Africa
Burkina Faso cuts ties with France
Officials from Burkina Faso announced the country is cutting ties with France. Burkina Faso is accusing France of acting against its national interests. Relations between the countries worsened in 2022 after Capt. Ibrahim Traore seized power in a coup. Since then, the country has promoted anti-Western policies.
South African officer survives assignation attempt
Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, a suspended deputy crime intelligence boss in South Africa, was shot as he was driving home over the weekend. He was rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery, and authorities said police are investigating the shooting. Khan was arrested in May for alleged illegal gold dealing.
Asia
Pakistan targets Afghan provinces
Pakistan targeted Afghan provinces along its border, conducting airstrikes that killed 36 civilians, according to Afghanistan Taliban officials. Officials from Pakistan said the attack was in response to recent terrorist attacks against innocent people. Pakistan said 29 militants were killed in strikes targeted at their hideouts.
South Korea soccer coach resigns
Hong Myung-bo is resigning as head coach of South Korea’s men’s national soccer team after getting knocked out of the World Cup. South Korea President Lee Jae Myung called for an investigation into the team’s performance. Meanwhile, police in the country said they are watching for security threats after a death threat was made against Hong when he returned to South Korea over the weekend.
Europe
Germany Christmas market attacker jailed for life
A man who officials say drove a car through a German Christmas market in 2024 and killed six people has been jailed for life. Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen was found guilty of murder in a German court last week. Officials said he planned the attack in advance and acted primarily out of personal motives.
Former Ukrainian intelligence official convicted in Russia
A court in Ukraine has found a former high ranking Ukrainian intelligence official guilty of high treason under martial law. Col Dmytro Kozyura is accused of using a safehouse in Kyiv to communicate with Russian handlers looking for information about Ukraine’s military and leadership. Officials said Kozyura agreed to share information in exchange for financial rewards.
Latin America
Venezuela earthquakes
At least 1,450 people were killed last week because of earthquakes in Venezuela. Hospitals in Caracas told media members that they are overwhelmed with patients and running short of essential cleaning products. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man was rescued from the rubble of a building five days after earthquakes struck the country.
Woman’s body found in British man’s suitcase in Ecuador
Officials in Ecuador arrested a British man who had a woman’s body inside his suitcase. The suspect, Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith, allegedly caused the death of 36-year-old Natalia Villalba. Officials alleged that Foster-Smith beat Villalba to death before putting her body in a suitcase. He was arrested at Quito International Airport in Ecuador.
North America
Dozens of dead dogs found at California animal rescue
The remains of 117 dogs were discovered by investigators in northern California. The discovery was made after authorities excavated open fields at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, a “no-kill” shelter. Many of the dogs were found with gunshot wounds. The shelter’s owner asked the public to consider all facts and is not facing criminal charges.
Firefighters die near Colorado-Utah border
At least three firefighters were killed while battling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border. Two other firefighters suffered burns and were taken to a local hospital. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement he is devastated by the loss of the firefighters and declared a state of emergency over the weekend.
