Africa
Namibia swears in first woman president
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first woman president last week. She will be tasked with leading the country that is facing high rates of unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Nandi-Ndaitwah won 58% of the vote and has been a long-term loyalist of the South West Africa People’s Organization.
Kenyan police officers killed
At least six Kenyan police personnel were killed in north-east Kenya. The incident occurred after assailants attacked a base near the country’s border with Somalia. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident, but officials noted that the attack followed a pattern of raids by the militant group al-Shabab.
Asia
Wildfires continue in South Korea
Firefighters in South Korea are battling deadly forest fires that have left at least two people killed. Hundreds of people were also forced to leave their homes, and strong winds have hampered efforts to combat the fires. Officials issued a serious wildfire warning in 12 locations throughout the country.
Three men sentenced to death in India for 1981 murders
A court in India has sentenced three men to death for their involvement in the 1981 murder of 24 people. The incident involved 17 men who wore police uniforms and shot villagers. The men who were found guilty said they were innocent and can appeal against the sentencing in a higher court.
Europe
Russia missile hits Ukraine hospital
Officials in Ukraine said Russian strikes have hit a hospital, homes, and children’s institutions in recent attacks. At least 28 people were injured, including four children. Meanwhile, the Russian military said they intercepted 28 Ukrainian drones. The United States and Russia are meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible peace deal in Ukraine.
Pope discharged from hospital
Pope Francis has been discharged from a hospital where he faced “two very critical episodes.” The Pope no longer has pneumonia but is not completely healed, doctors said. He had been in the hospital since Feb. 14, and doctors said he will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican.
Latin America
Colombia police arrest alleged mafia boss
Police in Colombia have arrested Emanuele Gregorini, who described him as “the head of the Italian mafia Latin America.” Gregorini is accused of coordinating the shipment of large cocaine cargos from Latin America to Europe before he was arrested in Colombia. He has been on the run since 2023 and is accused of being a key figure in the “Lombardy mafia system.”
12 killed in plane crash in Honduras
An aircraft crashed into the sea off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, leaving at least 12 people dead. One person is still missing, and officials said five others were rescued. It is unknown what caused the crash, and the Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency is investigating the incident.
North America
Republican congresswoman passes
Mia Love, a daughter of Haitian immigrants who became the first US Black Republican congresswoman, has passed away from brain cancer. She was 49 and had represented the state of Utah in the House of Representatives. Throughout her career, Love served on Saratoga Springs City Council and worked as mayor. She was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2014.
23andMe files for bankruptcy
23andMe, a popular DNA testing company, filed for bankruptcy protection and will now work to sell itself under the supervision of a court. The company said there are no changes to the way it stores, manages, or protects customer data. Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe, is also planning to resign from the company.
