By: Joseph Rios
Africa
Dozens dead after Algeria wildfires – At least 43 people were killed because of wildfires that swept throughout the northern part of the country. Fire officials put out more than 30 fires and arrested 13 people on suspicion of involvement in starting the fires. Around 1,000 families were forced to evacuate areas like the El Tarf region near Tunisia.
Kenya elections head to court – Kenya presidential candidate Raila Oding is going to court to challenge the country’s presidential election results. The country’s electoral commission ruled that Odinga took 48.8 percent of the vote while William Ruto’s secured 50.5 percent of votes. Four of the seven electoral commissioners recently refused to endorse the results, calling the finally tally “opaqe.”
Asia
Philippines students return to school – After almost two years of distanced learning, millions of students across the Philippines returned to in-person lessons. Less than half of the country’s public schools will implement five-day face-to-face classes. By November, all 27 million registered students are expected to head back to in-perso learning for full-time lessons.
Singapore ends ban on gay sex – Singapore is ending a ban on a law that bans gay sex, essentially making it legal to be homosexual. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the decision on national television. LGBT activists in Singapore called the end of the law a win for humanity. Singapore is known for being conservative and joins other countries like India, Taiwan and Thailand who have moved on LGBT rights.
Europe
Russia seeks military recruits – Russian military officials are ramping up efforts to recruit soldiers to the Russia army. Recruiters are urging Russians to sign shortterm contracts with the military to fight in Ukraine on channels like social media, television and billboards. Approximately 70,000 to 80,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the country invaded Ukraine six months ago.
Third heatwave in Portugal – Officials in Portugal sent a text warning about extreme risk of wildfires as the country faces a third heatwave. Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees with strong winds in the coming days. Rural areas were warned to not start any fires. Access to forests has also been restricted. So far this year, 92,000 hectares of land have already burned in Portugal.
Latin America
Heart of Brazil emperor returns to country – The heart of Dom Pedro I, Brazil’s first emperor, will go on public display at the foreign ministry in Brasilia. It was returned to the country on a military plane from Portugal. Brazilian officials plan to host a cannon salute, a guard of honor and full military honors for the heart. Pedro was born in 1789 and issued Brazil’s declaration of independence in 1822.
Former Mexico attorney general arrested – Jesus Murillo Karam has been charged with forced disappearance, torture and obstruction of justice in connection to the disappearance of 43 students. The students disappeared in 2014 while traveling on a bus through the city of Iguala to go protest in Mexico City. Karam led a controversial investigation into what happened to the students. His findings were criticized by independent experts and loved ones of the missing students.
North America
Arkansas officers suspended – Three Arkansas police officers were suspended after a video showed them pinning a suspect to the ground and repeatedly beating him. One officer kneed the man in the back repeatedly and while another bashed his head against the pavement. The video of the incident has been viewed millions of times across social media.
South Korea/U.S. host joint military exercises – South Korea and the United States are hosting large joint military exercises on the Korean Peninsula. It is the first time in four years the countries will run field exercises to practice how they would respond to a North Korea attack. The exercises haven’t occurred since 2018 when they were canceled as the countries tried to convince North Korea to get rid of its nuclear weapons. This year, North Korea has fired more missiles than in any other single year.
