By: Joseph Rios
Africa
Ethiopia denies role in border killings – Sudan has accused Ethiopia’s army of executing seven Sudanese soldiers at a border area. Ethiopia denied responsibility and alleged in a statement that the incident was “deliberately concocted to undermine relations” between the countries. Tensions between the countries have been high due to a conflict over a farming area near their shared border.
Africa fund promises billions of dollars in investment for vaccines – The Africa Development Bank has pledged around $3 billion to be invested over the next 10 years to end vaccine dependency in Africa. The funds will be used for a center for research, development and vaccine manufacturing in Rwanda. The Africa Development Bank will also help patent and license African made medicines.
Asia
Nasa carries out launch from Australia – Australia made history by becoming the first country to launch a Nasa rocket outside of the United States. The rocket was launched early Monday morning and will be used for astrophysics studies that can only happen in the Southern Hemisphere. The rocket launch marked the first of its kind in more than 25 years.
Japan urges Tokyo residents to use less electricity – Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry urged people to use less electricity on Monday as the country faces a heatwave. Officials asked residents to turn off unnecessary lights but noted that air conditioning should still be used. The country expected demand for power to be severe on Monday afternoon because of the weather.
Europe
Ukraine shopping center struck by Russian missile – At least 10 people were killed and 40 others were injured when a Russian missile struck a retail center in central-eastern Ukraine. Officials say that more than 1,000 people were inside the building at the time of the attack. Ukraine MP Lesia Vasylenko called the attack an act of terrorism committed by Russia. She added that the incident was a “blatant attack on the civilian population.”
Child sex abuse suspect arrested – Alistair Riggott was arrested and charged with numerous sex offenses in Portugal. He has been on the run for eight months, and his arrest was part of a joint operation with the National Crime Agency. Riggott left the UK after being charged with offenses like attempting to cause a child to watch an image of sexual activity, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and making and possessing indecent images of children.
Latin America
Bodies of priests found in Mexico – Officials in northern Mexico found the bodies of two Catholic priests and a tour guide after they were shot and killed in a church. Officials believe the trio had a run-in with a wanted drug trafficker. Pope Francis called the killings a shocking reminder of the level of violence in Mexico. Authorities said Jose Noriel Portillo Gil is a suspect in the case.
Ecuador pledges to lower fuel prices – Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso promised to cut 10 cents a gallon from petrol and diesel prices as protesters blocked roads over the weekend. Some protests turned violent, and Lasso promised that violent demonstrators would be punished by law. The cost of diesel has nearly doubled over the past two years in Ecuador. The country’s economy was hit hard by the pandemic.
North America
Biden signs new gun control bill – President Joe Biden signed a new gun control bill that imposes tougher checks on young gun buyers and encourages states to remove guns from people who are considered a threat. Biden admitted the bill doesn’t do everything he wants but said it does include actions he’s called for in the past. Shootings in New York and Texas last month left 31 people dead.
Companies pledge to cover employee travel expenses for abortions – After a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, many large companies told staff they will cover employee travel expenses for abortions. Among those companies include Facebook owner Meta, Disney and JP Morgan. Amazon also announced a similar statement. Around 13 states pave passed “trigger laws” that outlaw abortion. At least 20 other states are working to limit abortion access.
