Portal:Current events/2014 July 16

July 16, 2014 (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

2014 insurgency in Donbass:
- The US widens sanctions against Russia, targeting major banks and energy companies, Russian defense industry, and individuals it said were responsible for the continuing support of separatists battling government forces in eastern Ukraine. (The New York Times) (U.S. Department of Treasury)
- The Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, criticises Russia for failing to meet commitments to end the violence in Ukraine, and said Russia might face further EU sanctions. (BBC News)
War in North-West Pakistan:
- A drone strike kills at least 20 people in North Waziristan near the border with Afghanistan. (Pakistan Express Tribune)
- Pakistan Air Force air strikes kill at least 35 militants fleeing from North Waziristan. (PTI via Business Standard)
Operation Protective Edge:
- Israeli shelling kills four children playing in a port next to Al-Deira hotel in Gaza, base to many journalists. (The Guardian)
A ceasefire violation by Pakistan; forces on Indo-Pak border ends with one BSF soldier killed. (Patrika Group)^{[permanent dead link]}

Business and economy

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority grants allowance to restart two nuclear plants, the first such a move in the country after the Fukushima disaster. (BBC News)

Disasters

Politics and elections