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World news — August 20, 2026 - Page 2

World publications published on August 20, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive. Page 2 of 5.

115 publications

  1. WorldMiddle EastChina

    Russian Pensioner Fined for Shooting at Drones

    A pensioner from the Volgograd region was fined 40,000 rubles and had his hunting rifle confiscated after attempting to shoot down drones flying over his courtyard. The man, identified as Nikolai Mukhin, reported the incident to emergency services and waited for the police. He was found guilty of a 'serious violation' that could have resulted in harm to citizens. This is likely the first such decision in Russia.
    44 sourcesSee all sources
  2. WorldLawJudiciaryMiddle East

    US Unsuccessful in Achieving Any of Its 12 Objectives Against Iran

    Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a senior Iranian military official, has stated that the US has failed to achieve any of its 12 announced objectives against Iran. These objectives included capturing Khark Island, advancing into Iranian territory, and opening the Strait of Hormuz. Despite heavy bombardments and repeated announcements of new objectives every five or six days, the US has not been successful in any of its stated goals.
    6 sourcesSee all sources
  3. WorldMiddle East

    Cathay Pacific to Launch Direct Flights Between Hong Kong and Almaty in January 2023

    Cathay Pacific Airways will commence direct passenger flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, starting January 9, 2023. The three-times-weekly service will operate every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, subject to regulatory approval. This will be Cathay Pacific's first Central Asian destination and the only non-stop service between the two cities.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  5. WorldEurope

    Europe's Gas Storage Facilities at Risk of Depletion by April 2027

    Europe's gas storage facilities are at risk of being completely depleted by April 2027, according to a report by Handelsblatt. The EU needs to receive 142 LNG tankers in the next two and a half months to fill the UGS to the target 80%. Currently, gas storage facilities are filled to less than 62%, far below the winter target of 80%. If the pace of purchases remains unchanged, storage facilities will be only 69% full by November 1, risking depletion by April when Europe’s heating season ends.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  6. WorldLawPeaceMiddle East

    North Korea Unmoved by Trump's Reduction of Military Exercises

    North Korea has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea as insignificant. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, stated that the reduction does not change the provocative nature of the exercises and that North Korea is not interested in them. She also denied any recent communication between Kim Jong-un and Trump.
    33 sourcesSee all sources
  7. WorldAsiaEducationEdtech

    McDonald's Malaysia Vocational Academy Graduates Nearly 5,500 Since 2018

    McDonald's Malaysia Academy has produced nearly 5,500 graduates in food service and hospitality since 2018, with about 80% of graduates continuing with McDonald's and over 250 progressing to supervisory and management roles. The academy combines industry-based training with skill certification to build competencies, confidence, and career paths for young people.
    2 sourcesSee all sources
  9. WorldMiddle EastBudgetHardware

    Putin Orders Increase in Digital Technologies in Social Sphere

    Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a significant increase in the use of modern technologies in the social sphere, particularly robotization and AI. He highlighted Moscow as a prime example of digital implementation. Putin also demanded that ministers cooperate with regions and extended budget loan repayment terms to save regions around 100 billion rubles.
    8 sourcesSee all sources
  10. WorldMiddle EastChinaConflict

    Black Sea Grain Exports Halted by Russia-Ukraine Conflict

    The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to a near halt in grain exports via the Black Sea, with more than 97% of export capacity lost. This includes a significant reduction in wheat exports, which has driven up global prices. Ukraine, which relies heavily on sea exports for its grain, is struggling to find alternative routes, while Russia is expected to redirect exports to other ports. The situation has raised concerns about global food security and inflation.
    20 sourcesSee all sources
  11. WorldMiddle East

    Shakira and Christina Aguilera's Shows in Abu Dhabi Canceled Amid Middle East War

    The organizers of two festivals in Abu Dhabi, where the participation of Colombian star Shakira and American singer Christina Aguilera was scheduled, announced their cancellation amidst the Middle East war and security tensions affecting the emirate. The United Arab Emirates continues to be one of the main targets of Tehran's retaliation since the start of the US-Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28. The Gulf country claims to have been hit by more than 3,000 missiles and drones, some of which hit infrastructure, although most were intercepted. While the pace of attacks has significantly decreased in recent months, the Emirati Ministry of Defense reported on Tuesday that Iran had launched two ballistic missiles targeting 'maritime navigation,' which eventually fell into the sea. In this context, the organizers of the Offlimits festival, where Shakira was scheduled to perform on November 21, announced the cancellation of the event on Tuesday and assured that the cost of tickets would be refunded. Meanwhile, Ticketmaster, the platform responsible for selling tickets for Christina Aguilera's concert, scheduled for September 25, also confirmed the cancellation of the show, without announcing a new date.
    15 sourcesSee all sources
  15. WorldMiddle East

    Kazakhstan Proposes International Horse Meat Standard

    Kazakhstan has proposed the development of an international standard for horse meat products. The initiative was presented at a forum in Astana. Currently, there is no single international document for horse meat, which can lead to differences in requirements and difficulties in exports. The future standard may include traditional Kazakh products such as kazy, shuzuk, jal, jaya, as well as smoked and sausage products. Kazakhstan is ready to lead an international working group to prepare the draft standard and discuss it with other horse meat producing countries.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  20. WorldMiddle EastEarthPublic Health

    Earthquakes Strike Kyrgyzstan and China

    Kazakhstani seismologists registered two earthquakes in China overnight on August 19, with magnitudes of 5.8 and 4.5. On August 20, an earthquake with a magnitude of about 4 on the MSK-64 scale occurred in Kyrgyzstan, with its epicenter located 15 kilometers northwest of the village of Kok-Jar. Chinese seismologists also recorded an earthquake in Kazakhstan on August 20, with a magnitude of 5.1.
    4 sourcesSee all sources
  21. WorldLawRegulatorsMiddle East

    Belarus Sends Poor Harvest Workers to Military Training on Ukraine Border

    The Belarusian Defense Ministry has sent around 500 agricultural workers, deemed dishonest or poor performers during the harvest season, to military training on the border with Ukraine. The conscripts, including specialists and mechanics, are undergoing tactical training, psychological obstacle courses, and armored vehicle evacuation exercises. This move follows an order by President Alexander Lukashenko, despite no such punishment norm existing in Belarusian laws.
    6 sourcesSee all sources
  23. WorldAsiaMiddle East

    Cyprus Presents Major Pension Reform Framework

    The President of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, presented the biggest and most substantial reform of the pension system since 1980 to social partners. The reform aims to strengthen pensions, support low-income pensioners, and ensure the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund. Key aspects include more dignified pensions, a sustainable Social Insurance Fund, and support for low-income pensioners. The reform is part of the government's broader effort to change Cyprus based on its social liberalism framework.
    8 sourcesSee all sources
  24. WorldAsia

    Cuttack CMC Seizes 70 Quintals of Adulterated Paneer

    Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) officials in Odisha seized around 70 quintals of adulterated paneer during a food safety inspection drive in the Link Road area. The paneer was found to contain starch, which turned the iodine test black, indicating adulteration. The seized paneer was intended for use in making sweets for upcoming festivals like Rakhi. The CMC health officer and food safety officer confirmed the seizure and stated that samples were sent to the laboratory for further testing.
    6 sourcesSee all sources