Africa
As South Sudan continues its yearlong civil war, the country’s people are more hungry and desperate than ever before. On Tuesday, over 26,000 people were pushed to find sanctuary in the United Nations (UN) facilities. There is an estimated 1.5 million more South Sudanese people elsewhere in the country. Last week, Toby Lanzer, UN humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, concluded the reason behind the disruptions of agriculture and food production could be because “the country’s farmers and herders may be too afraid to work.”
The New York Times
Asia
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton angered China this past Monday. Clinton tweeted, “The detention of women’s activists in #China must end. This is inexcusable.” The tweet addressed the five activists arrested in China for protesting women’s issues. The women were accused of provoking social instability. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman stated on Tuesday, “We hope that public figures in other countries can respect China’s judicial sovereignty and independence.” This isn’t the first time Clinton has criticized China’s human rights policy. Back as U.S. Secretary of State, Clinton spoke at the UN’s 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, saying, “Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.”
CNN
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced this week that his country is facing “a drug epidemic” and that he is establishing a national task force. The task force is going to be used to tackle the growing use of crystal methamphetamine. According to an Australia Crime Commission report in March, crystal meth posed the highest risk to the communities out of any other illegal drug or substance. In 2013, the National Drug Strategy Household Survey revealed that 7 percent of Australian 14-year olds have reported using crystal meth at least once.
BBC News
Europe
Denmark’s nonprofit sex education group Sex and Society began teaching students not only about how to prevent getting pregnant, but also how pregnancy is a positive thing. In recent years, Denmark, much like other European counties, has had increasingly low birthrates.
New York Times
Middle East
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told BBC he cautioned against the primary agreement on his country’s nuclear program, that there is no “guarantee” of a final deal with the world powers. Last week, the U.S. and Iran reached an agreement on the underlying framework issues. Hours after the agreement of frameworks made, on April 9, Khamenei tweeted about the deals. The tweet read, “Hours after the talks, Americans offered a fact sheet that most of it was contrary to what was agreed. They always deceive and breach promises.”
BBC News
North America
After long hours of debates, jurors finally reached their verdict on Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Tsarnaev was found guilty on all 30 charges in relation to the attack. The trial is set to go into the second phase; same jury will determine whether or not Tsarnaev will receive the death penalty.
The New York Times
South America
In Cuba Wednesday, a group of anti-Castro Cubans were planting seeds at the foot of Cuban patriarch Jose Marti’s bust when they were confronted by pro-Castro supporters. Cuban News showed images of the two parties breaking out in brawls. The pro-government activists shouted “terrorists” and “assassins” at their rivals as they ran down the streets. Spokesperson Marie Haft of the US State Department said in a statement, “We condemn those who use violence against peaceful protesters.”
The Washington Post
Washington
Two more candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the 2016 presidential race, Hilary Clinton and Marco Rubio. Rubio joins fellow Republicans Ted Cruz and Rand Paul in the race for their party’s nomination.
The New York Times
