Africa
South Africa cricket legend passes
Mike Procter, a South African cricket legend, has passed away at the age of 77. Procter played seven tests for South Africa before the country was eventually banned from international cricket in 1970 because of its apartheid government. His wife said he suffered complications during a surgery. Procter’s accomplishments include winning the Gillette Cup and the Benson and Hedges Cup.
Ghana Twitter staff finally gets paid
Former employees at Twitter’s Ghana headquarters have finally been paid after being laid off more than a year ago. X, formerly known as Twitter, had previously said it had paid ex-employees in full. Employees at the Ghana headquarters had threatened to sue X if they were not paid. Today, X employs 1,500 employees.
Asia
Japan eases military haircuts
Officials in Japan will allow new military recruits to have longer hair in an effort to attract more young people. Japan currently faces a shortage of soldiers as security concerns continue to grow about China and North Korea. Japan’s military has been exclusively focused on defense in line with the country’s constitution since World War II.
Former Thai minister out on parole
Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been freed on parole. He had been serving a one-year jail sentence for corruption and abuse of power. Shinawatra, who is 74, did not spend a single night in jail after he expressed concerns over health problems. He was eligible for parole because of his age and health issues.
Europe
Russia opposition leader passes
Alexei Navalny, a longtime outspoken critic of Russia President Vladimir Putin’s regime, died while in an Arctic jail. His team believes he was murdered on the orders of Putin. Meanwhile, a rights group said around 400 Russians have been arrested for laying tributes for Navalny. He was one of the most prominent faces of Russian opposition to Putin and was serving a 30-year sentence for politically motivated charges.
Irish woman charged for murder of her son
Ruth Purcell Healy, a 37-year-old woman, has been charged with the murder of her six-year-old son in the Republic of Ireland. Her son, Matthew Healy, was found unresponsive in a car last Friday. Healy was told by a police officer that she had a chance to respond to the charge, and she allegedly replied “no thank you.”
Latin America
Brazil judge fines officials/companies over building collapse
A judge in Brazil fined officials and construction companies more than $48 million over the col- lapse of a building site in 2007. The incident occurred in São Paulo, and the judge said the collapse was because of negligent and dangerous acts. He said those in charge of the building site ignored warnings from experts who called for urgent support structures. Seven people were killed from the collapse.
El Salvador president reelected
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele was reelected president in a landslide victory. He greeted his supporters from the balcony of the National Palace saying his victory was the biggest difference between first and second place in history. He is known for his state of exception emergency measure that granted powers to the police and military to fight El Salvdaor’s gangs.
North America
Teens charged over shooting at Super Bowl parade
Two teenagers, both aged under 18, have been charged over a shooting at a Super Bowl parade in Kansas City. One person was killed, and 22 others were injured. Police said the incident stemmed from an argument and was not connected to terrorism. The names of the suspects have not been released because they are underage. The injured victims ranged in age from eight to 47 years old.
Trump ordered to pay $355 million fine
Former President Donald Trump will pay $355 million to New York and is banned from serving as a company director or taking out loans from banks in the state for three years. A judge ruled that Trump lied about the values of his properties. Trump said he would appeal the ruling. He will also be required to pay interest on the profits he made by committing the fraud, which could make his payment total at around $450 million.
