July 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 July 2023.
- Lorry Crash In Kenya Killed Dozens And Left Several Others Injured
- Wife Of French Mayor Hurt, As Rioters Attack His Home
- Former Security Officials In Ukraine Have Been Charged With Treason
- The Taliban Have Ordered All Hair And Beauty Salon In Afghanistan To Shut Down
- At Least 16 People Confirmed Dead From Toxic Gas In Johannesburg, South Africa
- Ukraine To Receive Cluster Munitions From The United States
- Dutch Government Collapses Concerning Immigration Row
- President Of Gabon, Ali Bongo, Launches Re-Election Bid
- NATO Chief Confirms That Sweden’s NATO Bid Backed By Turkey
- Prime Minister Of Thailand Retires From Politics
- North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile After Threatening The United States
- Gender Reassignment Surgery Banned By Russian Parliament
- President Of South Korea Promises Ukraine $150m Aid
- China’s Economy Experienced A Growth Of 6.3% In The Second Quarter
- Russia Confirm It Will Not Renew Grain Deal With Ukraine
- Nicaragua Opposes Censure Of Russia At Summit Between EU And Latin America
- Two People Killed In Shooting At Auckland, New Zealand
- Zelenskiy Dismisses Ukraine’s Ambassador To London
- Suspect Sets Mexican Bar On Fire, Kills 11 People
- Building Collapse In Douala, Cameroon, Killing About 12 People
- Israel’s Supreme Court Power Limited After Parliament Votes
- China’s Foreign Minister Removed, After Being Absent From The Public For A Month
- Niger’s President Removed, As Soldiers Announce Coup On National Television
Lorry Crash In Kenya Killed Dozens And Left Several Others Injured
Photo Source: AP Photo
Saturday, July 1, 2023 – Kenyan Police confirmed that fewer than 48 people were killed in a road accident. The accident happened after a lorry carrying a shipping container lost control at Londiani Junction, one of the busy junctions in Kenya.
The commander of Police, Geoffrey Mayek, said 30 others were seriously injured due to the accident. There were also concerns that one or two people might be trapped under the bus. The president of Kenya, William Ruto, expressed how distressed he was to hear that most of the people killed in the accident were young.
The governor of the town, Dr. Erick Mutai, said the incident was a dark moment for Kericho. On his Facebook page, he also said that his heart was crushed after hearing about the incident and that necessary emergency services had been deployed.
Source: BBC
Wife Of French Mayor Hurt, As Rioters Attack His Home
Photo Source: AP Photo/Lewis Joly
Sunday, July 2, 2023 – In France, attackers attempted to set fire to the home of a suburban Paris mayor. They fired rockets at the official’s fleeing wife and children. The Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, has described the incident as intolerable. The suspects in the incident are yet to be identified.
The Mayor, Vincent Jeanbrun, was not at home, but his wife suffered a broken leg a child also sustained an injury. There has been a violent protest in France after a Police officer killed a teenager on Tuesday.
In a statement, the mayor said the attackers rammed through the gate of their home using a car before setting the cars on fire so the blaze would spread all over the house. His wife and two children, aged five and seven, then tried to run away from the house but were attacked with fireworks rockets.
Source: BBC
Former Security Officials In Ukraine Have Been Charged With Treason
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Monday, July 3, 2023 – Kyiv’s domestic intelligence agency confirmed that the authorities had charged former top security officials in Ukraine with treason. The move is aimed at identifying Russia’s spies within.
Oleh Kulinich, the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) Crimea directorate, was arrested last July on the charges that he required other Russian-friendly operatives on orders from Russia. If Kulinich is convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, praised the arrest of Kulinich last year and termed it a process of self-purification. The former SBU chief, Ivan Bakanov, was also sacked by Zelenskiy.
Authorities are also investigating a former head of the SUB’s Department of internal security, Andriy Naumov, who arrived in Serbia last year with a car full of cash and emeralds.
Source: Reuters
The Taliban Have Ordered All Hair And Beauty Salon In Afghanistan To Shut Down
Photo Source: AP Photo/Siddiqullah Khan
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 – All hair and beauty salons in Afghanistan have been ordered to shut down. The order was given by the Taliban, in the latest restriction faced by women. A Vice and virtue ministry spokesman said businesses are given one month to comply with the order.
Also, the Taliban have decreed that women should be dressed so that only their eyes are visible, and a male relative must also accompany them if they plan on traveling more than 72km.
There has been no explanation from the Taliban for what prompted the ban or if any alternatives would be available to women once the salon has been shut. Afghan women reacting to the ban said the Taliban are taking away the most basic human rights from women in Afghanistan.
Source: BBC
At Least 16 People Confirmed Dead From Toxic Gas In Johannesburg, South Africa
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jerome Delay
Thursday, July 6, 2023 – South African police confirm that no less than 16 people died when toxic gas leaked from a cylinder close to Johannesburg. Emergency services believe that the gas leak resulted from illegal mining activities.
Spokesperson of the emergency service, William Ntladi, said the initial information authorities had indicated that illegal miners were using the gas in the cylinders to process gold inside a shack. Ntladi confirmed that a leak from the gas cylinder caused the deaths. After the gas leak stopped, teams searched a 100-meter radius for more casualties.
The high unemployment rate in the country has been linked to the growth in illegal mining. The mining industry collapsed due to depleted reserves, a decline in commodity prices, rising employment costs, and unreliable power supplies.
Source: The Guardian
Ukraine To Receive Cluster Munitions From The United States
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Friday, July 7, 2023 – The National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, confirmed that the United States has decided to send cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of the new military aid package. The approval came after months of debates on whether or not to send the weapons, which were banned by 100 countries, including allies of the United States.
The transfer was approved by the President, Joe Biden. The munitions will be compatible with the 155 mm howitzers the United States provided. The 155 mm howitzers have assisted Ukraine over the last year to win back territories.
The undersecretary of defense for policy, Dr. Colin Kahl, said Ukraine assured the United States that they would not use the cluster munitions in urban areas that civilians populate.
Source: CNN
Dutch Government Collapses Concerning Immigration Row
Photo Source: AP Photo/Michael Corder
Saturday, July 8, 2023 – The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, has announced his resignation and that of his cabinet. The resignations come as there is an irreconcilable difference within his four-party coalition on how to control immigration. As a result of the resignation of the country’s longest-serving premier, the Netherlands will face a general election for the 150-seat lower house of parliament.
Rutte told reporters that it is no secret that coalition partners have different opinions on migration policy. He also added that, as a result of that, they have to conclude that those differences are irreconcilable. Rutte would lead a caretaker government until the election that would focus on tasks including continued support for the war effort of Ukraine.
Lawmakers of the opposition wasted no time in calling for a fresh general election in the country.
Source: The Guardian
President Of Gabon, Ali Bongo, Launches Re-Election Bid
Photo Source: AP Photo/Bart Maat
Sunday, July 9, 2023 – The President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, confirmed that he will run for re-election in August. The president announced on Sunday as he plans on extending his family’s 56-year grip on power in the country.
President Bongo, who is 64 years old, became the President of Gabon in 2009 after his father, Omar, the president of the country since 1967, passed away. President Bongo has served two seven-year terms in office and is looking to extend his reign in August. While giving his speech, President Bongo said, “Because nothing matters more than success, he is announcing today that he is a candidate.
There was doubt about his re-election after he suffered a stroke in 2018 and was flown to Morocco for treatment, where he spent three months. He returned home shortly after a coup attempt was thwarted in his absence.
Source: Reuters
NATO Chief Confirms That Sweden’s NATO Bid Backed By Turkey
Photo Source: AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin
Monday, July 10, 2023 – Major developments on the eve of NATO submission as the chief of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, announced that Turkey had agreed to back Sweden in their bid to join the military alliance.
Earlier on Monday, the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had said that Sweden could only join the alliance after his country is accepted into the European Union. Turkey has been the only country that stood apart from Sweden from joining NATO for over a year.
When asked when Sweden would be officially announced as a member of NATO, Stoltenberg said that it was up to Turkey to make an announcement. Erdogan has agreed to move to send the accession protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly as soon as possible.
Source: CNN
Prime Minister Of Thailand Retires From Politics
Photo Source: AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 – The party of the Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, has confirmed that he will not seek re-election and will retire from politics. The announcement was made just two days before the parliament of Thailand was set to vote for a new prime minister following the election in May.
Prayut, who is 69 years old, became the Prime Minister in 2014 when he seized power in a coup as the army chief and declared himself the Prime Minister, His party won the most seat in the parliament in 2019. He was then elected leader with the support of the Senate.
The Progressive Move Forward Party, backed majorly by the young people in Thailand for its reformist platform, won the most seats and the largest share of the popular vote.
Source: CNN
North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile After Threatening The United States
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 – Japan and South Korea officials confirmed North Korea had fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The long-range missile flew for over one hour just before landing in Japanese water on Wednesday morning. In response to the missile, the United States and South Korea have increased their joint military drill around the peninsula.
North Korea fired the missile shortly after threatening retaliation against the United States for the recent spy plane incursion over its territory. However, the accusations were dismissed by Washington, saying its military patrols are in line with international law.
The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-Yeol, convened an emergency meeting of his national security council. He convened the meeting in Lithuania, where he is attending the NATO summit.
Source: BBC
Gender Reassignment Surgery Banned By Russian Parliament
Photo Source: AP Photo/Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Friday, July 14, 2023 – The lower house of parliament in Russia has passed a law which bans reassignment surgery. The law is the latest blow to LGBTQIA+ rights in the country. The approved bill also prohibits people from changing their gender on state documents.
The bill now requires approval from the upper house and President Vladimir Putin. The lower house speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, said the bill would protect Russia’s citizens and children.
The bill passed on Friday had fresh amendments added to it in its final reading, such as banning individuals who have undergone gender changes from adopting children and also annulling marriages where one party had undergone gender reassignment.
Groups that support LGBT rights believe that the law would impact the health of people denied access to care.
Source: BBC
President Of South Korea Promises Ukraine $150m Aid
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Saturday, July 15, 2023 – South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol has promised to increase his country's humanitarian and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine. This decision comes after a summit with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Being the world’s ninth-largest arms exporter, South Korea has a longstanding policy not to supply lethal weapons to an active conflict zone.
President Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon-Hee, traveled to Ukraine after visiting Lithuania for a NATO summit. It is the first visit Yoon has made to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country almost 17 months ago. The humanitarian aid would also be increased to $150m in 2023.
During a joint briefing, President Zelenskiy appreciated the South Korean President's encouraging words and firm support. He also praised the transfer of vehicles and demining equipment to Ukraine.
Source: The Guardian
China’s Economy Experienced A Growth Of 6.3% In The Second Quarter
Photo Source: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Sunday, July 16, 2023 – The economy of China has expanded in the second quarter by 6.3% from last year because of a low base. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data, gross domestic product, compared to the first quarter, grew just 0.8% from April to June.
Lockdown as a result of COVID-19 affected the world’s second-largest economy last year, including the financial hub of Shanghai. After lifting the lockdown restriction, the economy strongly rebounded, with GDP growth of 4.5%.
In June, industrial output expanded by 4.4%, and fixed asset investment rose 3.8%during the same month. A new record high was set regarding youth employment, with the jobless rate for those ages 16 to 24 reaching 21.34% in June, which surpassed the previous record of 20.8% that was set in May.
Source: CNN
Russia Confirm It Will Not Renew Grain Deal With Ukraine
Photo Source: AP Photo/Sunday Alamba
Monday, July 17, 2023 – Russia has confirmed that it will not renew the grain deal with Ukraine when it expires, as it accuses the West of not holding up its side of the bargain. However, Russia confirmed they would return to the agreement if their conditions were met. The President of Russia had complained that part of the deal which would allow the export of Russian food had not been honoured.
The agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022 is set to expire at 5 p.m. ET on Monday.
Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, had accused Russia of Using the grain deal as a weapon. Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, said, “Russia has been killing the grain initiative from one extension to another.” He also added that grain prices will increase worldwide with Russia ending the deal.
Source: CNN
Nicaragua Opposes Censure Of Russia At Summit Between EU And Latin America
Photo Source: AP Photo/Peter Dejong
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 – Leaders of the European Union have failed to convince all the Latin America and Caribbean counterparts to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine strongly. The president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), Ralph Gonsalves, confirmed that Nicaragua did not agree to the sole paragraph on the war in the final 41-paragraph communique.
For the first time in eight years, the summit was designed to reboot relations between European Union and Latin America as the bloc seeks to stop relying on Russia and China for energy and critical raw materials. European Union also announced that more than €45bn would be committed to reinforcing the two blocs' partnership.
Gonsalves, however, said that the summit had given meaning and proper direction to a new relationship between the two regions.
Source: The Guardian
Two People Killed In Shooting At Auckland, New Zealand
Photo Source: AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Two people died in a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand. The shooting came just hours before FIFA Women’s World Cup was set to begin in the city. Six other people, including police officers, were injured due to the incident, and the gunman is confirmed dead.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins, said they do not consider the attack an act of terrorism and said the tournament would proceed as planned. He also added that the public should be rest assured that the police had neutralized the threat.
FIFA said it communicated with the authorities in New Zealand and expressed its deepest condolences to the victims' families. The minister for sports, Grant Robertson, said they would provide extra security in the area where the opening match is expected to occur.
Source: BBC
Zelenskiy Dismisses Ukraine’s Ambassador To London
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali
Friday, July 21, 2023 – The ambassador of Ukraine to London has been dismissed by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. His dismissal comes shortly after the Ukrainian president was asked to be more grateful for the military help that has been provided to them by the West.
According to a presidential order, Vadym Prystaiko’s dismissal was announced without any official reason, and he was also removed as Ukraine’s representative to the International Maritime Organization. Tension grew between Prystaiko and Zelenskiy when Prystaiko went on Sky News to question some of the behavior of the Ukrainian president.
However, the tension with the West appears to have reduced, with some Ukrainians believing that enough is not being said about their troops dying on the battlefield every day. They added that the troops do not only fight to regain their sovereignty but also to defend Western values.
Source: The Guardian
Suspect Sets Mexican Bar On Fire, Kills 11 People
Photo Source: Getty Images
Saturday, July 22, 2023 – 11 people were reported to have died in what is believed to have been an arson attack on a bar in the northern Mexican border city of San Luis Rio Colorado. Authorities confirmed that an expelled patron set the bar on fire with a Molotov cocktail.
Prosecutors from Sonora state said they believe the suspect was a young male who was highly intoxicated during the attack in the early hours of Saturday. He was thrown out of the bar for being disrespectful to women there. The prosecutor also added that he returned afterwards and threw a Molotov cocktail at the bar's doors.
Four out of the 11 who died were women, and four others are being treated in the hospital for injuries they sustained in the fire.
Source: Reuters
Building Collapse In Douala, Cameroon, Killing About 12 People
Photo Source: AP Photo
Sunday, July 23, 2023 – At least 12 people died when a building collapsed in the biggest city in Cameroon, Douala. Five people were also injured in the incident. There has been no confirmation of how many people were inside the building when it fell into another residential building. Search and rescue are being conducted in the rubble.
Samuel Dieudonne Ivana Diboua, the regional governor, has reassured the people, saying the situation is under control and rescue teams will ensure that no one is left beneath the wreckage. Emergency care is given to three children and 10 adults at the Laquintinie Hospital, close to the incident site.
However, it is unclear what the cause of the building collapse is, but residents said it looked dilapidated.
Source: BBC
Israel’s Supreme Court Power Limited After Parliament Votes
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg
Monday, July 24, 2023 – The parliament of Israel passed a controversial bill on Monday. Despite months of protests and pressure from the American government, the bill was aimed at sealing the Judiciary. The bill passed after a final vote of 64-0 after all the coalition party members voted for it. While the roll call, all the opposition party members left the chamber.
Last week, there were rumors that the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, may retract the vote or soften its components. But on Monday, the Prime Minister pushed forward with it when he arrived at the parliament shortly after he was released from the hospital.
The passed bill strips the Supreme Court of the power to declare government decisions unreasonable.
Source: CNN
China’s Foreign Minister Removed, After Being Absent From The Public For A Month
Photo Source: AP Photo/Andy Wong
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 – The foreign minister of China, Qin Gang, was ousted dramatically on Tuesday after a long absence from public view and replaced by his predecessor in a move to shake up the country’s foreign policy leadership. The parliament approved the removal of Qin, the top decision-making body in China, as Mr Qin was last seen in public on June 25.
China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee appointed a new foreign minister on Tuesday in a meeting that was abruptly scheduled a day before. Wang now serves as the director of the foreign affairs arm of the ruling Communist Party. He was the former foreign minister from 2013 to 2022.
Qi was last seen in public while walking alongside Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko. However, The ministry has not explained Qi's disappearance from China’s foreign affairs schedule. Earlier this month, the ministry cited health reasons when he missed a diplomatic gathering.
Source: CNN
Niger’s President Removed, As Soldiers Announce Coup On National Television
Photo Source: AP Photo/Sam Mednick
Thursday, July 26, 2023 – Military personnel in Niger has announced that they have removed the President, Mohamed Bazoum, from power. The announcement came after armed troops blocked the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital of Niger. A few hours after detaining the president, a group of soldiers appeared on the country’s national television.
Colonel Amadou Abdramane, while reading a statement, said: “The defense and security forces had decided to put an end to the regime that people know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance". A National curfew was announced following the closure of the country's borders. All institutions of the republic have also been suspended.
The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said he had spoken to President Bazoum earlier and clarified that the U.S. supports him as the democratically elected president. He then said the U.S. called for his immediate release.
Source: The Guardian
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