Many countries urge citizens to leave Lebanon
Due to concerns about a new conflict in Lebanon, several countries such as Saudi Arabia, Canada, Jordan, the United States, and the United Kingdom have urgently requested their citizens to leave the country.
The tense situation between Israel and armed groups linked to Iran, including Hezbollah, has escalated after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel. France also warned citizens to avoid travel and leave Lebanon due to unstable security. Some Western airlines have suspended flights to Lebanon.
Ukraine deploys US-funded F-16 fighter jets
On August 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the deployment of US-made F-16 fighter jets to enhance air defense and combat capabilities.
Zelensky stated that Ukrainian pilots have begun using F-16s, although the number of pilots and jets remains limited. General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, emphasized that F-16s will help shoot down many Russian missiles and save lives. Russia has declared that it will target F-16 bases, posing an additional challenge to Ukraine.
Hamas appoints new leader
On August 6, Hamas appointed Yahya Sinwar, who was behind the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, as its new leader. Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza since 2017, is known for his strategic military role.
He will replace former leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated last week. Sinwar's appointment occurs as the Middle East faces a heightened risk of conflict escalation, with Iranian-backed armed groups potentially attacking Israel in retaliation. Sinwar is currently hiding in Gaza to avoid Israeli pursuit.
Russia sees influx of luxury Western brands returning
Luxury Western brands are rushing to return to Russia. Hugo Boss, which left in 2022 due to sanctions, plans to reopen 19 stores in August or September under the new name "Link Fashion."
Other brands like Christian Dior, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks are also preparing to resume operations in Russia, registering new trademarks. This move indicates an increase in international brands seeking to quickly return to the Russian market, despite the tense political climate.
Hezbollah prepares to attack Israel
Hezbollah may attack Israel in retaliation for the assassination of military commander Fuad Shukr. On August 7, CNN cited intelligence sources as saying that Hezbollah is accelerating its attack plan, which could be implemented within days.
Although Iran is still considering a response, Hezbollah may act without full coordination with Iran. These attacks are expected to be carried out without prior warning, further straining the regional situation. The international community is closely monitoring this development.
China's economy suffers heavily from floods
Last month, China suffered an economic loss of 76.9 billion yuan (10.1 billion USD) due to floods, nearly double the figure from the same period last year. Over 26 million people were affected, with 1.1 million forced to relocate and 328 people killed or missing.
The disaster destroyed 12,000 homes and severely damaged 2.42 million hectares of farmland, severely impacting agricultural production, particularly in Henan Province. This is the highest level of damage since 2021.
Plane crashes in Brazil, all 61 people on board killed
On August 9, a passenger plane crashed into a residential area in Vinhedo, São Paulo, Brazil, killing all 61 people on board. The ATR 72 aircraft of Voepass, departing from Cascavel, crashed while en route to Guarulhos International Airport.
This is the deadliest aviation accident in Brazil since January 2023. Brazilian police have launched an investigation and transferred the bodies to a morgue for identification. The aircraft's manufacturer, ATR, is also participating in the investigation into the cause of the accident.
