Portal:Current events/2013 July 8
July 8, 2013 (Monday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
Disasters and accidents
- At least twelve people are killed and a dozen injured when a dilapidated hotel collapses in the Indian city of Hyderabad. (The Hindu)
- After six days with temperatures over 40°C (104°F), Portugal officially has a heat wave. Temperatures have reached as high as 45°C in some places in Alentejo and Ribatejo.
- In the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, 126 mm of rain falls causing major flooding bursting most rivers and creeks. It is the single highest rain total in a day since Hurricane Hazel. (CBC News)
International relations
- 2013 mass surveillance scandal
- Bolivia summons the ambassadors of France, Spain and Portugal to explain why their countries blocked President Evo Morales' official jet en route to land on the Eurozone last week, amid orders to be searched if Edward Snowden was on board. (BBC)
- Brazil calls on the United States, asking to explain why US intelligence agencies have been monitoring millions of emails and phone calls of Brazilian citizens in their country. (The Guardian)
- The US Department of State confirms dialogue with Brazil on the alleged intelligence activity. (Merco Press)
Law and crime
- Former Chinese Railways Minister Liu Zhijun is given a suspended death sentence for corruption. (BBC)
- A French court clears oil company Total S.A., its chief executive and over a dozen defendants of corruption charges related to the United Nations oil-for-food programme in Iraq. (BBC)
Politics and elections
- The Syrian Ba'ath Party announces a shakeup of leadership positions with Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa losing his position. (AFP via Fox News)
- The Syrian opposition figure Ghassan Hitto task with forming an interim government to administer rebel-held areas has resigned, citing an inability to do so during a meeting in Istanbul. (BBC) (Ya Libnan)
- Governor of Texas Rick Perry, the longest serving governor in his home state, announces he will not seek a fourth term. (BBC)
Science and technology
- NASA Curiosity Mars rover begins its mission to its destination and drives to Mount Sharp. (BBC)
Religion
- Pope Francis visits the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, holds a mass to pay tribute to the many immigrants who have drowned trying to reach Europe and condemns the "global indifference" to their plight. (BBC), (The Guardian)