Portal:Current events/2016 August 9

August 9, 2016 (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Israel charges a UN administrative manager of being a Hamas-linked operative from Gaza. (The Associated Press via The New York Times)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
- At least 14 people are killed after Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit a food factory in Yemen's capital Sana'a. The airstrikes come just days after the suspension of inconclusive peace talks in Kuwait. (The Guardian)

Arts and culture

Business and economics

Delta Air Lines cancels about 530 flights worldwide on the second day of its major computer systems problem due to malfunctioning switchgear. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

2016 California wildfires
- The out-of-control Pilot Fire hits 7,500 acres of bone-dry tinder and brush in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. More than 5,000 homes are under evacuation orders. Authorities shut down school districts in the area. (Reuters)
2016 Portugal wildfires
- A raging wildfire destroys dozens of homes and prompts the evacuation of more than 400 people from Portugal's Madeira island as flames spread near the island's capital, Funchal. Regional President Miguel Albuquerque says one person had suffered serious burns and scores of others had needed treatment for the effects of smoke. Flights have also been disrupted at Madeira Airport due to smoke. (BBC)

Law and crime

Philippine Drug War
- Rodrigo Duterte says he might declare martial law in the Philippines if his spat with the Supreme Court escalates. (Rappler)
- The United States Department of State expresses "concern" over extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. (The Washington Post)
Irom Chanu Sharmila is set to end her 16-year fast against India's Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.(News18)(Ndtv)
Murder of Seth Rich
- WikiLeaks announces that it is offering $20,000 for information leading to a conviction in last month's shooting death of 27-year-old Democratic National Committee (DNC) staffer Seth Rich in Bloomingdale, Washington, D.C.. Police say they believe Rich was likely killed in an attempted robbery. (The Hill)

Science and technology

A study conducted at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology shows a positive correlation with playing online video games and higher test scores in math, science and reading while a negative correlation with social media use. (CNN)

Sport

2016 Summer Olympics
- French swimmer Camille Lacourt accuses Chinese swimmer Sun Yang of doping, saying "he pisses purple", while American swimmer Michael Phelps says "something needs to be done" to prevent doping from infiltrating swimming. (AFP via ABC News)