Africa
Alleged war crimes under investigation in Tigray – The United Nations Human Rights Council is expected to discuss alleged war crimes in Ethiopia. Other African countries like South Sudan will also be discussed during the session. The council is responsible for promoting human rights worldwide and for investigating violations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will open the session.
Cape Verde basketball team makes history – Cape Verde, an African country that is home to a little over 500,000 people, made history by becoming the smallest country ever to quality for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup. The country defeated Ivory Cost over the weekend to clinch a spot in the tournament. Other African countries like South Sudan and Egypt will also compete. The event begins in August.
Asia
Ex-husband charged over Hong Kong influencer’s death – Alex Kwong, the ex-husband of Hong Kong influencer Abby Choi, appeared in court after being charged in connection with her murder. Kwong’s brother Anthony and her father Kwong Kau are also accused of being connected to the murder. Her mother was charged with obstructing the case. Choi’s head was found in a house after her other body parts were found in the same location.
Deputy chief minister of Delhi arrested – Manish Sisodia, the deputy chief minister of Delhi, was arrested by India’s federal police for alleged corruption. He was questioned for hours regarding alleged irregularities over a liquor policy in the city before he was arrested. India’s Central Bureau of Investigation said Sisodia did not cooperate with the investigation. Sisodia and his party denied the allegations.
Europe
Dozens of migrants feared dead after shipwreck – Authorities fear that more than 100 migrants, including children, died after their boat sank near southern Italy. So far, 62 people are confirmed to have died. The ship was carrying people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. The ship was carrying about 200 people and broke apart while trying to dock.
Ukraine president wants meeting with China – Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said he plans to meet China leader Xi Jinping. The two are expected to discuss China’s proposals on ending the war in Ukraine. Zelensky said he wants to believe China will not supply weapons to Russia. China’s plan calls for peace talks, but does not say that Russia must withdraw troops from Ukraine.
Latin America
Millions of dollars of cocaine found in banana shipment – Ecuador Police discovered nearly 8.8 tons of cocaine in a banana shipment. The drugs are believed to have been worth around $330 million and were heading to Belgium. Ecuador is a popular transit countries for cocaine produced in Peru and Colombia. Recently, violence linked to drug smuggling has risen in Ecuador.
Huge protests in Mexico against election reform – Approximately 500,000 people in Mexico City marched on the city’s main plaza. The protest ensued after lawmakers voted to cut staffing/the budget of the National Electoral Institute. Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador accused the institute of being partisan. Protesters see the recent vote by lawmakers as an attack on democracy.
North America
Dilbert cartoon strip under scrutiny – Scott Adams’ Dilbert comic strip is being dropped by many papers across the country after he made recent racist comments. Adams said on YouTube that Black people were part of a hate group and that white people should “get the hell away” from them. Papers that dropped Adams’ comic strip include the USA Today network, and the Los Angeles Times.
Twitter continues layoffs – Twitter recently laid off another 200 staff members. Recently, the company has cut 10 percent of its current workforce, about 2,000 people. Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, close to 50 percent of the company’s 7,500 employees have lost their jobs. Other companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet have also recently laid off tens of thousands of people.
