50km walk. All events will take place in the city of Sapporo, located 800km to the north of Tokyo.

Triathlon is an endurance sport that combines swimming, road cycling and distance running. New for Tokyo 2020 is the mixed relay event, with four athletes (two women and two men) each completing a 300m swim, 8km bike ride and a 2km run.

England’s 30th Premier League season kicks off, with Champions League qualification, fierce rivalries, title glory or relegation all set to be decided over 380 enthralling matches.

This is the second time that Tokyo has hosted the Summer Olympic Games – the first being in 1964. Athens, Paris and Los Angeles have also hosted two Olympics while only London has been a host city three times.

Sport Climbing is making its Olympic debut, with athletes scaling devious wall courses, often times holding on by just their finger tips. Climbers will participate in three disciplines – Speed, Bouldering and Lead.

The world's top surfers will compete on Japan's spectacular Pacific coastline. Men and women will take part in Shortboard tournaments, striving to perform the most impressive aerials and tube rides.

With its humble roots in the youthful energy of 1940s America, skateboarding has finally reached the heady heights of the Olympic Games. Two disciplines will be contested by men and women – Park and Street.