Africa
Lightning leaves 13 children dead in Uganda
At least 13 children and one adult were killed by lighting at a refugee camp in Uganda. The camp is home to more than 80,000 people, and the victims were attending a church service at the time of the incident. Around 34 others were injured, and it is unknown the exact ages of the children who died.
Miss Rwanda arrested
Divine Muheto, a beauty queen in Rwanda, was arrested for drinking and driving and driving without a license. Authorities say she damaged infrastructure and fled the scene. Muheto has not publicly reacted to the incident. She recently won the Miss Rwanda beauty pageant.
Asia
Famous Indian designer passes
Rohit Bal, whose designs were marked by a deep understanding of Indian textiles, died at age 63. He is one of India’s most celebrated fashion designers and many designers who came after him credit him for their success. Bal’s designs were worn by Hollywood stars and supermodels. He was listed as India’s “Master of fabric and fantasy” in 1996 by Time magazine.
North Korea fires banned missile
Officials in South Korea and Japan confirmed North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile flew for 86 minutes, the longest flight recorded yet. North Korea leader Kim Jong Un said the launch will show “our will to respond to our enemies” in a state media report. South Korea plans to impose new sanctions against the country because of the launch.
Europe
Crack cocaine use rising in Ireland
Data from the Health Research Board shows that the number of people seeking treatment for using crack cocaine in Ireland is rising. There were 1,201 crack cocaine treatment cases in 2023, a 594 percent increase compared to 2017. There has also been an increase in women seeking treatment for cocaine use.
Canopy collapse in Serbia leaves 14 dead
Officials in Serbia confirmed that 14 people were killed when a concrete canopy at a railway station collapsed. Three people are in a hospital, including two women who were pulled alive under the rubble hours after the collapse. The collapsed railway station was renovated in 2021 and again this year before officially opening in July.
Latin America
Former Brazil police officers jailed
Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz, two former Brazilian police officers, have been jailed for the murder of left-wing politician Marielle Franco. The politician was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2018. Lessa confessed to firing the gunshots while Queiroz admitted to being behind the wheel. Franco was a popular politician who was emerging in Brazil’s socialist party.
Lost Mexican city discovered
Archaeologists in Mexico discovered a huge, ancient Mayan city that had disappeared under jungle canopy. Officials discovered pyramids, sports fields, causeways connecting districts, and amphitheaters in the state of Campeche. The city was discovered with a laser survey that maps structures buried under vegetation.
North America
Officer found guilty in Breonna Taylor death
Brett Hankinson, a former Kentucky police officer, was found guilty of violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor. He could face up to life in prison after being convicted of using excessive force against her. Taylor, a Black woman, was shot and killed by police in her own home during a botched raid four years ago.
Shark attack in Maui
An unnamed 61-year-old surfer in Hawaii was attacked by a shark near a beach on Maui. The man lost a portion of his leg and managed to swim toward shore after the attack. He was treated onshore and taken to a hospital in critical condition. There have been eight shark attacks in Hawaii the past year.
