Africa

Malawi ex-president under investigation - As an investigation into corruption allegations ensues, a court in Malawi has frozen former President Peter Mutharika’s bank accounts. He is accused of benefiting from a $6.6 million cement scandal. He has denied any wrongdoing and said he needs his accounts to pay for his legal fees in the case.

Children believed to be part of insurgent group - On Monday, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said it has found that children in detention in Ethiopia are suspected of being part of an insurgent group. The children are between the ages of 11 and 14 and are believed to be part of the Oromo Liberation Army, a group that operates in western Ethiopia. The commission added that 90 people from the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front group, who fought federal troops in northern Ethiopia, are also in detention.

Asia

China/India troops clash - India’s army said there was a minor incident that has been resolved at the north Sikkim border. Reports say Chinese and Indian troops clashed at the area, leaving both sides with injuries. Both China and India have claimed areas in the territory. Indian media reported that there was no gunfire in the clash and that the situation was under control.

North Korea diplomat defects to South Korea - Ryu Hyun-woo, former acting North Korean diplomat, fled with his family to South Korea. He reportedly wanted to ensure his children have a better future. Typically, around 1,000 people defect from North Korea ever year. However, it is rare for senior North Korean officials to defect.

Europe

France may be heading for another lockdown - Jean-Francois Delfraissy, head of the scientific council that advises leaders on COVID-19, said this week will be crucial for how the pandemic impacts France. With a new variant of the coronavirus spreading, Delfraissy said France could be heading to the “equivalent of a second pandemic.” He said a third lockdown may be needed to slow the spread of the virus in France.

Putin says mass rallies for opposition leader are illegal - Russian President Vladimir Putin said rallies in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny are illegal and dangerous. Over the weekend, thousands of people protested in Russia in support of Navalny. At least 3,500 people were detained. Police in Moscow were seen beating and dragging away protesters. Leaders like Poland’s President Andrzej Duda urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Russia.

Latin America

Mexico president tests positive for virus - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has tested positive for COVID-19. He is 67 and said his symptoms are mild. Mexico is nearing 150,000 COVID-related deaths. Lopez Obrador said he will work from home and is planning to speak to Russia about acquiring a Russian-vaccine for the virus.

Brazil short on syringes - Brazil is running out of vaccines, syringes and other equipment, one week after it started vaccinating residents. The Brazilian Society for Immunology called the country’s health ministry incompetent. Brazil has six million doses of the Chinese vaccine SinoVac and two million of the Oxford-AstraZeneca. At least 215,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Brazil.

North America

Larry King passes - Larry King, who spent 60 years interviewing political leaders, celebrities and others, has died at the age of 87. King spent 25 years working for CNN and conducted around 50,000 interviews throughout his career. Earlier this month, King was treated in the hospital for COVID-19. King founded the Larry King Cardiac Foundation that funds heart treatment for those who can’t afford it.

Biden repeals Trump’s ban on transgender military members - In Trump’s first year in office, he instituted an order that banned transgender people from joining the military. That ban has formally been lifted by President Joe Biden. In 2019, there were around 8,980 active duty transgender troops. When the ban went into effect, trans people who were already serving in the military were allowed to continue. However’ new recruits were locked out.