Africa
Well known South African politician passes
Tito Mboweni, the first black central bank governor of South Africa, has passed away at the age of 65. Mboweni was a former anti-apartheid activist and spent nearly 10 years in exile in Lesotho. He also served as South Africa’s finance minister. His family said he suffered a short illness before he passed.
Media banned from discussing Cameroon president’s health
Officials in Cameroon have banned journalists from discussing the health of President Paul Biya. Rumors have recently spread of Biya’s death, which have been denied by Cameroon officials. Biya is 91 and has not been seen in public since Sept. 8 when he attended a forum in China. Several reporters said the consider the ban a violation of press freedom.
Asia
Indian politician killed
Baba Siddique, an Indian politician, was shot and killed by gunmen. He was a former local minister and a key politician in the Maharashtra state. Two people were arrested in connection to his killing, and officials called the incident a “cowardly attack.”
Atomic bomb survivors honored with Nobel Peace Prize
A Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors have been honored with the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. The group, known as hibakusha, have been recognized by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for efforts to halt the use of and development of nuclear weapons. The organization was created in 1956, more than 10 years after a U.S.bomber dropped a uranium bomb that killed around 140,000 people.
Europe
Ukraine journalist dies in Russia prison
Officials in Moscow have confirmed that Viktoriia Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist, has died in a Russian prison. She was detained last year while reporting in Russian-occupied Ukraine. Roshchyna was 27 years old, and this past weekend friends gathered to remember her in central Kyiv.
Latin America
X allowed in Brazil again
Brazilians can now use X again in Brazil. The country’s Supreme Court lifted a ban on the social media platform after the company paid fines and blocked accounts accused of spreading misinformation. In total, X paid $5.1 million worth of fines and agreed to appoint a local representative. Brazil is home to more than 20 million X users.
Mexican mayor murdered
Alejandro Arcos, who just started as mayor of the Mexico city of Chilpancingo, was murdered. He was killed less than a week after taking office. The city is an area affected by drug violence and drug cartels who have killed dozens of politicians across Mexico. Arcos was found dead last weekend and came shortly after the city government’s new secretary, Francisco Tapia, was shot and killed.
North America
Canada to cover cost of contraception and diabetes medication
Canada has passed a new bill that will allow the government to cover the cost of contraception and diabetes drugs. This bill will cover 100 percent of the cost of diabetes and contraception medication for Canadians who do not have drug plan coverage. Now, nearly nine million Canadian women of reproductive age will have access to common types of contraception.
Ethel Kennedy passes
Ethel Kennedy, a human rights advocate and the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, passed away last week at the age of 96. Her family said she suffered a stroke. Kennedy launched the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation while pregnant with her 11th child. President Joe Biden called her a “matriarch of optimism and moral courage” and “an emblem of resilience and service.”
