Ghanaian protesters demand president step down over economic crisis

On 17 August 2023, popular protests over the high inflation rate and deteriorating economic situation in Syria erupted in the Druze majority city of Al-Suwayda, with hundreds of participants. These grew, and by 20 August, thousands of protesters chanted slogans demanding the downfall of Assad regime.

The vote for the largely ceremonial role is widely viewed as a test of support for the ruling People's Action Party.

The regional bloc CCAS, and the country's opposition coalition, have urged international partners to push for a rapid return to civilian rule. Also in this edition: In Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 48 protesters are reported to have been killed in the eastern city of Goma. And finally: In South Africa, the death toll rises to 76 after the devastating Johannesburg fire at an abandoned apartment block that housed dozens of homeless people and squatters.

Pro-EU President Salome Zurabishvili is facing possible impeachment after she visited leaders in the bloc. The current government is seen by the opposition as taking the country away from Europe and toward Russia.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are pledged to boost African carbon credit production at the opening day of a landmark climate summit for the continent, despite protesters in Nairobi warning the approach is flawed. Also, Gabon's new leader promises elections to restore civilian rule as he is sworn in as president less than a week after toppling his predecessor.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrives New Delhi ahead of the G-20 Summit in India. He is received by Senior Government officials of the India and Nigerian Governments.

Federal prosecutors are looking to indict President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, before the end of the month. The indictment could serve a blow to Biden's presidential campaign.

We look at reactions from the local press after Mexico's governing and opposition parties nominate female candidates ahead of next year's presidential election. Also: Great Britain is not so great as the British weeklies deplore the "crumbling" state of the country. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raises eyebrows with references to "Bharat", not India, in state-issued G20 invitations. Finally, find out what your favorite coffee beverage says about your personality!

Families of killed activists are under pressure as authorities crack down on any sign of protest a year after the death of a young woman in police custody sparked an Iran-wide civil disobedience movement.

In the US, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says the House of Representatives will open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. That's a long-shot effort to remove the Democrat from office after two impeachments of former Republican president Donald Trump. The focus is on Biden's youngest son, Hunter, and allegations of corruption in business dealings as Catherine Viette explains.

China has sharply rejected statements made by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in the United States about Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Keir Starmer is in Paris a day ahead of King Charle's delayed state visit to France. The UK opposition leader has said he wants closer ties to the EU but won't seek to rejoin the bloc.