Asia
This weekend, 100-year-old Japanese woman Mieko Nagaoka became the world’s first centurion to complete a 1,500 meter freestyle swim. Doing the backstroke, Najaoka set a new world record in one hour, fifteen minutes and fifty-four seconds. Nagaoka is the only internationally ranked competitor in the women’s 100-104 year age bracket for the race. Her son Hiroki told CNN, “it was awesome that my mother has challenged and accomplished her goal at her age.”
CNN
Africa
Last Thursday, a bus station exploded outside of Kano, Nigeria. Witnesses reported that this killed at least five people and injured more than a dozen others. The female suicide bomber pretended to be going to Jos and lingered around the bus, which was waiting for passengers when she pulled the trigger. “The woman kept talking on the phone and dropper her bags behind the bus, pretending to be waiting for the bus to fill up” said a local grocer near the bus station. Although no terrorist groups have claimed responsibility for the actions, Boko Haram is the number one suspect, considering their reputation of repeated suicide bombings involving women and public spaces like bus stations and markets.
CNN
Middle East
In Turkey Wednesday, nine English citizens were arrested for allegedly trying to illegally cross over into Syria. The squad included four children, the youngest being 3-years-old. The Turkish military said the group would not say why they were allegedly trying to get to Syria. The British Foreign Office said Wednesday that it was aware of reports of the arrest and that it will seek information about the incident involving the Turkish authorities.
CNN
Europe
Four Jewish families were killed in France this past week. The Israel Prime Minister gave his condolences and thousands came out to support the victims of the Kosher market siege. This isn’t the first time this has happened; in 2012, a similar attack happened in another Israeli school to Jewish Students.
CNN
North America
A cop in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. is facing charges after slapping a homeless man in February. The incident was caught on a bystander’s cellphone. Victor Ramirez, 34, smacked 58-year-old Bruce Laclair across the face, and the video was immediately up on YouTube. Laclair’s attorney said he and his client agree with the charges. “Bruce is very pleased that the appropriate actions has been taken,” said the attorney. However he told media he is undecided whether or not they will go forward with the civil case.
Channel 7 Miami Action News
South America
The Villarrica Volcano was puffing smoke over the weekend, and Chilean residents were confused by the eruption of warning sirens. The small town of Pucón is located near the volcano, which erupted last month, prompting Pucón’s temporary evacuation. The mayor of the city ordered the firefighters to ring the sirens to alert people of the threat. However, many residents said they feel as thought the mayor “cried wolf” and that state of emergency monitoring the volcano was exaggerated, considering there was no eruption.
BBC News
Washington
Obama this week said he recognizes the concerns raised by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamine Netanyahu over the United State’s continued support for Israeli in fear of the US-Iran Nuclear program. Obama said that Iran and the rest of the region should know that “if anyone messes with Israel, America will be there.”
BBC News
Pittsburgh
Gas prices in the Pittsburgh area dropped slightly this past week according to GasBuddy.com. A survey of over 700 gas stations found that the prices went down .5 cents per gallon, averaging to $2.56 per gallon on Sunday. Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst of GasBuddy said in his recent online announcement that he will expect the fuel prices to be lower than they were in the summer of 2010. The national prices went down on average 3 cents this last week alone.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
