The most ground breaking, world shaking events from this past week of May 31st - June 7, 2016.
World
This Monday, June 6th, marked the beginning of Ramadan in the UAE and other Gulf countries. The new moon was spotted by the Official High Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening. Ramadan marks a month of fasting for Muslims, who will not touch food or water from dawn until dusk until Eid Al Fitr on July 7th.
Africa
The daughter of Angola’s president, Isabel dos Santos, has been appointed by her father, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, as the head of the state oil company Sonangol. Ms. Dos Santos, named by Forbes magazine as Africa’s richest woman states categorically that her wealth does not come from the state. Dos Santos takes the job after her father fired the entire board of the company in April. Angola, alongside Nigeria, is the highest oil producing country on the continent.
Kenya
Protests in Kisumu turned deadly on Monday, as reports assert at least 2 people died and five were seriously injured during one of the now weekly demonstrations held against the electoral commission. Similar protest were held in Nairobi and passed peacefully. Nairobi’s Police Chief, Japheth Koome, had previously warned citizens not to take part in the protest “if you value your life, ” stating that police were prepared to use lethal force if necessary. However on Monday morning Judge Joseph Onguto overruled the statement saying the Cord alliance had the right to picket. The Cord alliance, led by former PM Raila Odinga, says the current electoral commission is biased and wants them replaced.
Sport
Sport legend Muhammad Ali died at the age of 74 this Friday, June 3rd in Arizona. After decades of fighting Parkinson’s disease Ali died of septic shock after being hospitalized on Monday, 29th of May. Muhammad Ali was a world-renowned champion boxer, a civil rights pioneer and an iconic figure, known for his creative and inspiring speeches as much as his athletic talent.
Politics
Late Monday Evening the Associated Press announced that Hilary Clinton is the presumptive Democratic nominee for the US 2016 Presidential election after tallying votes from delegates. Hilary Clinton is the first women to take this distinction in the country’s history. Rival Bernie Sanders dismissed the claim and Clinton herself issued a statement saying she was “flattered”, by the projection but “we’ve still got primaries to win.”
Technology and Science
50 hackers were arrested throughout the country of Russia for using Malware technology to steal more then 1.7 billion roubles ( $25 million). The gang seeded various websites with the Malware to hack into victim’s PCs and then into their bank accounts. The raids were carried out in 15 different regions across the country and it is believed to be the largest arrest for computer crime in Russia.
Business
Last week the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that the board of Dell. Inc Computers sold the company for 6 billion dollars too little when the formerly public company was bought in a private buyout by Michael Dell in 2013. The move has caused considerable concern amongst corporate America and the players on Wall Street as it heralds the very first time the court has been able to ‘overrule’ the market. The move has a broad implication for corporate takeovers across the US.
Human Rights
This week saw the conclusion of highly controversial case between former Stanford University student Brock Turner, convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster in January, 2015. The judge in the case sentenced Turner to only 6 months out of a possible 14 years maximum sentence. This action has prompted media outrage, with media outlets from Buzzfeed to CNN covering the victim’s letter, addressed to the defendant in court. Judge Aaron Persky of the Santa Clara County Superior court is now facing a recall campaign for his light sentencing and alleged dismissive treatment of the case.
Arts and Entertainment
Nollywood Actress Henrietta Kosoko died, aged 53, on Monday from complications of her diabetic condition. Kosoko began her career in the celebrated 1995 yoruba film ‘Omolade’ and had a successful career in both film and television. Kosoko was formerly the president of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, ANTP. Jide Kosoko, the actresses husband and a very popular Nollywood actor, confirmed the death on his facebook page.
Nature
The mother of the 3 year old boy who fell into Harambee the Gorilla’s enclosure at the Cincinatti Zoo last week will not be charged on any counts, states prosecutors from Ohio State. The incident, which resulted in zoo keepers having to kill Harambee, a critically endangered Western Lowland Gorilla, spurred allegations of criminal neglect against both the Cincinatti Zoo and the boy’s mother Michelle Gregg. The extreme visibility of the case led over a million individuals to sign the petition accusing Ms.Gregg ‘unacceptable’ behaviour after her son fell over 15 feet into the Gorilla enclosure. Harambee had turned 17 the day before, the Gregg family have expressed their regret for the death of the rare creature.
