Africa
Kenya approves use of military on protests
A Kenya court approved the use of military forces in the wake of days of anti-tax protests. As of last Saturday, more than 20 people had reportedly been killed in the nationwide protests. The demonstrations are mainly led by young people opposed to Kenya’s plans to increase taxes. Kenyan officials said military deployment was critical to protect government installations.
Comedian becomes vice president in Malawi
Micheal Usi, a top comedian known for being a prankster, was sworn in as Malawi’s vice-president. He replaces Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash in early June. Usi promised to honor Chilima’s memory and said he accepts the role with a mixture of sadness and gratitude. He is known for playing a mischievous character on a popular TV sitcom.
Asia
North Korea claims to fire new weapon
Officials in North Korea claimed to fire an advanced multiple warhead missile last week. However, hours after the country called the launch a success and released photos as proof, South Korea called it decep- tive and exaggerated. South Korea claims the missile exploded mid-flight and that North Korea’s photos from the launch were from another missile test carried out in March.
China honors woman who tried to stop knife attack
Hu Youping, a Chinese woman who worked as a school bus attendant, was killed while trying to restrain a knife attacker. She tried to shield a Japanese mother and her child from the knife attack. Local government officials have given her the title of “Righteous and Courageous Role Model,” and the Japanese embassy in China lowered its flag to half-mast. The suspect was arrested at the scene and the mother and son were injured but are expected to recover.
Europe
Taylor Swift arrives in Dublin
Taylor Swift performed at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland for three nights, beginning on last Friday. More than 150,000 people attended the shows. The event coincided with Pride, Latitude Festival, and the GAA football All-Ireland quarterfinals. Swift’s appearance in Ireland marked the first time she has performed in the country since 2018.
Protests turn violent at far-right German conference
This past week, the far-right Alternative for Germany party gathered for its annual conference. Tens of thousands of people gathered near the conference to protest the party. Police were deployed, and some officers were injured in clashes with protesters. Recently, the Alternative for Germany party won 16 percent of all votes in European elections and beat out the ruling center-left party.
Latin America
Boliva arrests coup leader
Police in Bolivia arrested the leader of an attempted coup. The leader, Gen Juan José Zúñiga, led soldiers to the presidential palace in La Paz. He said he wanted to restructure democracy and was later arrested. Zúñiga has been commander of the Bolivian Army since 2022 and it is unknown what his motives were for launching the coup.
Ex-Honduras president sentenced
Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison. He was convicted of drug crimes in a U.S. court. Hernández was found guilty of conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S. and for possessing “destructive devices” like machine guns. He said he was innocent at his sentencing hearing and was ordered to pay an $8 million fine.
North America
Actor Martin Mull dies
Martin Mull, who was known for his work on the TV shows “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “Roseanne” has passed at the age of 80. Mull was born in Chicago and started his career as a songwriter and musical comedian. He also guest starred in several other well-known TV shows, like “Two and a Half Men” and “The Golden Girls.” Mull passed after fighting against a long illness, his daughter said on social media.
Supreme Court rules cities can ban homeless camps
The U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 in favor of a decision that will allow cities to ban homeless people from sleeping in public places. This marks the court’s most significant decision on homelessness since the 1980s. Cities like San Francisco issued statements in support of the ruling, saying it will help cities manage public spaces more effectively. Last year, around 653,000 people in the country experienced homelessness.
