Africa
South Africa searches for six-year-old girl
Officials in South Africa are searching the country for a missing six-year-old girl. The girl, Joslin Smith, disappeared from outside her house nearly two weeks ago. Authorities found bloodied clothing in an open field nearby and sent the items to a forensic laboratory for analysis. The country is utilizing its navy to assist with civilian searches.
Nigeria tightens security at food stores
Nigeria has seen an increase in cases of attacks on warehouses storing food. Many people in Nigeria struggle to afford food as the prices of goods and services have increased significantly. In response to the attacks on warehouses, authorities have increased security at government food stores across the country.
Asia
Fire kills dozens in Bangladesh
At least 46 people were killed when a fire broke out in a multi-story building in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Dozens of others were also injured and taken to a local hospital. The fire started in a restaurant in the seventh floor of the property, and firefighters blamed the incident on safety lapses. Fires in commercial and residential buildings are com- mon in Bangladesh because of poor safety awareness.
South Korea doctors on strike
Doctors in South Korea are protesting the government’s medical policy. The country is threatening to take legal action against those doctors and revoke their medical licenses if they do not return to work. Nearly 75 percent of South Korea’s junior doctors walked out of their jobs recently. The strike has caused disruption and delays in surgeries.
Europe
Irish President hospitalized
Irish President Michael D Higgins, age 82, was taken to a hospital when he wasn’t feeling well. He was taken as a precaution, and a statement from his office said there are no immediate health concerns. Higgins has been president of Ireland since 2011 and was re-elected in 2018. He recently participated in an award show at the Dublin International Film Festival.
World War I gas detected in Sweden
Officials in Sweden detected traces of a World War I poisonous gas at its security service headquarters. Eight people were sent to a hospital while hundreds of others were evacuated from the building. The gas, phosgene, is used to make plastics and pesticides and was responsible for most chemical deaths during World War I..
Latin America
Cuba continues to struggle through food shortages
Officials in Cuba have asked the UN’s food program for assistance for the first time. The country is seeking powdered milk for children under seven years of age. Outside of milk, the country is also facing shortages of fuel and medicines. Cuba blames its economic crisis on U.S. sanctions, but critics have said the government is responsible for the country’s current economic crisis.
Kenyan police set to assist Haiti as gang violence continues
As gang violence continues to devastate Haiti, Kenya is planning to deploy around 1,000 police officers to the country to combat the violence. Last week, Haiti’s Prime Minister visited Kenya to begin working on the plan. There were nearly 5,000 deaths from gang violence reported last year in Haiti. Last month, more than 1,100 people were killed, injured, or kidnapped.
North America
Trump remains on presidential ballot
The Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump cannot be banned from Colorado’s presidential ballot over his actions leading up to the Capital attack in 2021. Justices unanimously agreed to overrule Colorado’s decision to bar Trump from the Republican primary ballot. Trump said the Supreme Court’s decision was very important and well crafted and will go a long way towards bringing the country together.
U.S. pharmacies will soon begin selling the first-ever over-the-counter birth control
Last year, the Food and Drug administration approved a birth control pill to be available without a prescription. The pill will sell for $20 in stores and online in the near future. There are currently 100 other countries in the world that have made the pill available over the counter.
