African currencies have lost ground against the US dollar this year, further driving inflation in the import-reliant region. Depleting dollar reserves have left policymakers with limited options to arrest the decline.

A Nigerian man has completed more than 200 hours singing, another managed a 100-hour live video on Instagram, while a masseuse's bid to massage people for 75 hours ended in exhaustion.

The ongoing heatwave in the northern hemisphere highlights the critical importance of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. REN21, a think tank specialising in energy policy, closely monitors the progress of renewable power on an annual basis. According to their global report for 2022, renewable energy achieved a record share of 30% in electricity generation, but still faces challenges in sectors such as heat and fuel.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson broke the record for the highest paycheck for a single movie. Actors in Hollywood are either paid in full up front, or receive an initial portion, with a percentage of the movie's earnings promised.

The extreme temperatures across continents are no surprise, say NASA's top scientists. They believe there’s a "50-50 chance" that 2023 will be the hottest year on record, with next year likely even warmer.

Temperatures in Greece are expected to rise above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) over the next couple of days, as much of the world grapples with extreme heat this summer.

Media reports say that Saudi side Al Hilal have made a world record bid for PSG striker Kylian Mbappe.

Lionel Messi broke a record previously held by Tom Brady following his highly-publicized move to Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar brought his storied soccer career in Europe to an end after nearly two decades playing at the pinnacle of the sport. Messi’s popularity for being one of the greatest soccer players of all time followed him across the pond.

Officials in the Netherlands found €600 million ($661 million) worth of cocaine from Ecuador in containers alongside bananas. Rotterdam is one of the main ports for drug traffickers bringing the drug to Europe.

The health and cost-of-living crises has disproportionately affected the poor and women in developing Asia, hurting their chances of long-term improvement.

The annual meeting (24-26 August) hosted by the US Federal Reserve will be closely watched, especially Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell on Friday. While the policy of raising interest rates to lower inflation is no longer in doubt, observers will be watching out for clues as to when the US central bank might consider lowering rates again. The Federal Reserve has repeatedly stressed the importance of reaching the 2 percent inflation target.

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.