Africa
Nigeria bank chief killed in helicopter crash
Herbert Wigwe, the co-founder of one of the largest banks in Nigeria, was killed along with six others in a helicopter crash. The crash happened in California, and other victims included Wigwe’s son, and a former president of the Nigerian stock exchange. Wigwe was the co-founder of Access Bank.
Ugandans kidnapped in Myanmar
Uganda is collaborating with the government of Myanmar to work on the release of Ugandan citizens detained in a rebel-controlled region of Myanmar. There are at least 30 Ugandans being held but opposition says there are as many as 450. Thousands of people from different countries are trapped on scam compounds in Myanmar. The group of Ugandans were abducted toward the end of last year.
Asia
Millions celebrate Lunar New Year
Millions of people throughout the world gathered to celebrate Lunar New Year. It is one of the year’s biggest events for several east and south-east Asian communities where performances and parades kicked off. The two-week festivities celebrates the start of the Year of the Dragon, one of the 12 different animals that are in the Chinese zodiac.
Child rescued in southern Philippines
Authorities in southern Philippines rescued a three-year-old girl from a landslide. She was buried for 60 hours near a gold mining village. At least 35 people were killed and 77 others are still missing. A disaster agency official called the girl’s survival a miracle and added that rescue teams are still hoping to save more people.
Europe
Hungarian president resigns
Hungarian President Katalin Novak announced her resignation on live television following a controversial decision to grant clemency to a man convicted of concealing a child sexual abuse case. Novak’s decision to pardon an individual imprisoned for coercing children to retract sexual abuse allegations against a director of a children’s home sparked significant public outcry and ultimately led to her resignation. Judith Varga, the country’s minister of justice, also resigned.
Russia drone strikes Ukraine city
At least seven people were killed from a Russian drone attack that occurred in Kharkiv, an Ukraine city. Police said some of the victims were “burned alive” in their house. Officials also said that 15 private houses were completely burned. Among the victims included a seven-year-old, a four-year-old, and a seven-month-old child.
Latin America
Former Brazil president gives up passport
Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro surrendered his passport as police continue to investigate him of leading a failed plot to stay in power. Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress in 2023. He has called the investigation politically motivated. So far, three of his allies and the head of his political party have been detained and are suspected of plotting to keep Bolsonaro in power.
Argentina’s first female saint
Pope Francis traveled to Argentina for the canonization of the country’s first female saint. The saint, María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, known as Mama Antula, lived in the 18th century. She is considered by some to be Argentina’s first feminist and used her family’s riches to minister to the poor. The Pope called her a gift to the Argentine people and to the entire church.
North America
Pro-Palestine hunger strike reaches eight days at Brown University
College students at Brown University in Rhode Island are on their eighth day of a hunger strike, likely the longest of its kind in the United States since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war. The students are taking part in the strike to pressure the university to consider a proposal that recommends diverting from companies that “profit from human rights abuses in Palestine.” There are 19 students participating in the protest.
AI-generated robocalls now illegal
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that robocalls that use AI-generated voices are now illegal. The FCC said the announcement now gives the state power to prosecute people behind those calls. Last month, voters in New Hampshire received robocalls impersonating President Joe Biden ahead of the state’s presidential primary.
