Our Top Stories for the Week of September 5, 2022

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

It’s been a busy week, from the loss and election of leaders to US administration happenings. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top stories of the week.

World Leaders

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Failed Assassination Attempt On Argentina's Vice President: On Friday, September 2, footage showing Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner coming face to face with the loaded firearm went viral. Police announced that the 35-year-old Brazilian male gunman had been apprehended and imprisoned. They are investigating the motivation for the murder attempt on the vice president, Argentina's president from 2007 to 2015, and its first lady for four years before that.^[1]
Ukrainian PM In Talks With Germany Over Weapons Supply: On Sunday, September 4, Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's Prime Minister, praised Germany for its support in the face of the Russian invasion and called for more armaments. He also stated that Kyiv needed more from Berlin, including "modern fighting tanks" like the Leopard 2. He is the highest-ranking Ukrainian official to visit Berlin in months after Kyiv accused Berlin of doing too little to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.^[2]
Liz Truss Appointed Prime Minister Of The UK: On Tuesday, September 6, following Boris Johnson's resignation, Liz Truss became the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after meeting with the Queen and being granted authority to form a government. Following her meeting with the Queen— before she died— she is anticipated to return to Downing Street immediately to deliver a speech to the country before beginning to form her government. Truss, 47, is the United Kingdom's 56th Prime Minister and the country's third female leader. ^[3]
Vladimir Putin And Xi Jinping Scheduled For A Meeting: On Wednesday, September 7, the Russian envoy to Beijing told reporters that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet next week on the sidelines of a conference in Uzbekistan. The scheduled meeting would be Xi's first overseas travel since the pandemic's breakout, and it would take place just weeks before a big political summit in Beijing. The anticipated encounter between Xi and Putin and the site for Xi's first overseas trip demonstrate the significance of China's relationship with Russia.^[4]
Queen Elizabeth II Dies At 96: On Thursday, September 8, the Queen of England dies peacefully at Balmoral Castle. Her 70-year reign since she ascended the throne in 1952 marked the longest reign of any British monarch in history. Her Eldest Son assumed the monarchial role of King Charles III and sent a release to address the British people. Shortly after the announcement, Operation London Bridge—the codename for events after the Queen's death—commenced. The Union Jack and the EU flag were lowered to half-mast as people gathered before Buckingham Palace to begin the 12-day mourning period.^[5]

Sources: [1] BBC [2] The Guardian [3] The Guardian [4] CNN [5] BBC

US Administration: Current & Former

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US Treasury Declines Request To Release Hunter Biden’s Data: On Saturday, September 3, The US Treasury stated that it would only consider official petitions from legislative committees. Republican legislator James Comer of Kentucky, the senior Republican on the House Oversight and Reform Committee, accused the Treasury of changing the laws to protect Biden's son Hunter's business relationships with foreign corporations.^[1]
China To Take Countermeasures Over US-Taiwan Arms Deal: On Saturday, September 3, after the Biden administration approved more than $1.1 billion in military sales to Taiwan, China "warns" the US, threatening "countermeasures." The State Department stated that the shipments are in keeping with the US's long-standing policy of providing defensive weaponry to the island and that the "rapid availability" of such munitions is critical for Taiwan's security. On the other hand, China accuses the US of meddling in its domestic affairs.^[2]
Court Grants Trump Special Masters In Classified Documents Case: On Monday, September 5, a judge approved Donald Trump's request for a special master. The special master will be in charge of investigating his handling of secret documents. Due to the appointment, there will almost certainly be a delay in the current criminal inquiry. Mr. Trump disputes all charges against him and claims that as president, he declassified all documents.^[3]
Barack Obama And Wife Attend White House Portrait Unveiling: On Wednesday, September 7, Barack and Michelle Obama, the former president and first lady of the United States, returned to the White House five years after departure to attend the unveiling of their official portraits, sponsored by Joe Biden, a fellow Democrat, and former vice president. Obama and his wife did not have their wedding performed while Donald Trump was president.^[4]

Sources: [1] Reuters [2] CNN [3] BBC [4] Reuters

Concerns & Progress

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Missing Migrant Children Raises Alarm In Houston: On Friday, September 2, After Houston police expressed concerns about scores of migrants children reported missing in the Texas metropolis, federal and local officials are attempting to locate almost a dozen unaccompanied migrant children. According to the HHS official and two other sources familiar with the incident, the government determined that 57 unaccompanied migrant children had gone missing in Houston since last year. However, it has been reported that 46 of them are presently safe as of August 26.^[1]
Different Covid Laws Across Chinese Cities: On Monday, September 5, the Chinese city of Shenzhen eased a COVID-19 lockdown as infection in its latest outbreak showed signs of stabilizing, while Chengdu, which has a population of over 21.2 million people, faced extended restrictions on their movements. According to the most current statistics, there were 71 new local cases on Sunday, down from 89 the day before. Shenzhen discovered fewer infections among those who had not been quarantined in recent days.^[2]
Apple Unveils New Gadgets: On Wednesday, September 7, during a press event at its headquarters in California, tech giant Apple unveiled a new iPhone and Watch series. At the event, Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 2, four new smartphones, and three new smartwatches. The primary camera on the new iPhone 14 is 12 megapixels, and it features bigger pixels, a faster aperture, and better sensors than on prior versions. This is the first time a digital "e-SIM" card, as opposed to a physical SIM card, is used.^[3]
Multiple Disasters In California: On Thursday, September 8, large wildfires continue to burn over the western coast of California, even as heavy rain and flash floods are possible in some southern California. Massive flames have spread over California's western coastline. People have been forced to evacuate their houses, and the area the fire burned through has been severely damaged. Heavy precipitation and flash flooding are concerns for various areas of the state. ^[4]