Chinese court sentences founder of troubled property developer Evergrande to life in prisonThe decision marks a milestone in Evergrande’s saga after it defaulted on more than $300 billion in liabilities when Chinese authorities cracked down on excessive borrowing in the real estate industry in 2020. That triggered a crunch among many developers and brought on a downturn in the property market that has weighed on the broader economy ever since.
https://apnews.com/article/china-evergrande-founder-real-estate-fraud-5573868904b3ced0c5c9b0314c56ae5aPhilippines army, PNP attempt to block relief distribution in Camarines Norte The groups launched the RDO to deliver food and aid to residents of Brgy. Lukbanan who continue to suffer the effects of Super El Niño. For several days, members of The Good Samaritan and BMDR have been subjected to surveillance, intimidation and illegal photography. Despite this, the groups remained resolute in delivering service to communities in need.
https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/afp-pnp-attempt-to-block-relief-distribution-in-camarines-norte/Myanmar military chief visits Bangkok as diplomatic offensive continuesMin Aung Hlaing, who led the coup, was sworn in as president of Myanmar in April, handing the office of military leader to Ye Win Oo. Thai military chief Ukris Boontanondha met Oo on Thursday at a Bangkok hotel. The talks between them focused on cooperation on the nation’s 2,400km (1,500-mile) border, according to Bangkok.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/20/myanmar-military-chief-visits-bangkok-as-diplomatic-offensive-continueshttps://archive.ph/jvwWeAustralia ‘outraged’ over Israeli decision not to open criminal probe into killing of Gaza aid worker According to Ms Wong, drone audio from the attack had still not been handed over despite requests from the Australian government. The Frankcom decision contrasts with the IDF’s announcement that it would carry out a criminal investigation into the killing by Israeli forces of five year old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab and six of her relatives in Gaza in 2024.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/australia-outraged-over-israeli-decision-not-open-criminal-probe-killing-gaza-aid-workerJury Refuses to Convict Palestine Action ActivistsJurors deliberated for more than 37 hours but were unable to reach verdicts for seven of the eight defendants: Madeleine Norman, Hannah Davidson, Teuta Hoxha, Ola Aleksandra Herbich, Ian Sanders, William Plastow and Yulia Brigadirova. They may now face a retrial.
https://novaramedia.com/2026/08/20/jury-refuses-to-convict-palestine-action-activists/Turkey says it will not fall into Israeli 'trap' in Syria, denies military presence in air base"We are experienced enough not to fall into the trap of figures like (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, who aim to undermine peace and stability in our region," said Burhanettin Duran, the Turkish presidency's director of communications. After the site was struck, causing damage to its runways, reports said that a Turkish delegation had been at the site just hours earlier, but Turkey has denied a military visit to the location.
https://www.newarab.com/news/turkey-says-it-will-not-fall-israeli-trap-syria ‘We are starving’: Palestinians besieged by settlers in West Bank homes run out of food Israeli soldiers arrived last week, ostensibly to remove the settlers, but have since effectively contributed to the siege by blocking food deliveries to the families. “The municipal council tried to bring us food, but the soldiers prevented them, and the food was left outside,” Hassan told Middle East Eye. “Unicef staff were able to deliver some food to us a few days ago, and now it’s starting to spoil.”
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/we-are-starving-palestinians-besieged-settlers-west-bank-homes-run-out-foodNew opposition group plans protest in Tunisia after extreme heat-driven power and water cutsThe umbrella initiative, launched in May, has been calling for an end to what it describes as government failure and injustice in the country that was the birthplace of the Arab Spring pro-democracy uprisings. Among grievances are repeated cuts to Tunisia's utility supplies, chronic shortages of essential medicines, rising living costs and unemployment.
https://www.newarab.com/news/new-opposition-group-plans-protest-tunisia-after-extreme-heat-driven-power-and-water-cutsMore than 100 dead after goldmine collapses in Central African RepublicA statement by a local public prosecutor said many others were trapped under the deluge. It did not mention the number of fatalities. However, Gervais Ganagoroh, a Red Cross volunteer involved in the relief effort, told the Associated Press news agency on Wednesday that more than 100 bodies had been recovered from the collapse and a senior official at a local mining association confirmed that number to Reuters.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/20/gold-mine-collapse-deadly-landslide-central-african-republicStrike by Egyptian textile workersHundreds of workers at Misr El Amria Spinning and Weaving Company, Egypt’s largest textile conglomerate company, were locked-out by management on August 9. Rejecting management claims of a shutdown for “routine maintenance, inventory, and reviews,” workers have denounced a move to break their strike, ongoing since July 28, over a refusal to honour a promised pay increase.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/08/17/sgdp-a17.htmlImpatient savers are hindering Milei’s lending push in ArgentinaThe mismatch is becoming a broader obstacle to Milei’s recovery as the government seeks to stimulate lending to kickstart more economic activity and hiring. The Central Bank is injecting more liquidity into Argentina’s financial system in an effort to keep rates low after a surge of borrowing costs last year to contain a peso sell-off at the time.
https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/economy/impatient-savers-are-hindering-mileis-lending-push-in-argentina.phtmlhttps://archive.ph/Qp4vcRecord 742 Disappearances Expose Absent State in EcuadorThe figure far exceeds the records of previous years. In 2025, authorities registered 405 cases, an increase of 83.21% compared with the preceding year. In 2024, the country reported 229 disappearances, which represented a 224% rise. These new statistics confirm a growing trend that has turned forced disappearances into one of Ecuador’s most acute social emergencies.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/record-742-disappearances-ecuador/