Africa
Kenyan police recover a head
Police in Kenya have discovered a head that is believed to have belonged to a 20-year-old student who was killed in the capital, Nairobi. Other parts of the student’s body were discovered earlier this year in trash bags at a short-term rental apartment. Other belongings from the victim, Rita Waeni, like her phone and personal items, were discovered with her head. The kill- ing has caught the attention of thousands of Kenyans because of the brutality of the incident.
First malaria vaccine distributed in Cameroon
Health officials in Cameroon began distributing the world’s first routine vaccine program against malaria. The vaccine is projected to save thousands of children’s lives in Africa from the disease that kills around 600,000 people a year. Children under five make up nearly 80 percent of those who die from malaria in Africa. The vaccine is being offered free of charge to all infants up to the age of six months old.
Asia
India opens grand temple
India officially inaugurated a grand temple to the Hindu god Ram. The temple resides in the city of Ayodhya and replaces a 16th century mosque torn down by Hindu mobs in 1992. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed religious rituals inside the temple on television along with priests and others. The temple cost $217 million and was funded from private donations.
Police chief charged in South Korea
Seoul Chief of Police Kim Kwang-ho, the highest ranking police chief in South Korea, was charged with negligence after a 2022 Halloween crush killed 159 young people. He is accused of failing to ensure there were enough officers in the area during the time of the incident. The charges stem from a gathering of more than 100,000 people, and only 137 officers were deployed on the ground at the time.
Europe
Ukraine drones reach St. Petersburg gas terminal
Ukraine deployed drones at a major gas export terminal near St. Petersburg in Russia. The drones caused an explosion, and Russian officials said no injuries occurred. Fuel at the gas exports was being used to supply Russian troops in their war against Ukraine, Ukraine officials said. Officials called the attack an economic blow to Russia.
France bans fishing at Bay of Biscay
Officials in France have instituted a temporary ban on nearly all commercial fishing in the Bay of Biscay. The move was made as a way to protect dolphins, and the ban will last until at least Feb. 20. Around 9,000 dolphins die in the bay each year after accidentally being caught in fishing gear. The government promised compensation to local fishermen who expressed fear of losing money during the ban.
Latin America
Mexican cartel leader captured
Jose Alberto Garcia Vilano, who allegedly leads the violent Los Circlones cartel has been arrested. The group is accused of kidnapping four Americans last year. Two of those who were kidnapped were killed. Footage showed Vilano and his associates being taken through a mall by armed police. Vilano was also wanted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
Millions of dollars of cocaine discovered on sub
Colombia’s Navy discovered a semi-submersible carrying about 800kg of cocaine. Officials estimate the cocaine was worth $27 million, and it is believed the sub was heading to the United States or Europe. Two people on the submersible were arrested and transported to a Colombian port city. Narco-submersibles are a popular way to transfer drugs and are typically homemade with fiberglass and plywood.
North America
Alec Baldwin charged again over movie set shooting
Actor Alec Baldwin was charged by a grand jury in New Mexico with a new count of involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin was practicing firing a pistol before filming a scene in “Rust” in 2021 when the gun went off and killed 42-year-old Halyna Hutchins. Prosecutors said they have shared additional facts from forensic tests on the weapon. Other charges against Baldwin were dropped last April.
Ron DeSantis ends presidential campaign
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing former President Donald Trump. He said he did not have a clear path to victory and leaves Nikki Haley as Trump’s last challenger for the Republican nomination. DeSantis was once thought to be a likely contender for the Republican nomination.
