Africa
South Africa/Russia to strengthen military relations – Top officials from South Africa and Russia agreed to boost military cooperation. The news came shortly after the United States Ambassador to Pretoria and Reuben Brigety accused South Africa of supplying arms and ammunition to Russia. South Africa denied the accusations, and its presidents ordered an inquiry to investigate the allegations.
Kenya meets herders after lion deaths – Kenyan government officials visited herder communities after 11 lions were killed after attacking livestock. Officials said they are working to ensure pending claims by the community seeking compensation for wildlife attacks were settled. The death of the lions was seen as a blow to conservation efforts and Kenya’s tourism industry. People who live near game parks and nature reserves often complain that lions and other animals kill livestock and domestic animals.
Asia
Thailand elections deliver surprising results – Thailand voters voted in favor of an opposition party, delivering a blow to the army-backed government. Move Forward, the opposition party, is expected to win a high amount of seats in Thailand’s lower house government. The election has been called a political earthquake by analysts, and many Thais fear the military and its supporters may try to block the winning parties from taking office.
Violence in Pakistan – Last week, about 1,400 people were arrested during protests while eight people died. The demonstrations occurred after former Prime Minister Imran Khan pleaded not guilty to corruption. Khan’s arrest increased tensions between him and the military. If convicted, Khan will be disqualified from standing for office with elections taking place later this year. There have been over 100 corruption cases registered against Khan since he left office in 2022.
Europe
Turkey presidential race goes to runoff – Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a runoff vote. Erdogan secured 49.51 percent of the vote in the first round while Kilicdaroglu polled 44.8 percent. During the runoff vote, Erdogan will need more than half the vote to win the race outright. He is the clear favorite to win the election, and the second round vote will take place on May 28.
Swiss village evacuated due to rockslide fear – Residents at Brienz, a Swiss village, were evacuated due to the risk of a rockslide. The village is home to fewer than 100 people, and they were given 48 hours to pack and abandon their homes. Around two million cubic meters of rock is coming loose from the mountain above the village. The area is considered a geological risk and is built on land that is subsiding down toward a valley. The safety of some mountain communities has come into question because of global warming changes.
Latin America
Brazil “Queen of Rock” dies – Rita Lee, known as Brazil’s “Queen of Rock” has passed away at the age of 75. She was part of the Os Mutantes, one of Brazil’s most influential rock bands and released the Brazilian music classic album “Fruto Proibido” with the Tutti Frutti band. Lee was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and died in her home. Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva celebrated the artist in a tweet in which he sent her family his condolences.
Bolsonaro’s home searched by police – Police in Brasilia searched the home of former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro. The search was part of an investigation into his COVID vaccination records. Police believe Bolsonaro’s vaccination record was forged so he could enter the United States. Bolsonaro’s phone was seized and some of his close aids were arrested during the operation. He has denied any wrongdoing.
North America
Florida professor breaks record while living underwater – Joseph Dituri, a United States researcher, broke the record for the longest time spent living underwater without depressurization. He spent more than 74 days at the bottom of a 30 foot deep lagoon in Key Largo, Florida. Dituri is studying how the human body reacts to long-term exposure to extreme pressure and said he wants to stay for 100 days. His health, along with the psychological effects of being isolated and confined, are being studied by researchers.
Teenage migrant dies in U.S. custody – Ángel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza, a 17-year-old migrant from Honduras, died while in American government custody. He died at a shelter facility in Florida, and his death was acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Honduras officials said they were in contact with the teenager’s family and called for an investigation into the circumstances of his death. Espinoza had been in custody for five days and was found unconscious before being taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
