Africa
Tanzania struggles with Marburg virus outbreak
Officials in Tanzania confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus. The virus is similar to Ebola and include symptoms like fever, muscle pains, diarrhea, vomiting, and in extreme cases, death. Last week, the World Health Organization, (WHO) reported nine suspected cases and eight deaths from the virus.
Ghana miners shot and killed
Ghana’s army said at least seven people were killed during a clash with soldiers on duty at a mine. Officials said around 60 illegal miners were armed with weapons like “pump action guns” and forced their way into a mine run by a global company. They then allegedly shot at the soldiers, the army said. The miners denied that they were armed.
Asia
Man executed in China for car attack
Chinese media said the country has executed a man who was found guilty of killing at least 35 people in a car attack last November. The man, Fan Weiqiu, also injured dozens of others during the attack. Reports suggest Fan was originally angered over how his property had been divided following his divorce.
Man arrested in India, accused of stabbing actor
Saif Ali Khan, one of India’s biggest actors, was stabbed by an intruder at his home. A suspect was arrested by police, and Khan is recovering after surgery. The attack occurred in Mumbai, one of India’s most populated cities. The incident has raised some questions about safety and security in the city.
Europe
Russia/Iran agree to closer military co-operation
Following a visit to Moscow by Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russia and Iran have reached a new “strategic partnership” agreement. The treaty includes subjects like defense, technology, energy, and trade. Russia has worked to strengthen relationships with countries like Iran, China and North Korea since invading Ukraine in 2022.
Croatia deputy prime minister resigns
Croatia Deputy Prime Minister Josip Dabro has resigned from his position after a video showed him shooting randomly from a moving car. The video showed him laughing and singing along to loud music in the car before picking up a pistol and shooting through an open window. Dabro is part of the hard-right nationalist party, Homeland Movement.
Latin America
Cuba releases activist from jail
Jose Daniel Ferrer, who spent more than three years in jail, has been released as part of a deal between Cuba and the United States. He is a leading Cuban dissident and activist. As part of the deal, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden removed Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Cuba said it would free 553 people, many of which were arrested during anti-government protests, in return.
Displaced Haiti people on the rise
A new report from the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration said the number of people internally displaced in Haiti has tripled to more than one million. Haiti has faced severe challenges with gang violence, which claimed the lives of over 5,600 people last year. Around half of the people who are displaced are children.
North America
TikTok restores service after brief shutdown
Social media app TikTok is back online after it was shutdown this past Saturday evening because of a law banning it on national security grounds. Incoming President Donald Trump, who previously wanted the app banned, promised to delay implementation of the law. Shortly after, TikTok restored service for its 170 million users in the United States.
Menendez brothers hearing delayed
A hearing regarding the infamous Menendez brothers has been delayed until March because of fires across the Los Angeles region. The hearing will determine whether the brothers should be resentenced more than 30 years after killing their parents. The incident occurred in 1989 when Lyles and Erik Menendez shot and killed their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez.
