Our Top Stories for the Week of August 22, 2022
It’s been a busy week, from violence around the world to discoveries in space. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top stories of the week.
International Violence & Resolutions
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White House Confirms Summit Against Hate Crimes: On Friday, August 19, the Press Secretary confirmed that President, Joe Biden, will host a summit at the White House in September. The "United We Stand" summit, which will take place on September 15, will bring together the government, civil rights organizations, and spiritual groups and include Biden's keynote speech. Biden, a Democrat, is attempting to highlight his recent legislative victories, including a gun safety bill he signed in June, ahead of the November congregational election.[1]
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Darya Dugina Killed In A Moscow Bomb Blast: On Sunday, August 21, 29-year-old Darya Dugina was killed in an explosion on a road west of Moscow, according to Russia's investigating committee. According to reports, an explosive device under the car exploded and caught fire. Her father, Alexander Dugin, dubbed "Putin's brain," is believed to have been the original target of the attack. A Ukrainian official has denied that Ukraine was involved in the event.[2]
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Jihadi Group Seize Somalian Hotel: On Saturday, August 20, Security personnel are still fighting militants inside a Somali hotel where at least 20 people have been murdered. He further reported that scores of people, including children, had been evacuated from the facility. The bombing is the deadliest in Somalia since Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in May, after months of political upheaval. It comes as military operations against al-Shabaab have been stepped up.[3]
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3 Arkansas Police Suspended Over Violent Video: On Monday, August 22, Arkansas State Police launched an inquiry after a video showing three local cops punching a man during an arrest went viral. As shown in the video, the man being arrested was hit by an officer and had his head pushed against the pavement. According to State Police, the individual was previously suspected of making threats in a shop.[4]
Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] BBC [3] Reuters [4] The Guardian
World Politics
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Aid From South Korea Rejected By North Korea: On Friday, August 19, South Korea's offer of economic assistance to North Korea was turned down. According to North Korea, the idea implies that President Yoon Suk Yeol is "very simple." Instead of reacting to the ambitious initiative, South Korea's Unification Ministry declared that North Korea had misunderstood South Korea's idea and stated its commitment to pursue nuclear development. She also said North Korea would not meet South Korea face to face.[1]
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Biden's Administration Contemplates A $1 Trillion Bill: On Saturday, August 20, the White House reports that it is stepping up efforts to promote the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, as well as measures to repair roads, bridges, and airports. According to White House infrastructure coordinator Mitch Landrieu, the plan is a game changer that will fund public lands, clean water, and the electric grid. Pete Buttigieg, the United States Secretary of Transportation, will begin a four-day, six-state tour on Tuesday.[2]
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Former Pakistani Prime Minister Under Police Radar: On Monday, August 22, Pakistani authorities began investigating whether former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan breached anti-terror legislation and barred him from holding live television sessions. According to police documents, an investigation was launched after Khan threatened to "take action" against the head of police and a female magistrate during a speech in Islamabad. The action might exacerbate tensions between Khan and the coalition administration.[3]
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Anthony Fauci Announces Retirement: On Tuesday, August 22, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the senior official in charge of infectious diseases in the United States, announced his retirement in December after 54 years of public service. The veteran immunologist has advised seven US presidents, starting with Republican Ronald Reagan. His years saw the CDC focus on emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Zika, monkeypox, and COVID-19.[4]
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Zelenskiy Vows To Take Crimea Back: On Tuesday, August 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pledged that Ukraine would reclaim its occupied peninsula of Crimea from Russia when the time comes, adding that Kyiv will not discuss it with other countries first. He made the remarks at a news conference in Kyiv following a large turnout of foreign leaders and international organizations, most of whom participated via video forum sponsored by Ukraine centered on the peninsula.[5]
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Court Suspends Thailand Prime Minister: On Wednesday, August 24, Thailand's constitutional court suspended Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha from official responsibilities after a five to four ruling in favor of his suspension. The biggest opposition party launched a petition to overturn his legally mandated term restriction of eight years. Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister, is expected to act as interim leader until the court's ultimate decision.[6]
Sources: [1] CNN [2] Reuters [3] CNN [4] Reuters [5] Reuters [6] The Guardian
Earth & Space
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Flood-Drought Paradox Hit US Region: On Wednesday, August 24, a flood induced by a slow-moving storm dumped record quantities of rain, resulting in high water levels in the US's southwest. Dallas County declared a disaster when the area received an entire summer season's worth of rain in a single day. The situation created a "duality in the influence of climate change," as climate specialists say the area still suffers from catastrophic drought conditions and water shortages despite the storm.[1]
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James Webb Captures Carbon Dioxide On Distant Planet: On Thursday, August 24, the James Web telescope photographed carbon dioxide gas on planet WASP-39b, an exoplanet outside our solar system. Water vapor, sodium, and potassium were found in the planet's atmosphere after the Hubble space telescope discovered it in 2011. There were also clues that carbon dioxide may be there. NASA's examination of the planet and others like it will aid in understanding its evolutionary process over time.[2]
Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] CNN
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