News Wire | August 3, 2022 Archive
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Chinese Military Drills Circling Taiwan Set Up a Potential Standoff
By Paul Mozur & Amy Chang Chien | The New York Times
Although much attention has been on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the real potential for a military showdown comes now that she has left.
More from WPR: Biden’s Taiwan ‘Gaffe’ Just Said the Quiet Part Out Loud
White House Scrambles to Avoid Crisis Amid Pelosi Visit to Taiwan
By Yasmeen Abutaleb & Lily Kuo | The Washington Post (free)
The White House worked urgently to deescalate tensions with China as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met Wednesday with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and other officials during a high-profile visit to the self-governing island against the administration’s wishes, hoping to head off a geopolitical crisis amid threats and military maneuvers by Beijing.
Taliban Facing Backlash After U.S. Drone Strike Against Al-Qaida Leader
By Pamela Constable | The Washington Post
The U.S. drone strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri here early Sunday also struck a humiliating blow against the Taliban regime, which had secretly hosted the aging extremist in the heart of the Afghan capital for months but failed to keep him safe.
More from WPR: Zawahiri’s Killing Could Make Life Under the Taliban Even Worse
U.S. Hits Russian Oligarchs and Companies With New Sanctions
The New York Times
The latest round of economic punishments are aimed at business figures close to the Kremlin, technology institutions with ties to the military and a woman believed to be President Vladimir Putin’s romantic partner.
Mexico’s Attorney General Investigating Ex-President
By María Verza | Associated Press (free)
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office said Tuesday that it has opened several lines of investigation against former President Enrique Pena Nieto, several weeks after the country’s anti-money laundering agency accused the former leader of handling millions of dollars in possibly illegal funds.
Kuwait Formally Dissolves Parliament, Delays Budget Approval Until After Elections
Reuters
Kuwait formally dissolved parliament in a decree issued Tuesday, state news agency KUNA said, as the Gulf Arab state’s crown prince moved to resolve a standoff between the government and elected parliament that has hindered fiscal reform.
More from WPR: Kuwait’s Political Gridlock Is Taking a Toll
A Wild-Card Candidate in Kenya Is Sparking an African Debate About Weed
By Rachel Chason & Rael Ombuor | The Washington Post
Pro-pot candidate George Wajackoyah is lighting up Kenya’s presidential campaign.
Nicaragua’s Government Shutters Six Church Radio Stations
By Gabriela Selser | Associated Press (free)
Nicaraguan authorities ordered the closure of six radio stations belonging to the Roman Catholic Church on Monday and surrounded one with riot police, church officials said.
More from WPR: Ortega’s Sham Trials Mark Another Step Toward Dictatorship
U.S. Seeks Possession of Venezuelan 747 Grounded in Argentina
By Daniel Politi & Eric Tucker | Associated Press (free)
The U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday it is seeking possession of a Venezuelan cargo jet that has been grounded in Argentina since early June because it was previously owned by an Iranian airline that allegedly has ties to terror groups.
Burkina Faso Army Admits to Killing Civilians in Air Raid
Reuters (free)
Burkina Faso’s army has said it accidentally killed civilians during a military operation in the country’s southeast earlier this week.
More from WPR: Burkina Faso’s Post-Coup Transition Could Be a Road to Nowhere
Congo Expels U.N. Peacekeeping Mission Spokesman After Protests
Reuters
Democratic Republic of Congo has asked the spokesman of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, to leave the country, blaming him for stoking tensions that led to deadly protests last week.
Somalia Names Former Al-Shabab Deputy a Government Minister
By Omar Faruk | Associated Press (free)
A former deputy leader of the al-Shabab extremist group has been named a government minister by Somalia’s new administration in what some call a chance to persuade fighters to denounce violence.
Clashes Erupt in Bolivia Capital Between Police and Coca Farmers
AFP (free)
Clashes broke out Tuesday in the Bolivian capital La Paz between police and coca leaf producers in a dispute over control of the coveted commercialization of the plant.
Montenegro Signs Long-Disputed Contract With Serbian Orthodox Church
Reuters
Montenegro’s government signed a contract regulating its ties with the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church on Wednesday, saying it would help heal deep divisions between pro-European Union parties and backers of closer relations with Serbia and Russia.
Greek Intelligence Service Admits Spying on Journalist
By George Georgiopoulos | Reuters
The head of Greek intelligence told a parliamentary committee his agency had spied on a journalist, two sources present said, in a disclosure that coincides with growing pressure on the government to shed light on the use of surveillance malware.
Italy Parliament Approves Competition Bill to Unlock European Funds
Reuters
The Italian parliament has given its final approval to a highly contested bill to promote competition in product and services markets, required to help secure a new tranche worth $19.4 billion of post-pandemic European funds.
ASEAN to Rethink Peace Plan If Myanmar Executes More Prisoners
Reuters
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be forced to reconsider a peace plan agreed with Myanmar if the country’s military rulers execute more prisoners, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday.
More from WPR: Myanmar’s Junta Still Has Nothing to Fear From ASEAN
Sri Lanka to Restart IMF Bailout Talks, President Calls for Unity Government
By Uditha Jayasinghe | Reuters
Sri Lanka will restart bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund in August, its new president said Wednesday, while calling on lawmakers to form an all-party government to resolve a crippling economic crisis.
More from WPR: Youth Will Pay the Cost of Global Inaction on Sri Lanka’s Crisis
U.N. Says Yemen’s Warring Sides Agree to Renew Existing Truce
By Samy Magdy & Ahmed Al-Haj | Associated Press (free)
The United Nations said Yemen’s warring parties agreed Tuesday to renew an existing truce for two more months after concerted international efforts.
More from WPR: Yemen’s Cease-fire Is Challenging Popular Notions of How Wars End
Guatemala Arrests Migrant Smugglers Wanted by the U.S.
By Sonia Pérez D. | Associated Press (free)
At dawn, police and federal agents with cover from helicopters flying overhead raided a large ranch nestled among the mountains of northern Guatemala, not far from the border with Mexico.
Lebanon Clears Ship Ukraine Says Is Carrying Stolen Grain
By Bassem Mroue | Associated Press (free)
Lebanon’s prosecutor general decided a Syrian ship allegedly carrying Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia may leave a port in the country’s north, officials said Tuesday. The move came after an investigation showed the vessel wasn’t carrying stolen goods.
More from WPR: The Global Food System Was Already Unsustainable Before the War in Ukraine
China Is Stepping Up Its Information War on Taiwan
By A.A. Bastian | Foreign Policy
Pelosi’s visit is another spur for Beijing’s disinformation campaign.
Keep reading for free
Already a subscriber? Log in here .