Africa
South Africa rules on teenage bar deaths
A judge in South Africa ruled that the owners of a bar where 21 teenagers died during a party will have to pay a fine and spend 100 days in prison. The owners were found guilty of selling alcohol to minors. Officials said the victims died from suffocation because of overcrowding. The victims also had methanol in their bodies.
Kenya mourns marathon star
Kenyans recently gathered for the funeral of Kelvin Kiptum, a marathon world record holder. Kiptum was 24 and died in a car accident. He had the fastest debut time over the distance and broke a London course record in 2023. He ran three of the fastest seven marathons of all time in less than a year and was known to support people in his home area.
Asia
Australian police officer charged with murder
A police officer in Australia has been arrested and charged for the murder of Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Daies. Their bodies have not yet been located. Officials found a bullet matching Beaumont Lamarre-Condon’s work-issued gun at the crime scene as well as blood and upturned furniture. He did not go to work the next day and is believed to have traveled away from the crime scene.
Fifteen dead in apartment fire in China
At least 15 people were killed and 40 others injured because of a fire at an apartment building in China. Images showed the building engulfed with black smoke. It is unknown what caused the fire but it started where electric bikes were being stored. Fires occur often in China because of relaxed enforcement of safety standards.
Europe
Ukraine gives death toll numbers from Russia war
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said 31,000 Ukraine soldiers have been killed since Russia invaded the country. It is unusual for Ukraine to publicize the number of soldiers killed in the war. The country is experiencing setbacks in the war, including a lack of supplies. Last week, Russia experienced its biggest win in months when Ukraine withdrew troops from the town of Avdiivka.
Russia opposition leader’s body returned
The body of Alexei Navalny, a leading Russian opposition figure, has been returned to his family eight days after his death. His mother was reportedly told to agree to a “secret” burial, and if she refused, his body would have been buried at the prison where he was. Navalny was the most high-profile critic of Russia President Vladimir Putin.
Latin America
Ex-Honduras president on trial
Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, is on trial after being accused of protecting drug traffickers. Officials accuse him of running Honduras like a “narco-state” and said he accepted millions of dollars in bribes from cocaine traffickers. Hernández, who is on trial in New York, denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.
Brazil soccer player found guilty of rape
Dani Alves, a Brazilian soccer player, has been found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub. He was sentenced to four and half years in prison and could face five years’ probation. Prosecutors said Alves bought champagne for three women before luring them into a VIP area of the club where he forced one of the women to have unwanted sex.
North America
Former NRA leader found guilty of corruption
A New York court agreed that former National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre cost the group millions of dollars that he spent on himself. He stepped down from his job before the trial began and must now pay back the money. Others found liable in the civic corruption trial include former NRA Financial Chief Wilson “Woody” Phillips.
U.S. hits Russia with sanctions
The United States introduced more than 500 new sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including measures against Russia’s main card payment system and financial and military institutions. The death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny was noted in the sanctions. Measures targeted those involved in his imprisonment. President Joe Biden recently met Navalny’s widow and daughter in San Francisco.
