Africa
Serial rapist sentenced in South Africa
A judge in South Africa sentenced a serial rapist to 42 life sentences. Nkosinathi Phakathi, a South African resident, was convicted of 90 counts of rape. The attacks occurred between 2012 and 2021, and the judge said he showed no remorse and was beyond rehabilitation.
Mpox test approved
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved a diagnostic test for mpox, previously known as monkeypox. The test could help Africa as it continues to struggle with limited testing capacity and delays in confirmed cases. This year, there have been 30,000 suspected mpox cases reported in Africa.
Asia
India minister prepares for Pakistan visit
For the first time in nearly 10 years, a high-ranking Indian minister will visit Pakistan. India Foreign Minister. S Jaishankar is set to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Pakistan this month. Relations between India and Pakistan have been tense for years. The countries have fought three wars against each other since 1947.
Taiwan fire kills nine
A fire at a hospital in Taiwan killed nine people. Wet and windy weather complicated efforts to combat the fire, and it is unknown what caused the incident, although some reports suggested the building had electrical issues. Some 300 patients were evacuated.
Europe
Italian tennis star passes
Lea Pericoli, who was regarded as one of Italy’s top tennis players, passed away at the age of 89. She reached the last 16 of the French Open twice and the Wimbledon championships three times. Pericoli was also known as a style icon and often wore outfits with feather and fur. She also worked as a television presenter and journalist.
Russia claims key Ukraine city
Russian forces have taken control over the Ukrainian city of Vuhledar. The country has tried to capture the city since 2022 in order to advance north and reach regional transportation hubs. Images surfaced of Russian soldiers with flags on rooftops of different buildings throughout Vuhledar.
Latin America
Dozens killed by Haitian gang
At least 70 people were killed in Haiti by the Gran Grif gang. Among the victims included children and 16 others who are seriously injured. The gang also set fire to at least 45 houses and 24 vehicles. Last year, the Gran Grif gang was accused of killing six police officers and was blamed for forcing a hospital to close that served more than 700,000 people.
Thousands of migrants to be deported
The Dominican Republic is planning to deport up to 10,000 undocumented migrants a week. Many of the migrants are Haitians who fled across the border into the Dominican Republic. Last year, the Dominican Republic forcibly returned more than 200,000 people to Haiti.
North America
Child dies from rabies in Canada
In Canada, a child died from rabies after being exposed to a bat in their bedroom. It is the first domestically-acquired human rabies case in Ontario since 1967. Officials said the percentage of bats with rabies in the southern Ontario region has increased to 16 percent in recent years.
Garth Brooks accused of rape
Country singer Garth Brooks was accused of rape, sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit. The woman who filed the lawsuit worked as a hairstylist and makeup artist for Brooks when he raped her, the lawsuit alleges. Brooks denied the allegations, calling them repulsive and untrue.
