Africa
Tanzania artist jailed
Shadrack Chaula, a Tanzania artist, was sentenced to two years in prison after being accused of burning a photo of President Samia Saluhu Hassan. He was arrested after allegedly recording the video and admitted to committing the crime. Tanzania has laws against spreading “fake news” while police said it isn’t the country’s culture to insult its national leaders.
DR Congo soldiers sentenced to death
At least 25 soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army were sentenced to death for fleeing battles. The group is also accused of stealing goods from shops in a village. Another soldier was acquitted while one soldier was given a 10-year prison sentence. Earlier this year, the country lifted a morato- rium on the death penalty.
Asia
Flooding kills rhinos at India national park
At least six rare rhinos died during flooding at the Kaziranga National Park in northeastern India. Around 130 other wild animals also died, including 117 hog deer, two sambar deer, a rhesus macaque, and an otter. The weather also caused extensive damage to roads and other infrastructure in the area. Officials set up hundreds of relief camps for those who have been displaced.
Tokyo’s first woman governor wins third term
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike secured a third consecutive term during the area’s recent elections. She received 42.8 percent of the votes and defeated her opponents by a wide margin. Koike became Tokyo’s first woman governor in 2016. She led the city during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the delayed summer Olympics in 2021.
Europe
Ukraine children’s hospital hit by Russian strikes
At least 33 people were killed across Ukraine recently by Russia strikes. A children’s hospital was also severely damaged by the strikes. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky promised to retaliate. Hospital officials said around 60 to 70 percent of the building was destroyed. During the attack, around 20 children were being treated for injuries and illnesses.
Napolean’s pistols auctioned off
Former French Emperor Napolean Bonaparte’s pistols were sold at an auction for nearly $2 million. The weapons were sold next to the Fontainebleau palace where Napolean tried to kill himself after his abdication in 1814. The guns include an engraved image of Napolean and were used when he tried to kill himself. Last November, one of Napolean’s tricorne hats was sold for $2.1 million.
Latin America
Dozens of hostages freed in Ecuador
Forty-nine people were freed by police in Ecuador after being kidnapped by a criminal gang. Police arrested two of the suspected kidnappers during a raid when they freed the hostages. Officials said the Los Lobos gang was responsible for the kidnapping. Weapons, dynamite and ammunition were seized during the raid. Los Lobos has an estimated 8,000 members and is one of the most powerful gangs in Ecuador.
Brazil introduces new Meta rules
Officials in Brazil will block Meta from using Brazilians’ Instagram and Facebook posts to train artificial intelligence models. Recently, Meta halted similar plans to use social media posts for the same reason in the UK. Meta said it is disappointed by Brazil’s decision and said it is a step backwards for innovation. There are around 102 million Brazilian Facebook users and more than 113 million Instagram users in Brazil.
North America
Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud
Plane-maker Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge. The company violated a deal meant to reform it after two crashes by its planes that killed 346 passengers and crew. Boeing also agreed to pay a criminal fine of $243.6 million, and now, the settlement must be approved by a U.S. judge. The company is also facing inves- tigations and lawsuits related to an Alaska Airlines flight.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani disbarred
Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and a legal adviser to Donald Trump, has been disbarred. A court found that he made false statements about Trump’s 2020 election loss. Giuliani is no longer allowed to practice law in the state. He said in a social media post on X that the case included false arguments and was based on “activist complaint.”
