A WEEK IN BRIEF
A Week in Brief: Volume XVI
A Week in Brief: Sunday, 31 July to Saturday, 6 August 2022
Saturday, 6 August 2022…
Armed Conflicts and Attacks…
Israel, for a second day in a row, launches airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. Five people are reported killed. Several other individuals were injured during the attack. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Nineteen Palestinian Islamic Jihad members are arrested.
Disasters and Accidents…
Twelve people, on Saturday, 6 August 2022, are killed in a bus crash. At least 32 other individuals were injured. The crash occurred in Podvorec, Croatia.
The bus was carrying pilgrims from Poland to Medjugorje when the crashed happened. Medjugorje is situated in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Friday, 5 August 2022…
Armed Conflicts and Attacks…
Southern Ukraine campaign, in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, targetted the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The shelling caused damage to a nitrogen-oxygen unit and a high-voltage power line.
Business and Economy…
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has not come without significant economic impacts. Russian President Vladimir Putin, before sending his forces into Ukraine, failed to recognise the international community wouldn’t be onboard with his invasion.
Putin, on Friday, 5 August 2022, signed a decree effectively banning investors from “unfriendly countries” from selling their assets in Russian banks. Further to banks, not that anyone would be surprised, the decree also covers strategic entities, energy, and commodity projects. The decree, unless Putin changes his mind, will be in effect until Saturday, 31 Dec. 2022.
Disasters and Accidents…
A Pennsylvania residential fire, on Friday, 5 August 2022, was reported to have killed ten Nescopeck residents. The ten people included three children.
Thursday, 4 August 2022…
Armed Conflicts and Attacks…
The Battle of Donbas, according to regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko, saw Russian forces strike a bus stop in Toretsk. Eight civilians, including three children, were killed during the attack. A further four individuals were injured.
Health and Environment…
The Monkeypox Outbreak is becoming a significant problem in the United States. The Biden administration, on Thursday, 4 August 2022, declares the ongoing outbreak a public health emergency.
The United States Food and Drug Administration, the same day, permitted the use of Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos vaccine in children. The use of the drug is on a case-by-case basis.
International Relations…
China, continuing military exercises, launched missiles off the coast of Taiwan. The military exercises were nothing more than a response to Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. Speaker of the House, visiting Taiwan.
Wednesday, 3 August 2022…
Armed Conflicts and Attacks…
Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis, on Wednesday, 3 August 2022, was renewed clashes in the much-disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region between the two countries. At least three soldiers are reported dead and a further fourteen individuals were injured.
International Relations…
China, conducting military exercises, has warned airlines to avoid areas near Taiwan. The military exercises curiously coincide with a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Law and Crime…
Brittney Griner, the American basketball player, was sentenced on Wednesday, 3 August 2022 to nine years in prison by a Russian court. The basketball player was found of transporting cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia.
Tuesday, 2 August 2022…
Armed Conflicts and Attacks…
Russian shelling, on Tuesday, 2 August 2022, was reported to have taken place near Kherson Oblast. The shelling, according to Ukraine’s Operational Command South, killed three people whilst they were attempting to evacuate the area in a minibus.
Disasters and Accidents…
A suspected gas leak sees at least fifty-three people injured. The incident, on Tuesday, 2 August 2022, occurred in Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam, situated in Andhra Pradesh, is the second-largest city on the east coast of India.
Health and Environment…
The Philippines, according to the country’s Department of Health, reported on Tuesday, 2 August 2022 their first two cases of the Omicron BA.2.75 COVID-19 variant. Two individuals, residents of Western Visayas, were reported to have contracted the variant.
Monday, 1 August 2022…
Business and Economy…
The Razoni, a Sierra Leonean-flagged ship, is the first vessel with Ukrainian grain to leave the port of Odesa after an agreement signed with Russia. The ship is bound for Lebanon.
Disasters and Accidents…
Significant flooding in both Kentucky and Virginia have seen the death toll climb to thirty-five people with thirty-seven other individuals missing.
Meanwhile, elsewhere within the United States, more than two million people are under red flag warnings. Wildfires are spreading in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
Politics and Elections…
Citizens of the Cook Islands, on Monday, 1 August 2022, vote for a new parliament.
Sunday, 31 July 2022…
Armed Conflicts and Attacks…
Much back and forth between Russia and Ukraine has unfolded over the past few days. Ukrainian forces, targetting Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, have been fighting back against the invading aggressors. At least five people, according to Sevastopol’s mayor, were injured during a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s fleet headquarters.
“Russia-Ukraine war: drone hits Russia’s Black Sea fleet HQ; Zelenskiy urges civilians to leave Donetsk,” tweeted the Guardian News.
“Officials say a drone-borne explosive device has detonated at the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, injuring six people,” tweeted The Associated Press. “The explosion caused the cancellation of observances of Russia’s Navy Day holiday.”
Disasters and Accidents…
Recent flooding in Kentucky sees death toll increase to at least 26 individuals. Heavy rainfall warnings are issued for affected areas as Governor Andy Beshear. Beshear has said as many as 37 people remain unaccounted for.
“In more tough news for the commonwealth this morning, our death toll has risen to 26 lost — and that number will increase. There is widespread damage with many families displaced and more rain expected throughout the next day,” tweeted Governor Andy Beshear.
“The stories coming out of eastern Kentucky’s floods are just devastating. Twenty-six people have lost their lives, with more missing. Whole houses, even a church, have been swept away,” tweeted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Sports…
England, in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final, defeats Germany 2–1. The win, since the 1966 FIFA World Cup, gives England its first major football championship.
“Jubilant scenes after England’s Chloe Kelly scores the winning goal during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium,” tweeted Danny Lawson.