London, England: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for the wife of an American diplomat that was involved in a crash that killed a teenager to return to Britain to stand trial. British authorities have been pressuring the US to intervene in the investigation, after the suspect, who has diplomatic immunity left the country after telling British authorities she would not. Johnson has argued that diplomatic immunity should not be in place in this case.
Original article by Iliana Magra and Mark Landler, Oct. 7, 2019. The New York Times.
Lampedusa: The bodies of 13 migrant women were found off the coast of the small Mediterranean island of Lampedusa after a migrant boat carrying around 50 passengers capsized. Italian Coast Guard officials said that 22 survivors were rescued but they fear that many more passengers have died. According to a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency more than 1,000 people have died in the Mediterranean this year, most attempting to travel from Libya to Europe.
Original article by Reuters, Oct. 7, 2019. The New York Times.
Iraq: The Iraqi government was unprepared as thousands of protestors took to the streets last week to protest government corruption, unemployment and a lack of basic services. In addition to deploying security forces Iraqi leadership also imposed a curfew and shut down the internet. As of Saturday, Iraqi police have killed 91 people and wounded more than 2,000 as they have struggled to deal with protestors in a non-lethal way.
Original article by Alissa J. Rubin, Oct. 5, 2019. The New York Times.
Spain: Three police officers pursuing four people suspected of trafficking drugs were rescued by the suspects after the officers fell into the ocean during the pursuit. A police helicopter crew used a megaphone to ask the suspects if they would rescue the officers. The suspects complied and were subsequently arrested for drug trafficking.
Original article by Alan Yuhas, Oct. 6, 2019. The New York Times.