Africa
Ethiopia bank glitch causes financial problems
The state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the largest commercial bank in the country, is dealing with a systems glitch that allowed customers to withdraw millions of dollars. At least $40 million was withdrawn from the bank or transferred to other financial institutions when custom- ers found out they could take out more cash than they had available in their account. The bank is now working to get the money back from customers.
Refugees killed in road accident in Kenya
A road accident on Kenya’s Nakuru-Eldoret highway killed two Eritrean refugees and injured six others. The incident involved a minibus-taxi, carrying refugees, that collided with a parked truck. The truck was left unattended because of mechanical problems. Those who were injured are receiving treat- ment at a local hospital.
Asia
Teenagers arrested over student’s death in China
Authorities in the Chinese city of Handan detained three teenage boys over the death of their classmate. The victim, known as Wang, was bullied in school and his remains were found buried in an empty vegetable garden. Police are classifying the case as an intentional homicide. Those who were detained led the police to the student’s body, and authorities are investigating the motive for the killing.
Pakistan accused of killing women and children in Afghanistan
The Taliban accused Pakistan of killing eight women and children in Afghanistan. The victims died from a military attack that Pakistan described as anti-terrorist operations. Pakistan said the attack was in response to a militant attack that left seven Pakistani soldiers dead. Since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have grown.
Europe
Iceland declares state of emergency
Iceland declared a state of emergency in the southern part of the country because of a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is the fourth time an eruption has occurred in the area since December. Officials said their biggest concern was the volcano’s impact on infrastructure, and scientists believe the area is entering a new volcanic era.
Whooping cough cases on the rise in Czech Republic
Officials in the Czech Republic are struggling to contain a surge in whooping cough cases. Since the beginning of the year, the country has recorded 3,084 cases of whopping cough. Vaccination for whooping cough is mandatory in the country, but there are thousands of babies that are not vaccinated. Officials blamed the surge in whooping cough cases on incomplete immunization in children and a resurgence in respiratory diseases because of the end of COVID-19 measures.
Latin America
Cubans left without power for hours
Residents in Santiago, Cuba’s second largest city, were left without power for more than 14 hours a day. People in the area staged a protest over the power blackouts and food shortages as the country faces its worst economic crisis in decades. Cuba’s economy has been in a rough spot in recent years, and the pandemic worsened the situation. Official estimates show Cuba’s inflation rate is at 30 percent, but experts said that number is likely to be higher.
Haiti Prime Minister resigns
Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry is resigning from his position as the country continues to deal with increased violence. He is currently stranded in Puerto Rico and is being prevented from returning home by armed gangs. Henry has not been allowed in Haiti since January after he traveled to Kenya to sign a deal to launch a security force to help combat violence in Haiti. His resignation was one of the top demands of the armed gangs.
North America
Gunman kills three in Pennsylvania
Police in New Jersey have arrested a suspected gunman who is accused of carrying out deadly shootings in Pennsylvania. The suspect, Andre Gordon, is accused of killing three people over the weekend. Gordon allegedly shot and killed ins stepmother, Karen, Gordon, his 13-year-old sister Kera Gordon, and the mother of his children, 25-year-old Taylor Daniel. He is believed to have used an AR-15 type of assault rifle.
Tornadoes kill three people
Three people were killed and dozens injured when tornadoes swept through parts of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Tens of thousands of people were left without power, including 21,000 people in Ohio. Storms have recently hit the central and eastern parts of the country. States like Texas, Georgia and Alabama were also under the threat of tornadoes last week.
