The Gulf Coast is facing an unprecedented threat in the coming days - back to back storms that could make landfall within 48 hours of each other. Tropical Storm Marco and Tropical Storm Laura will impact Louisiana and Texas, bringing heavy rains and storm surge to coastal areas. Global Guardian is standing by to support emergency response and support requirements, including power generators, personal protective equipment, and communications systems. To learn about our full capabilities, click here.

In the morning hours of 18 August, soldiers loyal to Colonel Assimi Goita, Colonel Diaw, Colonel Sadio Camara, General Cheick Fanta Mady Dembele, and Colonel Mama Sekou Lelenta took over a large military base on the outskirts of the capital Bamako before descending on the city. Coup leaders arrested President Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cissé, and members of the Malian cabinet.

The U.S. is recording 49,000 daily new cases on average over the last week, a 17 percent decrease from the average two weeks ago. The U.S. has now recorded over 5,400,000 confirmed cases and over 171,000 deaths.

On 04 August, approximately 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded at a warehouse in Beirut’s port, creating a massive blast that killed 172 people, injured thousands, and left entire neighborhoods of the city devastated. 

The U.S. is recording 53,700 daily new cases on average over the last week, an 18 percent decrease from the average two weeks ago. The U.S. has now recorded over 5,100,000 confirmed cases and nearly 165,000 deaths.

California, Florida, Arizona and South Carolina are seeing significant declines in daily average cases from two weeks prior, but daily deaths continue to rise.

The presumed cause of the massive explosion was approximately 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port since at least 2014 after being confiscated from a cargo ship. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical used in fertilizer and explosives. For context, the Oklahoma City Bombing of 1995 contained just 2 tons of ammonium nitrate.

During afternoon hours local time in Beirut, Lebanon, a massive explosion occurred in a warehouse near the Beirut Port Silos Building at the Port of Beirut. At least 78 people have been confirmed killed and over 3,000 injured. These numbers are likely to rise.

As of this morning, Hurricane Isaias is a Category 1 storm with wind speeds in excess of 75MPH. It is currently tracking northward towards the Bahamas, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect. A Hurricane Watch has just been issued for portions of the Florida east coast from Deerfield Beach northward to the Volusia-Brevard County Line. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Dominican Republic and Turks & Caicos Islands.

Texas and Florida are seeing slight declines in daily average cases from two weeks prior, but daily deaths continue to rise. On 28 July, both Florida and Texas reported record daily deaths at 186 and 223 respectively. Deaths are likely to continue to rise for the next two-three week, as each state continues to report between 8,000-10,000 new cases per day.