Portal:Current events/2018 August 17

August 17, 2018 (2018-08-17) (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• 2018 Gaza border protests
  • Around 20,000 Palestinians protest near the Israel–Gaza barrier. Medical sources say that Israel Defense Forces killed two people and wounded at least 270 others, 50 of them with live bullets. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

• Accidents and incidents involving commercial aircraft
  • A Boeing 737 skids off a runway at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines, while landing in a downpour. All aboard are unharmed. (Fox News)

International relations

• United States foreign policy in the Middle East, Syrian Civil War
  • The U.S. Department of State announces that it will redirect approximately US$230 million in stabilization funds for Syria to "other key foreign policy priorities." Career Ambassador James Jeffrey is appointed as "special representative for Syrian engagement". (AP via Chron)

Law and crime

• A high court in İzmir, Turkey, rejects an appeal to release U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson. (USA Today)
• 77 people accused of petty crimes such as pickpocketing or using drugs are shot dead by Indonesian authorities in the lead-up the 2018 Asian Games, reports Amnesty International. The rights group condemns the deaths, calling for an investigation. (BBC)

Politics and elections

• Pakistani general election, 2018
  • Imran Khan, the chairman of the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, is elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. (Al Jazeera)

Sports

• U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present)
  • ESPN announces it will not air the "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Monday Night Football games. (Sporting News)

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August 2018

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