China launches military drills in ‘stern warning’ to Taiwan after US visit

Chinese People's Liberation Army exercises were expected following Taiwan Vice President William Lai's stopover in US.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/19/china-launches-military-drills-in-stern-warning-to-taiwan-after-us-visit

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 542

As the war enters its 542nd day, these are the main developments.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/19/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-542

United Nations statistics underscore ‘extreme brutality’ of Haiti’s gangs

In a press briefing, the UN tallied 2,439 deaths since January, with 5,000 people displaced since last weekend.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/19/united-nations-statistics-underscore-extreme-brutality-of-haitis-gangs

Vietnam’s ‘ballroom’ culture: A safe space to celebrate transgender people

Latex, sequins and glitter dazzled as competitors took to the catwalk for fiery dance-offs at Saigon's first 'ballroom'.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/18/vietnams-ballroom-culture-a-safe-space-to-celebrate-transgender-people

Argentina’s populist candidate Javier Milei holds economic talk with IMF

Milei assured the International Monetary Fund that Argentina would not default on its debts if he is elected, aide says.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/18/argentinas-populist-candidate-javier-milei-holds-economic-talk-with-imf

US authorities investigate threats to grand jury after Trump indictment

Threats reported after personal data of 23 jurors and three alternates, including images and addresses, posted online.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/18/us-authorities-investigate-threats-to-grand-jury-after-trump-indictment

Ukraine drone attack damages building in central Moscow: Russian officials

Moscow's mayor says Ukrainian drone shot down by air defence and debris falls on city's Expo Center causing some damage.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/18/ukraine-drone-attack-damages-building-in-central-moscow-russian-officials

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 541

As the war enters its 541st day, these are the main developments.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/18/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-541

‘Meaningful work’: Volunteers clean Ho Chi Minh City’s fetid canals by hand

Vietnam's largest city is plagued by rubbish but eager young volunteers are doing their bit to clean up the environment.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/17/meaningful-work-volunteers-clean-ho-chi-minh-citys-fetid-canals-by-hand

Ecuador presidential candidates make final push to woo voters

Ahead of vote on Sunday, presidential hopefuls are promising improved security in country struggling with surging crime.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/17/ecuador-presidential-candidates-make-final-push-to-woo-voters

Huge wildfire forces evacuation of Canada’s Northwest Territories capital

Residents of Northwest Territories capital, Yellowknife, told to evacuate city by noon on Friday as wildfire approaches.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/17/huge-wildfire-forces-evacuation-of-canadas-northwest-territories-capital

Manchester City score victory over Sevilla to win first UEFA Super Cup

Manchester City beat Sevilla in a 5-4 penalty shootout following game that ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation time.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/17/manchester-city-score-victory-over-sevilla-to-win-first-uefa-super-cup

Nicaragua seizes Catholic university accused of being ‘centre of terrorism’

Critics have accused the government of President Daniel Ortega of continuing its attacks on education and religion.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/17/nicaragua-seizes-catholic-university-accused-of-being-centre-of-terrorism

Progressive Arevalo leads in poll ahead of Guatemala presidential election

A survey from CID Gallup shows Bernardo Arevalo surging ahead of conservative rival Sandra Torres in lead-up to vote.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/16/progressive-arevalo-leads-in-poll-ahead-of-guatemala-presidential-election

US appeals court upholds limits on access to abortion pill mifepristone

The latest ruling over mifepristone's FDA approval is likely to send the pill's fate to the US Supreme Court.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/16/us-appeals-court-upholds-limits-on-access-to-abortion-pill-mifepristone

Scientists celebrate as pig kidney continues to function in human body

Surgeons hope that cross-species organ transplants could eventually help save lives of human patients.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/16/scientists-celebrate-as-pig-kidney-continues-to-function-in-human-body

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 539

These are the main developments as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its 539th day.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/16/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-539

N Korea says US soldier crossed border seeking refuge from racism

Travis King slipped away while on a tourist tour around the Joint Security Area that separates North, South Korea.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/16/n-korea-says-us-soldier-crossed-border-seeking-refuge-from-racism

Human rights commission denounces murder of third politician in Ecuador

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights urges solutions to the political violence unfolding before the elections.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/16/human-rights-commission-denounces-murder-of-third-politician-in-ecuador

North Korea protests UN Security Council meeting on human rights record

The US says its plan to hold a meeting on rights abuses will move forward despite protests from North Korea and China.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/15/north-korea-protests-un-security-council-meeting-on-human-rights-record

‘Indescribable’: Stories of loss emerge from devastating Hawaii fires

Death toll on Maui island approaches 100, with US President Joe Biden saying he will visit Hawaii 'as soon as' possible.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/15/indescribable-stories-of-loss-emerge-from-devastating-hawaii-fires