By: Joseph Rios
Africa
South Africa president booed out of May Day rally – South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appearance at a May Day rally was cut short because workers stormed the stage where he was speaking. The protesters, who worked at the Sibanye-Stillwater mining company, held up signs demanding an annu-
al salary pay raise. Ramaphosa was forced to leave the venue of the rally with a bodyguard after trying to calm the demonstrators.
Muslims tear gassed in Ethiopia As crowds of Muslims gathered to observe the end of Ramadan, security officials fired tear gas. Tension has recently grown in different parts of Ethiopia between Muslims and Christians after 20 Muslims were killed at a funeral. Since the incident, protests have ensued along with retaliatory attacks. Security blamed “a few individuals” for the tear gas incident and an investigation is expected to ensue. No casualties were reported.
Asia
New Zealand reopens to world – After being closed off to international tourists for more than two years because of the pandemic, New Zealand is reopening its borders. Images and videos surfaced on social media showing reunions with family and friends. Travelers can enter New Zealand if they’re vaccinated and don’t have COVID. New Zealand has reported 713 deaths related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Fire kills eight people in the Philippines – At least 80 homes were destroyed while eight people were killed when a fire swept through structures near Manila, the Philippines capital. Among those who died include six children. The fire started at a house inside the campus of the University of the Philippines. It is unknown what caused the fire. Fire fighters took almost two hours to extinguish the fire.
Europe
Popular French singer and actress passes – Regine Zylberberg, the French singer and actress, passed away at the age of 92 over the weekend. She claimed to have invented disco from a nightclub she opened in Paris during the 1950s. The nightclub became popular and opened locations in other parts of the world like New York and Rio de Janeiro. Regine was featured in films like Robert and Robert and My New Partner.
Ukrainian residents trapped in steel plant – Ukraine’s National Guard said hundreds of people remain trapped at a steel plant in Mariupol, a city in the country. Meanwhile, the country’s National Guard also noted that Russian troops are shelling the area. The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross evacuated some 100 residents from the area. Russian media said there are still more than 500 residents trapped at the steel plant.
Latin America
Leonardo DiCaprio, Jair Bolsonaro trade jabs – Actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio took to Twitter to encourage Brazilian youth to vote in elections later this year. Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has cut environmental protections during his tenure in office. He tweeted a sarcastic message to DiCaprio, saying it’s important to have every Brazilian vote in the coming elections. Bolsonaro, who is far-right, has faced criticism for his environmental policies.
Ecuador declares state of emergency because of gang violence – Due to a rise in crime, Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in three provinces in the country. Residents in the providences of Guayas, Manabi and Esmeraldas will be under -a curfew that will be enforced by soldiers and police officers. Murders and gang-related crime has increased in Ecuador. Lasso has blamed drug trafficking for Ecuador’s crime issues.
North America
Tornado hits Midwest states – Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska have all been hit by a tornado that has damaged buildings and cars. In Wichita, around 50 to 100 structures have been damaged. Planes and drones are being used to determine the severity of damage. More than 22,000 people have been left without power because of the tornado. No serious injuries have been reported.
Alabama searches for missing inmate and guard – Police in Lauderdale County in Alabama are searching for an escaped inmate, who is facing murder charges, and a guard who authorities believe helped the inmate escape. Casey White, the inmate, and officer Vicki White were last seen Friday when the officer said she was taking the inmate for a mental evaluation. That Friday was supposed to be Vicki’s last day at work after being with the prison for 25 years. Casey White was charged with two counts of capital murder in 2020 over the stabbing of Connie Ridgeway.
