The world last week: The guns have not stopped

The brutal murder of an American journalist, ongoing fighting in Palestine, Israel and Ukraine, and a “glimmer of hope” for Ebola patients are among the notable news stories of the past week…

1. In recent days, the whole world has been shocked when the Islamic State (IS) organization continuously issued provocative and warning messages aimed at the West.

On August 19, IS insurgents in Iraq released a video online showing the beheading of American journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped in Syria nearly two years ago. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed the authenticity of the video, titled “A Message to America.”

American journalist James Foley (left) before being beheaded. Photo: hollywoodlife.com

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the killing a heinous crime. Germany said it was ready to send weapons to Iraq to support Kurdish security forces fighting IS. France and Britain will also hold emergency talks to discuss how to deal with IS.

The above move by IS not only shows the level of brutality of this rebel group but also shows an existential threat to the security situation of Iraq as well as the Middle East region and the whole world.

Scene of an Israeli airstrike. Photo: nytimes.com

Since July 8, fighting between Israel and Hamas has claimed the lives of at least 2,020 Palestinians and 67 Israelis.

After the attack on the evening of August 19, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades declared that Israel “opened the gates to hell.” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the country’s military campaign in Gaza could continue until Israeli citizens are safe and secure.

3. The war continues to escalate fiercely in Ukraine. On August 20, another Su-25 fighter jet of the Ukrainian army was shot down by opposition forces in the area near Lugansk, where government forces claimed to have gained control of several more districts in the past few days.

The Ukrainian army carries out a full-scale "final battle" operation in the East of the country. Photo: EPA

On the same day, Ukrainian forces opened fire on the city center of Donetsk, the main stronghold of the opposition forces in eastern Ukraine. This is part of a comprehensive campaign that the Ukrainian army calls the "final battle" to defeat the armed forces demanding federalization that are occupying many provinces and cities in the east of the country. Fierce fighting in Donetsk left at least 34 civilians dead and 29 others injured within 24 hours.

According to figures released by the United Nations on August 20, at least 415,800 people in eastern Ukraine have had to leave their homes because of the fighting. About 190,000 people have taken refuge in other parts of the country, while 197,400 have fled to Russia, Poland and Belarus.

4. With 191/197 votes in favor, Thai Army Commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha, 60, was elected by the Thai National Assembly on the morning of August 21 as the country's interim prime minister. The parliament's choice is expected to be approved by King Bhumibol Adulyadej soon. The appointment of Mr. Prayuth as Prime Minister will pave the way for the formation of the Thai interim government in the coming weeks.

Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha was elected as the country's interim prime minister. Photo: Getty Images

5. Unrest continues in the city of Ferguson after black youth Michael Brown was shot dead by police on August 9, even though police confirmed Brown was a suspect in a robbery.

On August 19, US police shot and killed a man carrying a knife near Ferguson. Meanwhile, in Ferguson, a predominantly black city, protesters continued to take to the streets, throwing rocks, petrol bombs, and even shooting at police. In a new wave of violence, 6 people were injured and 78 were arrested. Police responded with tear gas.

6. The World Health Organization said on August 20 that the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has risen to at least 1,350. The death toll from Ebola is rising fastest in Liberia, with at least 576 people dead.

On August 19, Liberian Information Minister Lewis Brown said that eight health workers, including two doctors, who used the experimental drug ZMapp from the United States began to respond to this treatment. This is considered a good sign in the fight against the disease caused by the Ebola virus.

Armored tanks fire at the Higashifuji training ground in Gotemba city, west of Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Reuters

7. Japan demonstrated its ability to defend its islands with firepower during its annual large-scale military exercise on August 19 at the foot of Mount Fuji. The live-fire exercise involved 2,300 soldiers, 20 aircraft, 80 tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment. Officials said the exercise demonstrated a new defense policy that emphasizes island defense.

Both Japan and China are pressing their claims to a string of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

8. On August 22, Malaysia held a national funeral to commemorate the victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disaster that crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17. The bodies of 20 Malaysian victims arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Another memorial service will be held when the second flight carrying the victims' remains arrives in Malaysia on August 24. To date, 30 of the 43 Malaysian victims of this tragedy have been identified.

According to QĐND