By: Joseph Rios
Africa
Deadly fire at Egypt church – Officials in Egypt estimate that at least 41 people died because of a fire that broke out at a church. Reports suggest that an electrical unit caused the fire at a time when 5,000 people were in the church. The fire blocked an entrance and caused a stampede. Among the victims included some 18 children who are between the ages of three and 16 years old.
Election results postponed in Kenya – Allegations of vote rigging and more has caused division among Kenya’s electoral commission, causing the group to postpone election results. Four of the seven electoral commissioners said they could not support the last phase of tallying. One party alleged that there were irregularities and mismanagement in the election.
Asia
Marshall Islands reports first COVID outbreak – Health officials in the Marshall Islands reported that COVID-19 cases have surged in recent weeks. The Marshall Islands was one of the last countries in the world to have not dealt with an outbreak of the virus. The nation’s government declared a state of health disaster, closed schools and enforced new public health measures.
Taliban break up protest – The Taliban broke up a protest that involved 40 women who marched through Kabul demanding rights. The group seized phones from the demonstrators and fired in the air to break up the protest. Women have dealt with increased discrimination since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan last year. Afghanistan is the only country in the world that limits education based on one’s gender.
Europe
Russia seeks to expand relationship with North Korea – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia and North Korea will expand their relations in a letter he sent to North Korea leader Kim Jong-un. Kim said the friendship between the countries had been forged in World War II. Russia’s ambassador recently said North Korea was keen to get replacement parts for Soviet-era heavy equipment delivered to factories and power plants from eastern Ukraine.
Scotland introduces new law for feminine products – Scotland became the first country to protect the right to free sanitary products thanks to a new law that went into effect on Monday. The law requires councils and education providers to make feminine products free to those who need them. Hey Girls, a group working to combat poverty in the UK, said that one in four women in Scotland faced poverty at some point.
Latin America
Brazil protests as elections near – Thousands of people in Brazil took to the streets last Thursday as the country’s presidential election draws closer. Many in Brazil fear President Jair Bolsonaro will try to stay in power even if he loses the election in October. He’s already attempted to discredit Brazil’s voting system. Protesters marched in Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Recife and other parts of the country.
Argentina rate of interest rises again – Argentina’s central bank raised its main rate of interest to 69.5 percent as new figures show inflation in the country had hit a 20-year high. The bank said in a statement that the rise in the policy rate will help reduce inflation expectations. Forecasts show that the inflation rate in Argentina is expected to reach 90 percent by the end of the year.
North America
Southern Baptist Convention under investigation – Authorities have started an inquiry into sexual abuse by clergy of the Southern Baptist Convention. Earlier this year, a report suggested that the Southern Baptist Convention covered up abuse and vilified survivors. The organization has 13 million members and focuses largely on southern states in the United States. The Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News exposed hundreds of alleged cases of sex abuse within the church in 2019.
FBI raids Trump’s home – Last week, the FBI seized top secret files that were located at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The FBI took more than 20 boxes of items that included a binder of photos, a handwritten note, and information about the “President of France.” Investigators reportedly tried to get the documents back from Trump before carrying out the raid. He denied any wrongdoing and said the items were declassified.
