Africa
Former Eritrean financial minister passes
Berhane Abrehe, Eritrea’s longest serving financial minister, has passed away at the age of 79. He passed in prison where he was serving a sentence for calling the country’s president a dictator in a book. Eritrea was never brought before a court of law, and it is unknown when his family will have his body returned to them.
Second largest diamond ever discovered in Botswana
Officials in Botswana have discovered a 2,492 carat stone diamond. It is the largest diamond discovered since 1905 when a 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond was discovered in South Africa. It is unknown how much the diamond is worth or the quality of the stone.
Asia
South Korea hotel fire leaves seven dead
At least seven people in South Korea were killed after a fire broke out at a hotel. Two people survived by jumping out of the building windows onto an air mattress from a local fire department. The fire likely started because of an electrical fault. It didn’t spread throughout the building, but the rooms were not equipped with sprinklers.
New mpox strain discovered in Thailand
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control confirmed that a 66 year old European man who arrived from an unnamed African country tested positive for a potentially deadlier strain of mpox. The virus has spread to other countries like Uganda and Rwanda. The Thailand case is the first confirmed case of mpox in Asia.
Europe
Stabbing in Germany leaves three people dead
Police in Germany are investigating a stabbing that took place last Friday. The incident left three people dead and injured eight others. So far, police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the stabbing and a second person. Police have yet to provide details on the second arrest.
Russia/Ukraine swap prisoners
Officials in Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 230 prisoners, shortly after Ukraine launched a cross-border attack in a Russian region. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said 115 of the country’s soldiers were returned. This marks the first prisoner swap since Ukraine launched an attack in Russia on Aug. 6.
Latin america
Venezuelan journalist detained
Police in Venezuela have detained Ana Guaita Barreto, a journalist working for the news site, La Patilla. The news organization focuses on opposition news in the country. She was seized from her home and is now the sixth journalist to be detained since the country’s presidential election on July 28.
X halts business in Brazil
X, formerly known as Twitter, is closing its office in Brazil because of a censorship row. A Brazil Supreme Court judge recently ruled that X threatened the country’s legal representative in the country. Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform, said people in Brazil could still use X as of Saturday.
North America
Stranded astronauts set to return next year
NASA said astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Willmore will be returned to Earth “un-crewed” in February 2025. They have spent two months in orbit because of spacecraft issues like leaks of helium. By the time they return to Earth, the astronauts will have been stranded in space for eight months.
Software firm accused of rent hikes
The United States has accused RealPage’s software algorithm of subverting competition between landlords and contributing to the country’s housing crisis. RealPage did not respond to the accusation, but has previously been accused of fake and misleading claims. The company was also sued by renters and prosecutors in Arizona and the District of Columbia at the beginning of the year.
