Africa
Dam spills cause thousands to flee
Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes because of major dam spills in Ghana. Homes and farms were destroyed and essential services like water and electricity has been cut off in some areas. Flooding took place in the southeast area of Ghana, and seven injuries have been reported by officials.
Peacekeepers accused of sexual abuse in DR Congo
Peacekeepers from the UN were suspended because of reports of sexual exploitation and abuse. The peacekeepers were working in the Democratic Republic of Congo on behalf of the UN peacekeeping mission in the region. The mission has faced previous accusations of sexual abuse in the past and has more than 14,000 troops in the eastern portion of the country.
Asia
Earthquake strikes Afghanistan again
Afghanistan has been struck by three earthquakes in recent days. The most recent quakes took place over the weekend, affecting several villages. At least 1,000 people have been killed from the tremors, and more than 90 percent of those who were killed were women and children. Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes because it is near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
New report sheds light on North Korean defectors
A new report from South Korea says China has forcibly repatriated a large number of North Koreans. Most of the defectors are women and could face prison, sexual violence, and in some cases, death, if sent back to North Korea. Reports in China read that hundreds of North Koreans were put in trucks and sent from their detention centers to North Korea last week.
Europe
France raises security level
Officials in France put the country on its highest state of counter-terrorism alert. The move was made by France’s prime minister after a knifeman fatally stabbed a teacher and seriously wounded two others. The knifeman shouted “Allahu Akbar,” meaning “God is greatest,” during the attack at a school in northern France. The “attack emergency” level can trigger extra security deployments and public warnings.
Russia Olympic Committee suspended
The International Olympic Committee suspended the Russian Olympic Committee “until further notice.” The Russian Olympic Committee recently recognized regional organizations from four Ukrainian territories illegally annex by Russia since it invaded Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee said the move by the Russia committee was a breach of the Olympic Charter.
Latin America
Hurricane hits Mexico
Hurricane Lidia hit Mexico’s Pacific coast. It was a Category 4 Storm and brought wind speeds of up to 140 mph. In the Mexican state of Nayarit, a man was killed when a tree fell on the van he was driving. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador that 6,000 members of the armed forces be deployed to help residents. Every year, hurricanes hit Mexico, and the country’s official hurricane season runs from May to November.
Inmates free hostage prison guards in Paraguay
Inmates at Paraguay’s largest prison have freed several prison guards that they were holding hostage. In total, 22 prison guards were freed after being held hostage for more than 15 hours. They were attacked during a riot that was allegedly sparked by a prison gang called Rotela Clan. The prisoners were previously calling for the country’s justice minister to resign but it is unclear what motivated them to free the prison guards.
North America
Officer found guilty in Elijah McClain death
Randy Roedema, a Colorado officer, was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault in the death of Elijah McClain. Roedema, along with another officer, were accused of using excessive force and ignoring McClain repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe.” McClain, who was Black, died when police pinned him down before a medic injected him with ketamine.
Student admits to threatening Congressman
Allan Poller, a 24-year-old college student, has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz. Poller threatened Gaetz in a voicemail saying “If you keep on coming for the gays, we’re gonna strike back… We will kill you if that’s what it takes.” In recent years, lawmakers have faced a rise in harassment and threats.
