Africa
Tanzania fires Information Minister
Officials in Tanzania have fired Information Minister Nape Nnauye because of comments he made about election results. Nnauye suggested elections could be rigged, which led to critics saying he violated principles of electoral democracy and did not respect voters. He is set to be replaced by Jerry Slaa, a former land and housing development minister.
Toxic chemical stolen in Kenya
Police in Kenya are searching for containers of a toxic chemical that were stolen from an overturned lorry. The chemical, sodium cyanide, can be deadly if swallowed or inhaled in small amounts. It is unknown what caused the lorry to overturn, and the country’s national environmental agency urged the public to alert police if they see the containers.
Asia
India boy dies from Nipah virus
A 14-year-old boy in India died from the Nipah virus, prompting health officials to issue an alert to the public. Approximately 60 other people have been identified as being in the high-risk category of having the disease. The Nipah virus is transmitted from animals like pigs and fruit bats to humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the virus has the potential to cause an epidemic.
Long-serving Vietnam leader passes
Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam’s general sec- retary of the ruling Communist Party since 2011, has died. Trong was one of the country’s most powerful leaders and also served as president at one point. He had not been seen since late June when he welcomed Russia President Vladimir Putin on a state visit. Political analysts say Trong leaves behind a profound but incomplete legacy.
Europe
France recalls Olympic-branded water bottles
A week before the 2024 Summer Olympics, French officials have recalled Olympic-branded water bottles for children. Officials pointed to excessive levels of Bisphenol A, a chemical, in the water bottles. France’s food safety agency said the chemical is believed to be linked to health issues like breast cancer and infertility. Bisphenol A has been banned in France since 2015.
Serbian man arrested in connection to Germany stabbing
Police in France have arrested a 22-year-old Serbian man who is accused of fatally stabbing a German man. The victim, Ian Cameron, was 74 and a Rolls-Royce car designer. Police arrested the suspect while he was alone in an apartment near Paris. His name has not been named publicly, and he is due to appear before an investigating magistrate this week.
Latin America
Dozens of migrants die in boat fire
A United Nations agency said at least 40 migrants were killed on a boat when the vessel caught fire near Haiti. The boat was travelling from Cap-Haitien to the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is unknown what caused the fire, but local media reported that people on the boat were lighting candles. The Haitian Coast Guard rescued 41 people and are receiving care from the International Organization for Migration.
Bolivia announces large natural gas field
Bolivia President Luis Arce announced the country has discovered a 1.7 trillion cubic feet natural gas field. It is the largest discovery in the country since 2005. Bolivia relies on natural gas exports but production has slowed down recently. Arce said the new gas field will revive Bolivia’s gas industry and start a new chapter for the area where it was discovered.
North America
Long-time news anchor dies
Lou Dobbs, a conservative U.S. political commentator and Donald Trump supporter, has passed away at the age of 78. He worked for CNN and Fox before eventually running his own podcast, “The Great American Show.” Fox canceled Dobbs TV program in 2021 after he was accused of using his platform to spread false claims of fraud in the 2020 election. Trump praised Dobbs on his Truth Social account, calling him a friend and incredible journalist, reporter, and talent.
Harris raises millions as Biden drops out of race
Vice-President Kamala Harris has raised nearly $81 million for her presidential campaign. She reached this number in less than 24 hours after President Joe Biden announced he is dropping out of the race. Several Democrats voiced support for Harris’s presidential campaign, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
