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0 Africa
Kenyan woman sentenced to death in Vietnam
A 37-year-old Kenyan woman, Margaret Nduta, has been sentenced to death in Vietnam after being convicted of drug trafficking. The ruling was handed down by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City on March 6, following her arrest in July 2023 for smuggling more than two kilograms of cocaine through a local airport. Nduta passed undetected through three major international airports—Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya, Bole International Airport in Ethiopia, and Hamad International Airport in Qatar—before being caught in Vietnam. Read more here .
Women leading Africa’s tech revolution
Cameroon-based Data Girl Technologies is transforming the tech industry by empowering young African women with coding education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Co-founder Eposi Frida emphasised the importance of equipping women with the necessary skills to secure jobs or launch their own businesses. Read more here .
Burundi’s first plastic surgeon
Dr. Clovis Paulin Baramburiye, Burundi’s first plastic and reconstructive surgeon, is providing critical medical care in a country with limited access to specialized surgical procedures. After years of training in China, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, he now serves as a consultant at the University Hospital while teaching at the University of Burundi. His work includes reconstructive procedures for burn victims, cleft lip corrections, and treating severe infections. Read more here .
Latin America
Secret crematorium in Mexico
Authorities in Jalisco, Mexico, discovered a secret crematorium containing 200 pairs of shoes and burned human remains, raising concerns that it was used to dispose of missing persons. The discovery was made by Warrior Searchers of Jalisco, a group of families searching for their loved ones. The site is believed to have been operated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, notorious for its involvement in drug and human trafficking. Read more here .
Cuba’s electrical grid collapses
Cuba’s national electrical grid failed late on Friday, plunging the country into darkness. A failure at an electrical substation in Havana knocked out power to a large part of western Cuba, including the capital. Reports indicate that much of the country’s 10 million residents were affected. Read more here .
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits Southern Mexico
A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Oaxaca, Mexico, triggering seismic alarms in the capital, Mexico City. The earthquake occurred near San Miguel Achiutla at a depth of 64 km. Authorities activated emergency protocols, but no major damage or casualties have been reported. Read more here .
Asia
Chad, Bangladesh, and Pakistan ranked world’s most polluted countries
A new IQAir report found that air pollution remains a severe issue, with Chad, Bangladesh, and Pakistan ranking as the most polluted countries in 2024. Chad’s air pollution level is more than 18 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safety limit, followed by Bangladesh and Pakistan, which exceed the threshold by over 15 and 14 times, respectively. Read more here .
Pakistan’s ambassador deported from the US
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan , KK Ahsan Wagan, was denied entry into the United States and sent back from Los Angeles airport despite having a valid visa. US immigration officials cited controversial visa references as the reason for his deportation. Read more here .
Former Philippine President Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity
Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, was arrested at Manila’s international airport upon his return from Hong Kong. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest, citing crimes against humanity related to his violent anti-drug campaign, which led to an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 deaths. Read more here .
