By: Joseph Rios 

Africa

Top Kenyan cyclist dies – Sule Kangangi, a 33-year-old cyclist for Kenya, died after crashing while participating in the Vermont Overland race on Saturday. Kangangi represented Kenya at the Tour du Rwanda contest, Commonwealth Games and All African games. He also won the men’s edition of the first gravel race held in East Africa at the Massai Mara game reserve in Kenya.

Former South Africa railway executives arrested – Brian Molefe, former CEO of South Africa’s state-owned ports and freight rail company Transnet, and Anoj Singh, who was the company’ chief financial officer, were arrested Monday. The two were linked to a multimillion-dollar fraud corruption case. Both men are facing charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.

Asia

Protests held over release of rap- ists in India – Across India, protests are being held against the government’s decision to release 11 men who were jailed for life for the gang rape of a Muslim woman. The men had served 15 years in prison and were seen meeting relatives outside the jail who gave them sweets and touched their feet to show respect. At least 100 retired civil servants wrote to the chief justice of India condemning the rapists’ release.

Pakistan seeks flood aid – Monsoon rains have killed at least 1,033 people in Pakistan. Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have contributed to a disaster appeal, but Pakistan says more funds are needed. In the province of Sindh, thousands of people have been displaced from their homes. Other parts of the coun- try have also seen large amounts of people flee. Officials blamed climate change for the heavy flooding.

Europe

Drought worsens in Spain – Recent research shows that parts of the Iberian Peninsula are their driest in 1,200 years. Extreme heat and a lack of rainfall has led to a serious drop in levels of Spain’s natural water reserves. The Global Drought Observatory recently reported that Europe is in the midst of its worst drought in 500 years. The European Forest Fire Information System said more than 270,000 hectares have been burnt this year in Spain.

UN nuclear watchdog to travel to Ukraine – The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency will travel to the Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The site has been occupied by Russian troops since March. Fighting around the site has caused global concern over the safety and security of the nuclear plant. Ukraine and Russia accused each other of shelling the area. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it must protect the safety and security of the nuclear plant.

Latin America

Last member of indigenous group in Brazil dies – Officials in Brazil announced that the last remaining member of an uncon- tacted indigenous group in Brazil died. The man had lived in total isolation for the past 26 years and was known as Man of the Hole because he dug deep holes. He was the last remaining member of an indigenous group who lived in the Tanaru indigenous area in the state of Rondônia. A majority of his tribe were likely killed by ranchers in the 1970s.

Peru sues company over oil spill

Peru’s consumer protection agency will sue Repsol, a Spanish oil firm, because of an oil spill that occurred in January. The spill left beaches blackened off the coast of Lima and was called the worst ecological disaster around the area by the country. At least 10,000 barrels were leaked into the Pacific Ocean. Respol denied responsibility and said the spill was caused by the oil tanker.

North America

U.S. warships pass through Taiwan Strait – For the first time since tensions between Taiwan and China increased, two U.S. warships passed through the Taiwan Strait. Tensions between the countries increased after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this month. The U.S. Navy said the trip through the Taiwan Strait demonstrated the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Former White House pastry chef passes – Roland Mesnier, who served as a pastry chef at the White House for five presidents, passed at the age of 78. He was first hired during Jimmy Carter’s presidency in 1979 and retired in 2004 when President George W Bush was in office. Mesnier wrote that in 27 years at the White House, he never served the same dish twice. Former first lady Hiliary Clinton tweeted that she has fond memories of Mesnier and that he will be missed. Mesnier died after suffering from a short illness.

By: Joseph Rios

Africa

Dozens dead after Algeria wildfires – At least 43 people were killed because of wildfires that swept throughout the northern part of the country. Fire officials put out more than 30 fires and arrested 13 people on suspicion of involvement in starting the fires. Around 1,000 families were forced to evacuate areas like the El Tarf region near Tunisia.
Kenya elections head to court – Kenya presidential candidate Raila Oding is going to court to challenge the country’s presidential election results. The country’s electoral commission ruled that Odinga took 48.8 percent of the vote while William Ruto’s secured 50.5 percent of votes. Four of the seven electoral commissioners recently refused to endorse the results, calling the finally tally “opaqe.”

Asia

Philippines students return to school – After almost two years of distanced learning, millions of students across the Philippines returned to in-person lessons. Less than half of the country’s public schools will implement five-day face-to-face classes. By November, all 27 million registered students are expected to head back to in-perso learning for full-time lessons.
Singapore ends ban on gay sex – Singapore is ending a ban on a law that bans gay sex, essentially making it legal to be homosexual. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the decision on national television. LGBT activists in Singapore called the end of the law a win for humanity. Singapore is known for being conservative and joins other countries like India, Taiwan and Thailand who have moved on LGBT rights.

Europe

Russia seeks military recruits – Russian military officials are ramping up efforts to recruit soldiers to the Russia army. Recruiters are urging Russians to sign shortterm contracts with the military to fight in Ukraine on channels like social media, television and billboards. Approximately 70,000 to 80,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the country invaded Ukraine six months ago.

Third heatwave in Portugal – Officials in Portugal sent a text warning about extreme risk of wildfires as the country faces a third heatwave. Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees with strong winds in the coming days. Rural areas were warned to not start any fires. Access to forests has also been restricted. So far this year, 92,000 hectares of land have already burned in Portugal.

Latin America

Heart of Brazil emperor returns to country – The heart of Dom Pedro I, Brazil’s first emperor, will go on public display at the foreign ministry in Brasilia. It was returned to the country on a military plane from Portugal. Brazilian officials plan to host a cannon salute, a guard of honor and full military honors for the heart. Pedro was born in 1789 and issued Brazil’s declaration of independence in 1822.
Former Mexico attorney general arrested – Jesus Murillo Karam has been charged with forced disappearance, torture and obstruction of justice in connection to the disappearance of 43 students. The students disappeared in 2014 while traveling on a bus through the city of Iguala to go protest in Mexico City. Karam led a controversial investigation into what happened to the students. His findings were criticized by independent experts and loved ones of the missing students.

North America

Arkansas officers suspended – Three Arkansas police officers were suspended after a video showed them pinning a suspect to the ground and repeatedly beating him. One officer kneed the man in the back repeatedly and while another bashed his head against the pavement. The video of the incident has been viewed millions of times across social media.
South Korea/U.S. host joint military exercises – South Korea and the United States are hosting large joint military exercises on the Korean Peninsula. It is the first time in four years the countries will run field exercises to practice how they would respond to a North Korea attack. The exercises haven’t occurred since 2018 when they were canceled as the countries tried to convince North Korea to get rid of its nuclear weapons. This year, North Korea has fired more missiles than in any other single year.