Africa
Malawi declares state of disaster
Malawi declared a state of disaster because of a severe drought. The country’s president, Lazarus Chakwera, requested at least $200 million in humanitarian aid. Recently, other countries like Zambia have made a similar move. Officials said nearly half of the land used for planting crops has been affected by the drought.
Gunmen free abducted children
Around 137 student hostages who were taken in a mass abduction earlier this month were freed in Nigeria. Security forces were credited for freeing the children. Officials said a teacher who was taken during the mass abduction died in captivity. Kidnappings have been common in Nigeria in recent years, specifically in the northwest part of the country.
Asia
Delhi minister in custody
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is in custody because of corruption allegations. He was detained last week by India’s financial crimes agency and denied any wrongdoing. Some opposition leaders said his arrest is politically motivated, but the ruling party denied the allegation. Kejriwal is the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, and India is weeks away from hosting its general elections.
Islamic State claims responsibility for suicide bombing
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 21 people in Afghanistan. The group said it was targeting the Taliban and carried out the attack at a branch where Afghan government employees were located. The bombing was the largest of its kind in Afghanistan this year.
Europe
Four arrested for Moscow concert hall attack
Authorities in Russia have arrested four men who are charged with killing at least 137 people at a concert hall. The Islamic State group said it carried out the attack while Russia, without providing evidence, accused Ukraine of being involved in the attack. Other European countries like France raised its terrorist alert to the highest level.
EU investigating some tech firms
The European Union is investigating tech firms like Meta, Apple, and Alphabet, the owner of Google, for potential breaches of a digital markets act. The firms are facing fines of up to 10 percent of their annual turnover, if they are found guilty for breaking rules. Recently, the EU fined Apple for breaking competition laws related to music streaming.
Latin America
Ecuador mayor killed
Brigitte García, a mayor for the Ecuador town of San Vicente, was shot and killed. She was 27, and no arrests have been made so far. García’s communications director was also found dead, and critics of the country’s government said more needs to be done to protect elected officials.
Brazil soccer player arrested
Robinho, a former Brazil international soccer player, was arrested to serve a sentence for rape. Two years ago, he was convicted for participating in the gang rape of a woman at a Milan club in 2013. Italy requested that Robinho serves his sentence in Brazil because the country failed to get him extradited. Last week, a Supreme Court judge rejected a request to stop his arrest.
North America
Arizona rancher on trial for migrant’s death
George Alan Kelly, a 75-year-old rancher in Arizona, is on trial for shooting and killing a Mexican national on his ranch. Prosecutors allege Kelly recklessly fired an AK-47 rifle at migrants from a distance, killing Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea. Kelly’s lawyer said he was scared at the time and shot his gun into the air and not directly at the migrants.
Biden cancels student debt for public service workers
Teachers, nurses and firefighters are among those eligible for relief for student debt. President Joe Biden said he is canceling around $6 billion in student debt for public service workers. The announcement is expected to impact around 78,000 public workers. So far, Biden has canceled $143 billion in student debt.
