Africa
Protesters target new Nigerian art museum
Demonstrations took place last week at the new Museum of West African Art in Nigeria. Protesters were upset the museum was not called the Benin Royal Museum and was not under the control of the area traditional king. The museum was forced to close during a preview event ahead of its grand opening.
Arrest made in Kenya murder case
Officials announced that Robert James Purkiss, a former British soldier, was arrested in connection to the murder of Agnes Wanjiru. Her body was found in a septic tank in 2012 three months after she vanished. Wanjiru was from Kenya, and she had a five-month-old baby at the time of her death.
Asia
Thailand suspends peace deal with Cambodia
Thailand is planning to suspend its peace deal with Cambodia as tension continues between the two countries over a disputed border. Recently, Thailand soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion near the border. The next phase of the peace deal was supposed to include the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers held in Thailand.
Indonesia names former controversial president national hero
Officials in Indonesia are planning to honor former president Suharto with the national hero award. Suharto, who died in 2008, worked as president and dictator of Indonesia from the 1960s to 1990s. Historians estimate that hundreds of thousands of political dissenters were killed during that time frame.
Europe
Former French president released from prison
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was released from prison after serving three weeks of a five-year prison term. Last month, Sarkozy was found guilty of conspiring to fund his 2007 election campaign with money from former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy will be subject to strict judicial supervision and is not allowed to leave France.
British man found guilty of trying to spy for Russia
Howard Phillips, a 66-year-old British man, has been sentenced to seven years in jail for trying to spy for Russia. He was found guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act. Phillips worked to pass personal information about former Defense Secretary Grant Shapps to Russian officials.
Latin America
Inmates found dead in Ecuador prison
At least 31 inmates were found dead at a southern Ecuador prison. Police said 27 of the victims were hanged. Violence erupted over the weekend when rival gang members clashed at the prison. Ecuador’s prisons are overcrowded and have seen numerous riots and gang fights over the years.
Peru halts diplomatic ties with Mexico
Peru Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela announced the country is cutting off diplomatic relations with Mexico after Mexico granted asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez. She was imprisoned in 2023 for allegedly working to dissolve congress. Peru also accused Mexico of interfering with Peru’s international affairs over the years.
North America
MLB pitchers charged in gambling scheme
Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians, are accused of taking bribes to rig pitches they threw. The two were charged in connection to a sports betting and money laundering scheme. Both pitchers were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave over the summer because of an MLB investigation over gambling.
Deadly crash at Tampa bar
Four people were killed, and 13 others were injured when a reckless driver crashed into a bar in Tampa, Florida. The driver, a 22-year-old, as taken into custody. The site of the crash is a popular LGBTQ spot, but authorities said there isn’t evidence that the driver was targeting specific individuals or businesses.
