Africa
Former Kenya official blocked from entering Uganda
Martha Karua, a leading Kenyan lawyer and former justice minister, was restricted from entering Uganda and told to go home. She is representing detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who is on trial for treason. Karua’s office said she is unreachable, and her mobile phones are turned off.
Gunmen attack Niger airport
At least 35 people were killed in Niger after gunmen attacked an airport. An al-Qaeda affiliate claimed responsibility for the attack. Earlier this year, an organization linked to the Islamic State group also attacked the Diori Hamani international airport. Authorities are now searching for any remaining attackers.
Asia
Philippines high school shooting leaves three dead
Police in central Philippines said three students were killed and others injured after two students opened fire. The suspects, aged 14 and 15, were allegedly motivated by a grudge over bullying. Police said red flags in the teens’ behavior were missed prior to the attack. School shootings are extremely rare in the Philippines.
Australia confirms H5N1 bird flu case
For the first time, the H5N1 strain of bird flu has been detected in Australia, confirming the highly contagious variant has now reached every continent. Officials found the disease in a migratory seabird in Western Australia. Human cases related to the disease are uncommon, but the strain is known to quickly spread among poultry and wild bird populations.
Europe
France deals with high temperatures
Hundreds of schools in France are closing early because of heat while another 1,800 schools are allowing students to finish classes early. Temperatures reached more than 104F recently in the country. Meanwhile, officials have also told residents to avoid or postpone train travel this week. Other countries like Germany and Switzerland are also seeing increased temperatures.
Morocco soccer captain to stand trial for rape
Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s men’s soccer team captain, will stand trial for a rape case in France. He is accused of raping a woman at his home in Paris in 2023. Hakimi is currently playing for Morocco in the World Cup and has consistently denied the allegations. A court date has yet to be set.
Latin America
Bolivia declares state of emergency
Bolivia President Rodrigo Paz has declared a state of emergency as protests demanding his resignation continue. The move allows him to have more powers to clear roads blocked by demonstrators. Protests have caused shortages of basic goods, impacting large parts of the country. Demonstrators are calling for fuel subsidies to be reinstated and a rollback of austerity measures.
Bolsonaro’s son convicted
Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of jailed former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has been convicted for pursuing US intervention during his father’s trial. In the past, Bolsonaro publicly lobbied for support for his father from the Trump administration. The former president was convicted for a failed coup attempt. Bolsonaro was sentenced in absentia to four years and two months in prison.
North America
Director James Burrows passes
James Burrows, known as co-creator of the sitcom Cheers, has died at the age of 85. He directed more than 1,000 episodes of other popular sitcoms, including Friends, Big Bang Theory, and Will and Grace. Throughout his career, Burrows won 11 Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards.
Repairs for Reflecting Pool to begin “immediately”
The Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC is set to undergo repairs after a recent multi-million-dollar renovation. The updates to the pool included a fresh coat of blue paint, but algae turned the water into a bright shade of green. The Reflecting Pool was built in the 1920s and sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
