Trump confirms ‘Islamic State’ leader al-Baghdadi killed in US operation

As Middle Eastern countries again accept Bashar Assad's control over Syria, India is beginning to renew its ties with Damascus in order to build strategic influence in the region.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Syrian President Bashar Assad is due to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. China has long provided diplomatic support to Assad's regime, and could play a role in reconstructing war-battered Syria.

African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina faults global finance architecture.

Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Saturday.