Africa
South Africa police chief charged with sex offenses
Officials in South Africa have charged Deputy Police Chief Shadrack Sibiya with charges related to allegations that he sexually groomed a 16-year-old and raped an 18-year-old woman. He is also facing a trafficking charge and denied all charges. Sibiya resigned three weeks after he was charged.
Drone attack kills dozens in Blue Nile region
At least 41 people were killed by a strike by the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary force in Sudan. The attack targeted a camp where displaced people are staying. Initial reports suggest that most of the victims were women and children. The camp was located in the Blue Nile region near Ethiopia.
Asia
Flooding hits Nepal
Several homes, bridges and part of a hydropower station were destroyed from flooding in Nepal. Authorities rescued 95 people, but five others are still missing. Nepal officials are using helicopters for search and rescue efforts. It is unknown what caused the flood, but it may have started due to a landslide that blocked the river or its tributary.
Orangutans released back into Indonesia wild
Officials have released eight orangutans back into the wild in Indonesia after caring for them while their habitat was threatened by wildfires. In recent months, officials rescued 46 orangutans. Wildfire risk was more intense this year because of the El Niño ocean warming that makes weather more intense.
Europe
Pope Leo set for surgery
Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery after an early-stage lung nodule was found on his lung. The mass was “well contained” and caught during an early stage. The Pope is expected to take a week to recover, and the operation will occur at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
Teen arrested after shooting teacher/principal
Officials in southern France arrested a 14-year-old who allegedly opened fire on staff. A principal and teacher were treated for injuries, but neither injury was life threatening. The student was restrained by a staff member in a school corridor and taken into police custody.
Latin America
Strong earthquake strikes Panama
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Panama last week, damaging numerous buildings. Officials have not reported any casualties, and several large aftershocks were reported after the initial earthquake. Officials confirmed that The Panama Canal was not affected by the earthquake.
Colombian man arrested, accused of laundering money
The United States has detained Alvaro Pulido, a 62-year-old Colombian man who was wanted over money laundering. He was charged in two separate federal indictments involving “the alleged laundering of more than $2 billion” in connection with Venezuelan government bribery schemes. Pulido was wanted for $10 million.
North America
New White House press secretary selected
Conservative commentator Katie Zacharia is set to be the next White House press secretary. She will become President Donald Trump’s sixth chief spokesperson across his two administrations. Trump called her loyal and “a devoted fan and member of MAGA” in a social media post. Zacharia is 42 and is frequently on Newsman and Fox News.
Shooting in Pennsylvania leaves eight people dead
At least eight people, including two children and a pregnant woman, were shot and killed in a Pennsylvania home. Officials have yet to establish a motive but said that mental health was a factor for the shooting. The shooting occurred in the city of Erie.
