Africa
Thousands may have died from drought in Somalia – According to a new report from the Somali government and the United Nations, about 43,000 people in Somalia may have died because of poor rainy seasons. Half of those who have died are believed to be children under the age of five. The United Nations estimates that it needs $2.6 billion to fund its Somalia drought response plan. The crisis is expected to lead to more deaths in the coming months.
Protests in Kenya over election – Thousands of people in Kenya are protesting after opposition leader Raila Odinga claimed the country’s election was stolen. He’s ran for president five times and accused Kenya’s government of failing to help ease cost of living in the country. Roads to government buildings have been blocked and there were reports of tear gas being fired by police at Odinga’s convoy. South Africa has also recently seen anti-government protests in recent weeks that have called for the country’s president to step down.
Asia
Mobile internet cut in India state – Authorities in Punjab, India have suspended mobile internet across the state as police search for a Sikh separatist leader. Amritpal Singh has called for a separate homeland for Sikhs and is inspired by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a preacher the Indian government accused of leading an armed insurgency in the 1980’s. Singh remains at larger, and police have set up traffic blockades to check vehicles.
Millions of fish dead in Australia – Australia is in the process of a major clean-up effort after millions of fish were found dead in a river in western New South Wales. Police acknowledged that it will not be possible to remove all the dead fish and assured residents that water supply in the area is of high quality. It is believed the fish died from low oxygen levels in the river after a recent heatwave took place.
Europe
United Kingdom assures banks are safe – The United Kingdom’s central bank assured residents that banks are safe after regulators enforced a rescue deal for Credit Suisse. Shares in European banks fell, but experts are not predicting a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis when numerous big banks failed and caused a recession. Recently, six central banks, including the Bank of England, announced they would boost the flow of US dollars through the global financial system in a move to keep cash available.
Putin visits Ukraine – Russia President Vladimir Putin recently visited Mariupol, a Ukrainian port that is under the control of Russian forces. Video footage showed Putin driving a car through streets at night and speaking to people. Putin’s decision to drive around the city was made spontaneously, according to the Kremlin. Last week, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
Latin America
Ceasefire between Colombia/drug trafficking cartel suspended – Colombia President Gustavo Petro suspended a ceasefire with the Gulf Clan drug trafficking cartel. He ordered security forces to reactivate military operations against the group. The ceasefire suspension is seen as a blow to Petro’s attempt to end armed conflict. The ceasefire had been in place since December, but Petro accused the Gulf Clan of shooting at police officers, inciting protests from informal gold miners, and more.
Inflation reaches new high in Argentina – For the first time since the early 1990’s, Argentina’s inflation rate rose past 100 percent, meaning consumer goods have more than doubled since last year. The country’s government has tried to decrease prices by capping prices of food and other goods. But food and drink prices rose by 9.8 percent in February compared to January while the price of meat rose by almost 20 percent in a month span.
North America
Wyoming bans abortion pills – Wyoming became the first state to ban abortion pills. The law is expected to be instituted on July 1, and violators face up to six months in jail and a $9,000 fine. Wyoming only had one clinic that provided abortions. In Texas, officials are expected to rule on whether a commonly used abortion pill should be legal as well as in the near future.
Teen kills two officers in Canada – Two police officers in Canada were shot and killed while responding to a family dispute. The suspect in the shooting is a 16-year-old boy who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His mother was also taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries after being shot. The officers, Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan, were in their 30’s and had worked for Edmonton Police Service.
