August Current Events 2023: World News
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The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the World news events you need to know so far for August 2023.
- Leader Of Niger Coup, Abdourahmane Tchiani, Declares Himself Leader Of The Country
- Warehouse Containing Fireworks Explodes, Killing Nine People In Thailand
- Suicide Blast Kills At Least 54 People In Political Gathering In Pakistan
- Indian Railway Officer Kills Four People After Opening Fire On A Moving Train
- Sarah Breeden Set To Be Appointed As Deputy Governor Of Bank Of England
- Prime Minister Of Canada Justin Trudeau And His Wife, Sophie, Separate
- China To Kickstart Economy, After Plans To Improve Internal Migration
- Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Sentenced To Three Years In Prison
- Train Derails In Pakistan, Killing 30 People And Injuring 67 Others
- Assassination Plot Against The President Of Ukraine Neutralized
- A 40% Windfall Tax Was Approved By Italian Government As A Result Of Soaring Profits
- Shipwreck Off Lampedusa Kills 41 Migrants
- Boats Carrying Over 50 Fleeing Passengers Sinks, Killing 23 People
- Kakar Appointed As The Caretaker Prime Minister To Oversee Pakistan National Election
- Miss Universe Severs Ties With Organizers In Indonesia Concerning Sexual Harassment
- At Least 26 People Killed By An Air Strike In Ethiopia
- President Yoon’s Father, Yoon Ki Jung, Dies At 92
- Crowd Set Eight Churches On Fire In A Province In Pakistan
- Politicians And Journalists In The United Kingdom Sanctioned By Russian Government
- Russian Strike Hits Center Of Ukraine, Kills Seven People
- Spain Beats England To Win The World Cup For The First Time In Their History
- Russian Aircraft Destroyed By Ukrainian Drone
- Srettha Thavisin Elected By The Parliament As The New Prime Minister Of Thailand
- Wagner Boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Listed As Part Of The Crew Of Plane Crash With No Survivors
Leader Of Niger Coup, Abdourahmane Tchiani, Declares Himself Leader Of The Country
Photo Source: AP Photo/Sam Mednick
Friday, July 28, 2023 – Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani has pronounced himself as the new leader of Niger after he staged a coup. The coup happened on Wednesday when the presidential guard he led staged a coup and seized the country’s president. President Mohamed Bazoum is reportedly in good health and still being held captive by his guards.
France, however, said it does not recognize any of the coup leaders and will only recognize Mr. Bazoum as head of state. The foreign ministry of France said in a statement that “they reiterate in the strongest terms the international community’s apparent demand for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and democratically elected civilian power.
International bodies have condemned the coup, including African Union, the West African regional bloc (ECOWAS), the European Union, and the United Nations.
Source: BBC
Warehouse Containing Fireworks Explodes, Killing Nine People In Thailand
Photo Source: AP Photo/Kriya Tehtani
Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Nine people have been confirmed dead and more than 100 injured when an explosion ripped through a warehouse containing fireworks in Thailand. The explosion is said to have been caused by welding during construction work on the building.
The governor of Narathiwat, Sanan Pongaksorn, said, "The fire is not under control. Preliminary investigation suggests that the cause was an error during the still-welding process. Up to 500 houses were damaged because of the explosion.
Footage shows massive smoke rising into the air, and numerous shops, homes, and vehicles were badly damaged by the force of the explosion. Some were set ablaze, and some had their roofs blown off.
Thailand is known to have a poor safety record in the construction sector, and deadly accidents are common.
Source: The Guardian
Suicide Blast Kills At Least 54 People In Political Gathering In Pakistan
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad
Sunday, July 30, 2023 – A political convention organized by an Islamist party in northwestern Pakistan was attacked by a suicide bomber, killing not less than 54 people. Over 100 people were injured in the attack targeted at the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazi (JUI-F) party members.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the local branch of ISIS has previously targeted JUI-F party leaders who are considered apostates. Maulana Fazlur, the leader of the JUI-F party, has expressed deep sorrow and regret over the blast. A witness confirmed that over 500 people were at the convention when the blast occurred.
The incident was condemned by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif. An investigation has been launched concerning the blast, and the office of the Prime Minister has requested a report from the Minister for Interior, Arabs Sanaullah, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
Source: CNN
Indian Railway Officer Kills Four People After Opening Fire On A Moving Train
Photo Source: AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
Monday, July 31, 2023 – A railway security in India opened fire on a moving train in Maharashtra. The spokesperson of the Western Railway confirmed that four people were killed as a result of the incident. The spokesperson also added that Chetan Kumar, the constable in the Railway Protection Force, killed his colleague and three other passengers.
The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on a passenger train traveling from Jaipur to Mumbai.
The police arrested Mr. Chetan after he pulled the alarm and jumped off the train. An investigation has been launched; however, the reason behind the shooting is yet to be discovered.
The divisional railway manager, Neeraj Kumar, confirmed that the victims' families are being contacted and their next of kin would be duly compensated.
Source: CNN
Sarah Breeden Set To Be Appointed As Deputy Governor Of Bank Of England
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alastair Grant
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 - Sarah Breeden is expected to become the deputy governor of the Bank of England by November. With this, the financial services institution will have the largest number of women ever on its interest rates setting committee. Positions on the rate-setting monetary policy committee (MPC) and financial policy committee will be assumed by Breeden, which she will chair in the absence of the Bank’s Governor.
Breeden will be the first appointment of a woman as deputy governor since Charlotte Hogg was appointed in 2017, a post she resigned from two weeks later.
As the deputy governor, Breeden will oversee the Bank’s cryptocurrency policy and broader concerns about the stability of the banking and financial sectors. She would also be working with the head of the Prudential Regulation Authority. Breeden will join three other women on the nine-member MPC.
Source: The Guardian
Prime Minister Of Canada Justin Trudeau And His Wife, Sophie, Separate
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 - Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, and his wife, Sophie, are splitting up after 18 years following challenging and meaningful discussions. The couple, who married in Montreal in 2005 and have 3 children together, said they would remain a close family.
According to the office of the Prime Minister, the couple will still make public appearances even though they have signed a separation agreement. The statement also confirms that “they have worked to ensure that all legal and ethical steps regarding their decision to separate.”
The couple has asked for privacy because of the well-being of their children, Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien, who are 15, 14, and nine, respectively. Mr. Trudeau is the second Prime Minister of Canada to announce separation while in office since his father and mother separated in 1977.
Source: BBC
China To Kickstart Economy, After Plans To Improve Internal Migration
Photo Source: AP Photo/Andy Wong
Friday, August 4, 2023 - The government of China has announced that it would relax its rules on internal migration. This will allow people to settle in small cities to boost their economy and promote growth.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced plans to reduce the requirement for obtaining an urban hukou, or household registration. The ministry directed Local governments to cancel hukou restrictions in cities with fewer than 3 million people and to relax the restrictions for cities with 3-5 million people. Hukou policies have been decentralized since the 1990s. This allows local governments to set their own rules about registering new citizens.
The deputy director of the Ministry of Public Security, He Wenlin, confirmed that the government wants the new measure to be implemented by the end of the month.
Source: The Guardian
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Sentenced To Three Years In Prison
Photo Source: AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary
Saturday, August 5, 2023 – The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been sentenced to three years in prison over corruption allegations. He was found guilty of not declaring the money he earned from selling gifts he received while he was in office.
Mr. Khan, a former cricket player before becoming a politician, was elected into office in 2018. He was, however, ousted last year with a vote of no confidence after falling out with Pakistan’s military.
Judge Humayun Dilawar wrote in his ruling that the dishonesty of the former Prime Minister had been established beyond doubt. The judge confirmed that the police had been instructed to immediately arrest Mr Khan.
The lawyer of Imran Khan, Intazar Hussain Panjutha, condemned the trial, saying the accused was not allowed to defend himself.
Source: BBC
Train Derails In Pakistan, Killing 30 People And Injuring 67 Others
Photo Source: AP Photo/Muhammad Osama
Sunday, August 6, 2023 – Pakistan Railways confirm that not less than 30 people were killed and 67 others injured when a train derailed in the country on Sunday. A spokesperson in the company, Babar Raza, said that relief and rescue efforts are ongoing after the train derailed near Nawabshah, in the southern Sindh province.
Mr. Raza said that people are being rescued from the wreckage, and two relief trains are coming to the site.
Minister for Railways in Pakistan, Khawaja Saad Rafique, said a thorough investigation would be carried out to determine the cause of the accident. He added, "Relevant officials have been directed to ascertain all possibilities.”
The railway system in Pakistan does not have a good safety record, with a series of deadly accidents that have happened in recent years.
Source: CNN
Assassination Plot Against The President Of Ukraine Neutralized
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ukrainian Presidential Press Office
Monday, August 7, 2023 – The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) confirmed the arrest of an alleged Russian informant connected to a plot to assassinate the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the SBU, the woman is from the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. However, her name has not been revealed.
According to the SBU, The suspect has been gathering information concerning President Zelensky’s planned visit to Mykolaiv at the end of July to plan a Russian strike to kill the President. SBU, however, managed to get information about the suspect's activities and adopted security measures to foil the plot.
After an investigation, the suspect was found to be a resident of Ochakov in the Mykolaiv region and a former saleswoman in a military store. SBU, you said they caught the woman as she was trying to pass information to the invaders.
Source: CNN
A 40% Windfall Tax Was Approved By Italian Government As A Result Of Soaring Profits
Photo Source: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 – Italy has imposed a one-off windfall tax on local banks accused of reaping billions in extra profit from rising interest rates. The government approved the tax in a cabinet meeting and planned to use the proceeds to support mortgage holders and cut taxes when rising rates have put extra pressure on households.
The deputy prime minister of Italy, Matteo Salvini, said one only has to concentrate on banks’ profits in the first half of 2023 and the result of the European Central Bank’s rate hikes. The government plans to tax 40% of this income stream, with the payment due by the middle of 2024.
An equity analyst such as Jefferies said that the decision by the Italian government to tax the net interest margin came unexpectedly. Jefferies estimates that up to €4.9 billion will be paid by Italy's 10 largest publicly listed banks.
Source: The Guardian
Shipwreck Off Lampedusa Kills 41 Migrants
Photo Source: AP Photo/Francisco Seco
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 – A shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa has left 41 migrants dead. Four people who survived the wreck told rescuers they were aboard a boat that set off from Sfax in Tunisia and sank while going to Italy.
The Italian Red Cross and German charity Sea-Watch said the four that survived the shipwreck did so by floating on inner tubes and lifejackets until they came across an empty boat at sea, where they spent several days drifting before they were rescued. Two shipwrecks were reported by the Italian coast guard in the area; it is, however, unclear whether this vessel is one of them.
Over 17,000 deaths and disappearances have been registered by the United Nations in the central Mediterranean since 2014, which makes it the most dangerous migrant crossing in the world. A $118m deal was signed with Tunisia by the European Union to curb irregular migration.
Source: BBC
Boats Carrying Over 50 Fleeing Passengers Sinks, Killing 23 People
Photo Source: AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin
Friday, August 11, 2023 – The bodies of Rohingyans fleeing Myanmar have been recovered after their boat sank. 23 bodies were recovered, and 30 others are still missing. It was also confirmed that eight people survived the accident. The survivors said their boat, carrying more than 50 passengers, sank as they attempted to reach Malaysia.
Thousands of Rohingyas attempt to go to Malaysia every year as they are trying to escape persecution in Myanmar and overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh. This week, 13 women and 10 men who are all Rohingya Muslims have been confirmed dead.
The survivors said they had paid the smugglers close to $4,000 per person for the journey to Malaysia, after which they abandoned the boats. The journey across the Andaman Sea is often dangerous as this time of the year at the peak of the monsoon storm season.
Source: BBC
Kakar Appointed As The Caretaker Prime Minister To Oversee Pakistan National Election
Photo Source: AP Photo/Pakistan President Office
Saturday, August 12, 2023 – The leader of the opposition in Pakistan has announced the appointment of a caretaker Prime Minister who will oversee the country's next election. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sherif, and opposition leader, Raja Riaz, agreed to name Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar as the caretaker premier.
Pakistan’s former minister of information, Fawad Chaudhry, commends the appointment of Kakar as the caretaker prime minister. Kakar once served for the Balochistan government and is known for his close relationship with the military establishment.
According to the constitution of Pakistan, a neutral caretaker government takes care of the country’s national elections, which must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the parliament’s lower house. The parliament of Pakistan was dissolved on Wednesday, and the law stipulates that elections must be held within 90 days.
Source: The Guardian
Miss Universe Severs Ties With Organizers In Indonesia Concerning Sexual Harassment
Photo Source: AP Photo/APTN
Sunday, August 13, 2023 – The Miss Universe Organization has confirmed that it was severing its ties with its franchise in Indonesia and canceling this year’s Malaysia pageant. This decision was because of local contestants accusing organizers of sexual harassment. In an email from the organization, they said, “it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to the standards, ethics, and expectations of the brand, as outlined in the franchise handbook.”
Six contestants of Miss Universe in Indonesia filed complaints that the organizers are sexually harassing them, saying they were subjected to topless body checks. The police spokesperson confirmed they would launch a formal investigation into the report.
The Miss Universe Organization said its policies are being evaluated to avoid similar occurrences in the future. They also added that body measurements or dimensions are not required to join the worldwide pageant.
Source: CNN
At Least 26 People Killed By An Air Strike In Ethiopia
Photo Source: AP Photo
Monday, August 14, 2023 – At least 26 people were killed due to an air strike in the Amhara region in Ethiopia. The air strike is one of the deadliest in the region, where the army has been fighting a paramilitary force known as Fano.
An official from the hospital confirmed that all the victims we brought to the hospital were either wearing casual civilian or traditional clothing. He also added that “the casualties range from a child who is 13-years-old to the elderly. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) called on both conflicting parties to end human rights law violations.
Due to the violence, drastic decisions have been taken, such as the government of Israel evacuating its citizens and Jewish people from the area last week. Lots of Jewish people reside in Amhara.
Source: BBC
President Yoon’s Father, Yoon Ki Jung, Dies At 92
Photo Source: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Tuesday, August 15, 2023 – Yoon Ki Jung, a renowned economist and the father of the President of South Korea, Yoon Sun Yeol, died on Tuesday at 92. Late Yoon, a former professor emeritus at Yonsei University, was hospitalized for an unspecified illness.
He died shortly after President Yoon delivered a speech that marked the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Korean colonial rule. After the liberation day ceremony, the president went to the hospital to stay by his father’s side as he passed away.
President Yoon is expected to depart for a standalone trilateral summit on Thursday. The summit is with the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, at Camp David in Maryland.
The office of President Yoon confirms that they have decided to hold a private funeral with only the family members. An official from his office also confirmed that there will be no change in the schedule of the President.
Source: Reuters
Crowd Set Eight Churches On Fire In A Province In Pakistan
Photo Source: AP Photo/Avid Waqar
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 – Eight churches and several homes were vandalized by a crowd following a blasphemy accusation against Islam in the most populated province in Pakistan on Wednesday. In an update on Wednesday, the National Commission confirmed that the number of burned churches has risen to eight.
According to a police report, two Christian men in Jaranwala were arrested and charged for desecrating the holy Quran and abusing Prophet Mohammed. The two men were books under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The crowd also vandalized multiple churches, including the town’s Catholic Church, the Salvation Army Church, and the Pentecostal Church.
Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, condemned the violence. He wrote on X that “stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities.
Source: CNN
Politicians And Journalists In The United Kingdom Sanctioned By Russian Government
Photo Source: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias
Friday, August 18, 2023 – The foreign ministry of Russia has confirmed that Russia has banned 54 British nationals and people who work for organizations in the United Kingdom from entering the country. The decision was taken in retaliation to the sanctions on Russian citizens by the government of the United Kingdom.
Russian government sanctioned the cultural secretary, Lucy Frazer; they accuse her of actively lobbying for the international sports isolation of Russia. Some of those who were sanctioned were the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, and the minister of State for Defense, Annabel Goldie.
The United Kingdom is among the Western countries to sanction Russia in response to its war with Ukraine in 2022. Over 1,000 businesses and individuals have been sanctioned by the U.S., EU, U.K., and other countries.
Source: BBC
Russian Strike Hits Center Of Ukraine, Kills Seven People
Photo Source: AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka
Saturday, August 19, 2023 – Officials from Ukraine confirm that a Russian missile strike has killed at least seven people and injured close to 130 others. One of the seven people who were killed was a six-year-old girl. The missile from Russia hit a university and a theater, where a drone manufacturing event occurred.
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky said that a regular Saturday was turned into a painful one due to the attack. The acting mayor of Chernihiv city, Oleksandr Lomako, said the attack happened in the middle of the day when many people were in the city center. He also said the attack can only be interpreted as a war crime against civilians.
One of the organizers of the events said the local military-civilian administration approved the drone event, and the authorities also approved the venue.
Source: CNN
Spain Beats England To Win The World Cup For The First Time In Their History
Photo Source: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Sunday, August 20, 2023 – Spain has made history by beating England 1-0 to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time. Spain’s progress to the final was remarkable as the national team had a tumultuous year.
Spain outplayed England in the match, in both possession and attempts on goal. England, however, has some solace because they are competing in their first-ever World Cup final, just like Spain.
Olga Carmona, who scored a brilliant goal in the 29th minute, proved to be the match-winning goal for Spain. Spain also lost a penalty kick, as they became only the second country, aside from Germany, to win both the men’s and women’s World Cups. Prince Williams paid tribute to the team spirit. He said, “Although it’s the result none of them wanted, Lionesses have done themselves and the nation proud.”
Source: CNN
Russian Aircraft Destroyed By Ukrainian Drone
Photo Source: AP Photo/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service
Monday, August 21, 2023 – Reports confirmed that a Ukrainian drone strike had destroyed a Russian long-range bomber. The images posted on social media show a Tupolev Tu-22 on fire at Soltsy-2 airbase, south of St. Petersburg. Russia has often used the Tu-22 — a supersonic war jet — to attack Ukrainian cities.
The Ministry of Defense of Russia confirmed that “an attack by a copter-type UAV took place around 10:00 Moscow time.” The ministry added, “The UAV was detected by the airfield’s observation outpost and was hit with small-arms fire.”
However, the destruction of just one aircraft in the Russian military has little effect on the potency of Moscow’s current 60-strong fleet. The operation, however, highlights that Kyiv’s ability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory is growing.
Source: BBC
Srettha Thavisin Elected By The Parliament As The New Prime Minister Of Thailand
Photo Source: AP Photo/Government Spokesman Office
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 – Srettha Thavisin has been voted by Thailand’s parliament to be the country’s next prime minister following three months of political deadlock. Srettha, who is 60-year-old was the only candidate put forward by the populist Pheu Thai Party. Srettha received 482 votes out of a possible 747 in the parliament.
After the vote, Srettha said he feels incredibly honored to be elected as the 30th prime minister of Thailand. He expressed his gratitude to every Thai coalition party, honorable members of the House of Representatives, and every senator who joined the vote. He also promised to execute his duties as the Prime Minister effectively.
Srettha election happened on the same day that the former Pheu Thai founder and former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, returned to the country after more than 15 years in self-imposed exile.
Source: CNN
Wagner Boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Listed As Part Of The Crew Of Plane Crash With No Survivors
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko
Thursday, August 24, 2023 – Yevgeny Prigozhin, a notable and influential mercenary in Russia, was on board a plane that crashed north of Moscow with no survivors. Neither the Kremlin nor the Defense Ministry commented on the fate of Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group and a self-declared enemy of the army's leadership.
Grey Zone, a Telegram channel linked to Wagner, has pronounced him dead. They hailed him as a hero and patriot who it said had died in the hands of unidentified people called “traitors to Russia.”
The death of Prigozhin would also leave Wagner Group leaderless and raise questions about its future operations in Africa and other places. The executive jet that crashed, the Brazilian Embraer Legacy 600 model, has only recorded one accident in over 20 years of service.
Source: Reuters
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