Recap: April 18 – 24
South Sudan gunmen attack in Ethiopia, Kabul attack claimed by the Taliban, deadly Houston floods, Tubman to be on the $20 bill and more in this week’s recap.
Apr 24, 2016
International Affairs
“The death toll from a raid carried out by attackers from South Sudan in western Ethiopia has risen to 208 people, an Ethiopian official said, adding that 108 children were kidnapped. […] The attack happened on Friday in the Horn of Africa nation’s Gambela region which, alongside a neighbouring province, hosts more than 284,000 South Sudanese refugees who have fled a conflict in that country. [Government spokesman Getachew Reda] earlier told Al Jazeera that Ethiopian forces had killed 60 of the attackers and would cross the border into South Sudan to pursue the assailants if necessary. ”
“At least 28 people have been killed and more than 320 wounded in an attack in Kabul. The assault targeted a key government security agency and included a suicide car bombing and an offensive by armed militants. The Taliban has claimed responsibility. The attack hit at about 9 a.m. local time, during morning rush hour — one reason there are so many casualties, NPR’s Philip Reeves reports. It comes about a week after the Taliban announced the start of their spring offensive.”
“Seven-time Grammy winner Prince, who was known for megahits like “When Doves Cry” and “Purple Rain,” has died at the age of 57. Prince was found dead in the elevator of his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minn. on Thursday. Deputies and medical personnel found the music icon unresponsive when they arrived at his home and they performed CPR but it was unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at 10:07 a.m. local time.”
“A total of 175 countries have signed the Paris climate agreement at the United Nations in New York City, a record for a one-day signing of an international accord, the UN says. French President Francois Hollande and Canada’s Justin Trudeau joined US Secretary of State John Kerry for the record turnout that has boosted hopes of quick action on combating global warming. ‘This is a moment in history,’ UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. ‘Today you are signing a new covenant with the future.'”
“North Korea says it has successfully test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine and strengthened its nuclear attack capabilities. Hours before the announcement by North Korea’s state media Sunday, South Korean military officials said the North had fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile from a submarine off its eastern coast. While South Korean experts say it’s unlikely that North Korea currently possesses an operational submarine that can fire multiple missiles, they acknowledge that the North is making progress on such technology.”
Domestic Affairs
“At least five people have been killed in flooding that has covered the Houston region, officials said Monday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people and knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses. ‘This is a life-threatening emergency,’ the city said on an emergency website. ‘Houston residents should avoid travel at all costs today.'”
“Criminal charges against three men in Michigan on Wednesday marked a milestone in a crisis that’s been years in the making, potentially harmed tens of thousands of people and cast a harsh spotlight on infrastructure issues across the country. Mike Glasgow, Stephen Busch and Mike Prysby could face years of prison time if they’re convicted. They’re the first government employees to face charges tied to the Flint water crisis.”
“Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew on Wednesday announced the most sweeping and historically symbolic makeover of American currency in a century, proposing to replace the slaveholding Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with Harriet Tubman, the former slave and abolitionist, and to add women and civil rights leaders to the $5 and $10 notes.”
“President Barack Obama is on a global tour, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Britain and Germany. He’s hoping to extract greater commitments from European and Mideast allies to go after ISIS, while stabilizing the region through increased financial aid.”
“Officials confirmed on Saturday that a boat found last month off the coast of Bermuda is the one that belonged to two Florida teens who went missing at sea in July. A cell phone and plastic tackle boxes were among the items found on board the boat. Due to a marine supply store sticker and engine serial number, authorities were able to identify it as the boat on which 14-year-old Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos had embarked on a fishing trip before getting caught in severe weather, CNN reported.”
“What started as a would-be arrest at a Kansas motel ended with four federal agents shot and the motel engulfed in flames. Officers from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Forces were trying to find a suspect Saturday night at the Country Club Motel, Topeka police Lt. Colleen Stuart said. But when they reached the motel, someone opened fire and struck two U.S. marshals, an FBI agent and a fourth federal agent, Stuart said. It was not immediately clear which agency the fourth agent belonged to. None of their injuries is considered life-threatening, she said.”
