North America
- A tragic wildfire outbreak hit Maui, Hawaii, caused 93 deaths and destroyed 250 historic buildings in Lahaina Town, beginning last Tuesday (Aug 8). The deadliest US wildfire event in a century, the fires rapidly spread due to unfavourable weather conditions. Hawaii declared a state of emergency later on Wednesday (Aug 9). The cause of the fires is unclear, but a mix of drought, low humidity, and strong winds played a role. Hurricane Dora’s winds worsened the situation, hindering emergency responses. Governor Josh Green expressed shock at the disaster’s scale.
- US inflation rose to 3.2% year-on-year in July, driven by higher housing, car insurance, and food costs, according to the Labor Department last Friday, (Aug 11). This increase followed June’s 3% rate, the lowest in over two years. Analysts expected this rise after weak price inflation the previous year. While the underlying inflation trend appears positive, the US Federal Reserve’s 2% target remains unmet. The Fed has raised its benchmark interest rate to over 5.25% to curb economic growth and mitigate inflation pressures. Though some prices dropped, core prices increased slightly by 0.2% compared to June. Housing costs are expected to ease due to slower rental rate growth, but rising fuel prices could delay inflation’s impact reduction.
- Just before President Biden’s visit last Wednesday (Aug 8), an FBI raid in Provo, Utah resulted in the fatal shooting of Craig Robertson. He had posted threats on Facebook targeting President Biden and a prosecutor. The raid followed his explicit threats and images of firearms. Robertson’s online behaviour had drawn federal attention in March after threats on Truth Social, a platform owned by Trump. Tensions escalated as he continued making violent posts, leading to the fatal raid. This incident coincides with President Biden’s first visit to Utah during his presidency.
- Canadian Conservative politician Michael Chong is reportedly facing a disinformation campaign believed to be orchestrated by China. False narratives about his background, family, and politics are being spread. Global Affairs Canada stated that China likely played a role in WeChat last Thursday (Aug 10), though China denies involvement. This is part of broader claims about Beijing’s interference in Canada’s elections. The misinformation came to light during social media monitoring ahead of a by-election. Chong sees this as Chinese government interference and calls for a public inquiry. Pressure is on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to launch an investigation.
- Court documents revealed last Thursday (Aug 10), that the six-year-old boy who shot his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, earlier this year in the US bragged about the incident, claiming “I shot [her] dead”. Despite surviving, Zwerner filed a $40 million lawsuit against school officials for negligence in ignoring warning signs. The child, who used his mother’s gun, confessed his involvement while restrained, mentioning he got the gun from his mother. His mother, Deja Taylor, faces charges for child neglect and endangerment. The boy had a previous incident of choking a teacher in kindergarten. The lawsuit claims school officials were aware of his violent history but didn’t act.
South America
- Legislative candidate for Ecuador, Estefany Puente has said that she was lightly injured in the shooting attack on Wednesday evening (Aug 10), following the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Vilavicencio, who was gunned down after leaving a campaign event, less than two weeks before the election has begun.
- A funeral Mass was held last Friday (Aug 12), as well as a public memorial in Quito for the assassinated presidential candidate Fernando Vilaviciencio. A former lawmaker as well as an anti-corruption journalist, he was remembered at a mass at a cemetery chapel in Quito, where he was accompanied by heavily-armed police.
- After an economic downturn and rampant inflation, Argentians hit hard by the economy have flocked to Saints instead of politicians, with some being critical that politicians are not doing enough to help. Argentines have lined up at churches on Monday (Aug 14) to ask St Cayetano, the patron saint of bread and labour, for employment. Unemployment has ticked up to 6.9% in the first quarter of the year for this South American country, with cynicism about the help politicians can offer rising together with the economy.
- Argentina’s primary election was won by far-right candidate Javier Milei last Sunday (Aug 13), a stinging rebuke of the political establishment in a nation that was battered by economic woes. With inflation at 116% and the cost-of-living crisis leaving four in 10 people in poverty, discontent is widespread in Argentina as the economic crisis leaves many Argentines disillusioned with the incumbent political party.
- Thousands of Ecuadorian soldiers and police were involved in a dawn operation to move Jose Adolfo Macias last Sunday (Aug 13), also known as “FIto”, a notorious gang leader to a maximum security jail after he had sent death threats to murdered presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio.
Europe:
- A tragic fire erupted in a residence in La Forge, northeastern France, last Wednesday (Aug 9). This residence was for people with learning disabilities. The building lacked proper safety inspections and appropriate smoke alarms. The property owner, who lives nearby, hasn’t been arrested. The structure didn’t meet safety standards and investigations into the fire’s cause continue. Two charities used the building, which was ill-equipped for public use. Despite the efforts of 80 firefighters, 11 lives were lost. French President Emmanuel Macron offered condolences to the victims’ families and praised emergency services.
- A German official identified as Thomas H has been accused of spying for Russia last Thursday (Aug 10). Thomas H, who worked with military equipment and IT, allegedly offered his services to the Russian embassy and consulate. He’s been detained and appeared before a judge. Authorities claim he shared information with a Russian intelligence service. The arrest follows warnings of aggressive Russian espionage due to the Ukraine conflict. This incident isn’t the first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In January, another German citizen was arrested for suspected intelligence sharing with Russia.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ousted over 30 individuals and removed all regional officials responsible for military conscription due to their involvement in bribery. He announced this last Saturday (Aug 12). Amid ongoing counter-offensive operations, efforts to bolster the armed forces have been marred by corruption. Ukrainian President Zelensky labelled accepting bribes during wartime as “high treason” endangering national security. Allegations involve cash, cryptocurrency bribes, and aiding draft dodgers. The corruption was unveiled during an inspection of army offices. New officials with battlefield experience and intelligence service vetting will replace those implicated. The conscription system has drawn criticism for inadequacy and mistreatment of soldiers.
- A police station in Ireland has been temporarily closed since last Wednesday (Aug 9), after a civilian entered the County Dublin facility with a suspected explosive device. The incident occurred near Balbriggan Garda Station in north County Dublin when the device was brought inside in the afternoon. The police believe the device has historical significance. As a precautionary measure, the station was closed to the public, and the Irish Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was summoned to assess the situation.
- A migrant boat capsized in the English Channel near Calais, leading to the tragic deaths of six Afghan men in their 30s. French and British coastguards successfully rescued 59 individuals, many of whom were Afghans, but the search for two possibly missing individuals has been discontinued. The overloaded vessel encountered trouble early last Saturday (Aug 12) and some survivors were seen being brought ashore in Dover on stretchers. The incident highlighted the ongoing dangers of these crossings and the need to address the issue of people smuggling.
Asia Pacific:
- Japanese companies increasingly turn to the elderly in order to fill up the current labour shortage as well as make businesses more competitive, as reported by Nikkei Asia last Sunday (Aug 13). Nearly 40% of businesses have allowed employees to work beyond age of 70. Workers that are 65 years old or older now make up more than 10% of the current workforce. However, as this phenomenon continues, workplace accidents rise together with them, with accidents involving employees 60 or older totaling about 38,000 in 2022, way up from 26% in 2017.
- Miss Universe organization proclaimed last Saturday (Aug 12) that following sexual harassment allegations, Miss Universe would be cutting ties with Indonesia’s organizer, PT Capella Swastika Karya and its national director Poppy Capella, severing their contract as well as cancelling this year’s Malaysia’s pageant.
- Devastation strikes in China as floods and incessant waves hit north-west China with 62 confirmed dead on Friday the week before (Aug 4), with 33 of them from Beijing and 29 from the neighbouring Hebei province. Typhoon Doksuri had slammed into the Fujian province on July 28 before weakening and making its way north. More than a million have been reported to be displaced according to state media. Social media criticism has also struck President Xi as he was not reported to have visited any of the sites when disaster struck, much unlike his predecessors.
- More than 30 individuals have been reported missing after a landslide at a Myanmar jade mine. A search and rescue operation have been dispatched on Monday (Aug 14) to locate the missing individuals. According to the leader of a local rescue team, the miners were apparently digging for jade before they were swept into a lake when the landslide hit. Earth and debris from several mines near the village also slid 304 metres down a cliff into the lake below and struck the miners on the way down.
Middle East:
- A holy shrine in Shiraz, Iran, has been attacked on Sunday (Aug 13) by a gunman for the second time in less than a year. The assailant entered the Shah Cheragh shrine, a significant site in Shia Islam, and opened fire, killing one person and injuring several others. The attacker was arrested after firing multiple shots. This incident follows a similar attack in October the previous year, during which a lone gunman killed 13 people at the shrine. The ISIS group claimed responsibility for both attacks, and recent executions of individuals linked to the group were carried out in connection to the 2022 assault. The attacks occurred against the backdrop of nationwide protests in Iran in 2022 and were seen as linked to the unrest by Iranian authorities.
- Saudi Arabia appointed its first ambassador last Saturday (Aug 12) to Palestine, Nayef al-Sudairi, who will also serve as consul general in Jerusalem. This move is seen as a step towards establishing formal diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The appointment was welcomed by Palestinian officials, indicating an effort to strengthen relations between the two countries. While the United States is working to normalise Israeli-Saudi relations, significant challenges remain, including issues related to the Israeli presence in the occupied West Bank and Saudi nuclear power development. Riyadh has emphasised that ties with Israel would only happen after the Palestinian conflict is resolved.
- Gunmen from ISIS ambushed a Syrian soldiers’ bus in eastern Syria, killing at least 20 soldiers and wounding others last Friday (Aug 11). ISIS, which operates sleeper cells, claimed responsibility for the attack. The ambush, the deadliest by ISIS this year, aimed to display the group’s continued strength and defiance despite leadership losses. The desert province of Deir Az Zor, where the attack occurred, is contested by Syrian troops, Kurdish-led forces, and allies of Iran and Russia. Despite losing its territorial hold, ISIS maintains sleeper cells that carry out lethal attacks targeting various groups.
- Gunfire targeted the car of Lebanon’s caretaker Defence Minister Maurice Slim in Beirut last Thursday (Aug 10), but he remained unharmed. An investigation is ongoing to determine if he was deliberately targeted or caught in crossfire. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s army was deployed to a Christian village near Beirut after a clash between residents and Hezbollah members, resulting in deaths on both sides. The incident reflects ongoing tensions within Lebanon exacerbated by its financial crisis. Hezbollah’s influence and arms are contentious issues, often seen as a challenge to the state’s authority.\
- A suspected al-Qaeda attack in southern Yemen’s Abyan governorate killed Commander Abd al-Latif al-Sayyid and three fighters from the Security Belt Forces last Thursday (Aug 10), a group loyal to the Yemeni secessionist Southern Transitional Council. While no official claim was made, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is believed responsible for the attack. The Southern Transitional Council, backed by the UAE, controls much of Yemen’s south and seeks separation. AQAP, active in Abyan province, poses a threat with frequent ambushes against Yemeni forces, leveraging the country’s ongoing conflict to establish its presence.
- Kuwait has banned the film “Barbie” by Warner Brothers last Wednesday (Aug 9), citing concerns about its promotion of ideas contrary to Kuwaiti society. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Information also banned the Australian film “Talk to Me” for similar reasons. In Lebanon, Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada requested a ban on the movie for allegedly promoting homosexuality and undermining traditional family values. This request is part of a broader anti-LGBTQ campaign in Lebanon, led by groups like Hezbollah. Despite anticipation among LGBTQ communities, the film does not overtly feature same-sex relationships, but it has faced bans or restrictions in other countries over various issues.
Africa:
- Leaders of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS have decided to activate their standby force last Thursday (Aug 10) in response to the coup in Niger that ousted its democratically elected leader. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, after an emergency summit, warned that all options, including the use of force, remain on the table. The bloc’s official communique included resolutions to deploy the standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger, both through peaceful means and, if necessary, through military intervention. However, there are mixed messages indicating a diplomatic approach and reluctance to engage in war. The situation is raising concerns about stability in the Sahel region and the credibility of ECOWAS.
- Tragedy struck at Zaria Central Mosque as a section collapsed during Friday prayers (Aug 11), leaving 8 worshipers dead and 25 injured. The incident occurred around 4 pm during Asr prayer, with the ancient portion built with mud collapsing on those beneath it. The Emir of Zazzau confirmed the incident, attributing it to a crack observed earlier in the mosque’s wall. The police are investigating the cause of the collapse, while the community mourns and plans for funeral prayers.
- Fierce clashes between Ethiopia’s military and a local ethnic militia, known as Fano, in the Amhara region have escalated recently. The government imposed a state of emergency and cut off internet access, while Israel evacuated over 200 Ethiopian Jews and Israelis. The conflict stems from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s move to integrate regional forces into the army, opposed by Amhara nationalists who fear reduced security. The ethnic militia, once aligned with Abiy, now battles the military to protect Amhara’s regional forces. This new strife risks plunging Ethiopia into further turmoil, challenging Abiy’s centralization efforts and destabilising a region already grappling with conflicts. International actors urged peaceful resolution in a joint statement last Friday (Aug 11), emphasising Ethiopia’s pivotal role in regional stability.
- The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum has led to a dire situation where funerals are nearly impossible due to violent street battles. Corpses are left unburied in the streets, with casualties estimated to be much higher than officially reported as of last Saturday (Aug 12). The conflict has shattered traditional funeral practices, where thousands would gather to pay respects. Both sides of the conflict are urged to return bodies to families for proper burials, with the ICRC providing support for collecting and handling the deceased.
- Shamsina, a startup in Egypt, is installing subsidised solar water heaters in low-income households to improve their well-being, reduce costs, and lower emissions. Founded by Sara Mousa, the company stated on Sunday (Aug 13) that it uses a hybrid business model, targeting both higher-end consumers and low-income families. Egypt aims to generate 42% of its energy from renewables by 2030, making initiatives like Shamsina crucial in achieving this goal. While solar water heaters might not fully replace conventional methods, they play a significant role in improving energy access and reducing emissions in the country.
- A recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlighted the potential for 8.4 million green jobs to be created for young people by 2030. Africa News highlighted on Saturday (Aug 12) that these jobs contribute to environmental preservation. The UN emphasises the importance of preparing youth through skill and training programs for these opportunities, with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) already funding youth hubs across Africa. These hubs provide on-the-job training and connections to private enterprises, addressing unemployment challenges in rural areas. Over 9000 rural youth have been trained and employed through these hubs, focusing on skills needed in green economies.
