By: Joseph Ríos
Africa
South Africa sends troops to flood zone – Officials in South Africa are deploying more than 10,000 troops to help with relief efforts in areas devastated by floods. Last week in the KwaZulu-Natal province, more than 440 people died because of flooding. Dozens are still missing, and the province has been declared a disaster area by the South Africa government. Around 4,000 homes were destroyed by the incident and more than 8,000 were damaged.
Al-Shabab carries out attack in Somalia – The Islamist militant group, al-Shabab, claimed responsibility for a mortar attack on Somalia’s parliament that injured seven people. The attack occurred when officials were setting a date for the election of speakers for the upper and lower houses of parliament. The United Nations condemned the attack and said it stands with Somalia to complete its electoral process.
Asia
China reports COVID deaths after lockdown – Officials in Shanghai reported the deaths of three people who passed away from Coronavirus. The city has been in a lockdown since late March and is preparing to do another round of mass testing. Only 38 percent of Shanghai residents over 60 are fully vaccinated. The recent deaths are the first COVID-linked fatalities acknowledged by officials in all of China since March 2020.
North Korea says missile launch was successful – North Korea reported a successful testing of a new weapon that it says enhances its nuclear program. Experts believe North Korea is planning to test a tactical nuclear weapon soon. South Korea reported that over the weekend, North Korea launched short-range missiles into the sea. The United States is monitoring the situation.
Europe
Russia intensifies attack on Ukraine Ukraine military leaders say Russia is beginning a new attack on the eastern portion of the country. Russia appears to be focusing on gaining control of the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk while attacks are intensifying in Kharkiv. Ukraine and Russia have yet to agree on safe escape routes for civilians who are trapped in war areas. More than 4.9 million Ukrainians have fled the country because of the war.
European Union says Irish travelers face discrimination – According to research from the European Union, Irish travelers face the most discrimination of any ethnic group in Europe. Some in Ireland said it is causing a mental health crisis in the country. Life expectancy is up to 15 years shorter than the wider population in Ireland while 11 percent of people from Ireland die by suicide. Irish travelers said they need more action to halt discrimination that is causing a mental health crisis.
Latin America
Former Honduras leader to be extradited – Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez will be extradited to the United States. Hernadez is accused of involvement in a drug-trafficking ring. He denied any wrongdoing. His brother, Tony Hernandez, was sentenced to life in prison in the United States last year. Hernandez faces charges of conspiracy to import a controlled substance into the United States, using or carrying firearms and conspiracy to use or carry firearms.
Electricity reform fails in Mexico – Lawmakers in Mexico shot down a bill that would have increased the say the government has over power generation. Energy firms in the United States and Canada opposed the bill which critics said would have weakened environmental protection policies. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador lobbied hard for the bill, and its defeat is seen as a big blow to his Morena political party.
North America
InfoWars files for bankruptcy – After defamation suits, companies owned by U.S. radio host Alex Jones have filed for bankruptcy. Among those companies include the right-wing website InfoWars. Jones is fight-
ing defamation suits from families of those killed at the 2012 school shooting at Sandy Hook. Jones falsely said the shooting was a hoax, and he has been ordered to pay damages in the lawsuits.
More than 100 animals found in Arizona freezer – Michael Patrick Turland of Arizona was arrested after 183 animals were found in his freezer. The discovered animals included dogs, cats and birds. Turland admitted to freezing some of the animals while they were still alive. He was charged with 94 counts of animal cruelty, and authorities are now searching for his wife, Brooklyn Beck.
