Rorisang Modiba delivers daily updates from around the world.
USA – President Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 election, setting her up to challenge Donald Trump. Powerful Democrats quickly backed her, and donor support increased. Born to immigrant parents in Oakland, California, Harris has a strong civil rights background. She became San Francisco’s first female district attorney in 2004, and then California’s attorney general. Harris launched a presidential campaign in 2019 but withdrew due to financial issues. Now, with Biden’s endorsement, she is set for the 2024 Democratic nomination.
Germany – Rico Krieger, a German citizen, has been sentenced to death in Belarus for terrorism and mercenary activities according to the human rights group Viasna. Krieger, a 29-year-old former German Red Cross employee and US Embassy security officer was sentenced on 24 June by the Minsk Regional Court. He was charged with mercenary activity, terrorism, and illegal actions related to firearms. Krieger was found guilty of organising an explosion to influence authorities and destabilise public order.
India – A 14-year-old boy in Kerala, India, has died from the Nipah virus, which has no cure or vaccine and causes a lethal, brain-swelling fever. Sixty people who had contact with him are now considered “high risk”. Dr Anoop Kumar from Aster MIMS Hospital said there’s a low chance of an outbreak, but the situation will be monitored for the next seven to 10 days. Isolation wards have been set up, and family members and other at-risk individuals are being monitored or asked to isolate. Nipah, originating from fruit bats, has caused deaths in Kerala since 2018 and was first identified in Malaysia 25 years ago.
Idaho – Payton McGriff, inspired by the book Half the Sky during her sophomore year at the University of Idaho, decided to help girls get an education in developing countries. Shocked by the fact that 129 million girls worldwide are not in school, she learned that uniforms are a major expense that keeps girls out of school. McGriff founded the nonprofit Style Her Empowered (SHE). Her organisation provides 1,500 girls annually in Togo with free uniforms, school fees, supplies, and tutoring, significantly reducing dropout rates and absenteeism.
Pictured above: Kamala Harris.
Source: Instagram
