Africa
Kenya cult leader found guilty of murders
A court in Kenya found doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie guilty of murdering 191 people. He told cult members to starve their children to death so that they could “meet Jesus.” All but one of the victims were children, and 29 other leaders of the cult were also convicted of murder.
Popular gospel singer passes
Toluwanisings, one of Nigeria’s most popular gospel singers, passed away at the age of 41. He was involved in a road accident with his band months ago. Toluwanising is known for his songs like A Very Big God, Unreserved Praise, and others.
Asia
North Korea/China open new bridge
Chin and North Korea have officially opened a new road bridge that will connect the Chinese border city of Dandong to Sinuiju in North Korea. The bridge was originally set to open in 2014 but was postponed because of relations between the two countries. China is North Korea’s most important trading partner.
Knife attack in South Korea
Police in South Korea arrested a man who stabbed eight people at a shopping center. The man, age 59, started stabbing people while traveling on an escalator. All victims were taken to a hospital, and one of them suffered from cardiac arrest. South Korea is known for its public safety standards and recorded 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people in 2024.
Europe
Pope undergoes lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung. He has since been discharged from a hospital, and his doctors said he has shown a steady improvement. Test results to check if the cancer has spread have yet to be released, and he gave the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing on Sunday.
Man stopped at German airport with dozens of reptiles
Authorities at Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany stopped a man who was smuggling more than 90 lizards and venomous snakes. The man, a 45-year-old unnamed Mexican firefighter, was bringing the animals back as a favor to an acquaintance. The animals will now be looked after at a German snake farm.
Latin America
Brazil Congress approves shortening working week
Officials in Brazil have agreed to cut the working week from 44 hours to 40 in a win for left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This will mark the biggest overhaul to workers’ rights since 1988 when Brazil returned to democracy. Employees will also be given two days off per week without salary cuts.
Officials kidnapped in Mexico
Three officials in the Mexican state of Morelos were seized by the Mexican gang Pueblos Unidos to force authorities to release a detained suspected gang member. The suspect was released, and all officials were released as well. Officials guidelines call for the lives of kidnap victims to be put first.
North America
Diddy moved to low-security facility
Rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was transferred from a New Jersey correctional facility to a low-security prison in Pennsylvania. Combs is accused of using money, power and violence to force women into unwanted sexual encounters. He was recently stripped of 41 days for good conduct after NBC News reported that he had access to phones, liquor and other contraband in prison.
Florida man killed by alligator
Police in Florida said a 71-year-old man was killed by an alligator while fishing. The alligator was 12 feet long and came up to the shoreline and attacked the man. There are 1.3 million alligators in the state, but attacks by the animal are rare.
