Rorisang Modiba delivers daily updates from around the world.
Eswatini – Pudemo, the main opposition party in Eswatini, alleges that its leader, Mlungisi Makhanya, was poisoned in an assassination attempt while in South Africa. Makhanya, who is under security protection, was hospitalised following the alleged incident. He had recently announced plans for new pro-democracy protests. The Eswatini government denies any involvement. Last year, human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko was assassinated, an incident for which the government also denies responsibility.
China – Scientists have identified a 3,600-year-old necklace from a mummy in China’s Xiaohe Cemetery as the world’s oldest cheese. Initially thought to be jewellery, the substance was discovered to be kefir cheese made from fermented milk. Paleogeneticist Qiaomei Fu and her team found evidence of both goat and cow’s milk in the cheese after analysing its DNA.
India – At least 46 people, primarily children, drowned during the Hindu festival of Jivitputrika Vrat in India. The deaths occurred across 15 districts in Bihar, with 37 children and seven women among the victims. The festival involves women fasting and bathing in bodies of water, many of which were swollen by recent floods. The Bihar government has offered compensation to the families of the victims. Experts link the rise in extreme weather events to climate change, deforestation, and development projects.
US – Donald Trump has agreed to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower. Trump previously criticised Zelensky for failing to make peace with Russia and questioned the extensive US aid to Ukraine. This meeting comes amid rising tensions between Zelensky and Republicans, with Trump referring to Zelensky as the “greatest salesman on Earth.” Meanwhile, Zelensky met with President Biden, who announced a new $7.9 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
Pictured above: Mlungisi Makhanya.
Source: X
