Portal:Current events/2012 August 21
August 21, 2012 (Tuesday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Syrian civil war:
- Russia sends a warning in reaction to what it perceives as threats by the United States, made yesterday. Russia still proposes to help negotiate a deadline to stop violence. (Reuters) (RIA Novosti)
- The Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) threatens to attack Turkey if Turkey continues its policy regarding Syria. (Hürriyet Daily News)
- The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the death of journalist Mika Yamamoto, who was shot and killed while reporting on fighting in the northwestern city of Aleppo. (AP via The Washington Post)
- Ireland's Army Bomb Disposal Team receives four calls in the capital Dublin: among them is a false alarm, dealt with at the Israeli embassy in Ballsbridge. (RTÉ News) (Reuters)
Arts and culture
- Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia unveiles a new school system to be run by an independent Catholic foundation. The Faith in the Future Foundation will serve the archdiocese's high schools and special education programs. (Catholic News Agency)
Business and economy
- Oil imports to China from Iran fall 28 percent in July and 30 percent in 2012. (Reuters)
Disasters
- 2012 Philippine Piper Seneca crash:
- A search and rescue team recovers the body of former Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo after a crash that claimed his life and two others on Saturday off Masbate. (Reuters) (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Philippine President Benigno Aquino III declares national days of mourning with flags flying at half-mast with a state funeral to be held within several days. (Rappler)
- Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. is named acting Secretary of Interior and Local Government. (GMA News)
Health and environment
- At least 20 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo die from the Ebola virus disease. (CNN)
- Tropical Storm Isaac forms in the Atlantic Ocean with tropical storm warnings in place for Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St Martin, St Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, Anguilla, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten, Culebra and Vieques. (AAP via News Limited)
Politics and elections
- United States Congressman Todd Akin, who is also a candidate for the United States Senate, vows to continue as the US-wide fall-out over his rape, pregnancy and anti-abortion comments rages on. (RTÉ News)
- The Constitutional Court of Romania invalidates the presidential impeachment referendum held on July 29. (Antena 3)
- Iran unveils a newer version of a short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, named the Fateh-110 or Conqueror, and five pieces of military hardware. (BBC) (Mehrnews)
Science