World Briefs

By Madeline Collins

The Guardsman

Egypt

There have been 890 deaths in Egypt since Aug. 14, not including the three dozen detainees killed Aug. 18 during an escape attempt while being transported in a prison truck. Fighting broke out between protesters supporting ousted President Mohamed Morsi and security forces. Egyptian state media is reporting that a court has ordered the release of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has been jailed since 2011. Mubarak has been serving a life sentence for allowing the killing of protesters during the uprising that led to his removal.

(USA Today) (BBC)

 

Yemen

A United States drone killed three suspected al-Qaida militants in Lahj, Yemen on Aug. 17. “The militants were taking a weapons shipment by vehicle to a different location when that strike took place,” a security official in the area said.  Two others sustained injuries in a strike in the Askariayah district and another vehicle escaped a drone attack in the same area. There have been 12 drone attacks since July 28 in Yemen and 34 people have been killed, a senior Defense Ministry official said.

(CNN)

 

Somalia

There are now 105 confirmed cases of polio in Somalia, making up more than half of the total global cases of the disease. A big contributor to the extreme outbreak since May is health workers being unable to access areas of Somalia that are under al-Qaida control. In these areas seven out of 10 children are not immunized for polio. The global aid group Doctors Without Borders made the decision to leave Somalia due to attacks on their workers, further setting back the goal of eliminating the disease in the country. In the last 10 years there have been over 50 outbreaks, spreading through fecal contact and through sneezing or coughing.

(ABC News)

 

Philippines

A ferry collided with a cargo ship outside of Cebu on Aug. 16. The ferry, carrying 870 passengers and crew members, quickly began to sink after the collision ripped a hole in its hull. The Coast Guard reported that at least 39 died and more than 80 are missing. The cargo ship was leaving Cebu after a routine stop and collided with the ferry on its way into the city. Incoming and outgoing ships have different routes, and it remains unclear if one strayed from its path.

(USA Today)

 

Russia

As Russia prepares to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, the country is facing more potential backlash for the anti-gay propaganda law passed last month. The law bars the public discussion of gay rights and relationships anywhere that children may hear it. There has been concern about how the law will affect gay athletes and visitors during the Olympics next year. The International Olympic Committee said in a statement that they have been assured by the Russian government that this law will have no effect on athletes or visitors during the winter games.

(CNN)

 

Mexico

The Mexican Army captured Mario Armando Ramirez Treviño, the leader of the Gulf cartel on Aug. 17. The cartel’s presence in the drug trade has diminished significantly due to fierce competition from the Zetas cartel. The Gulf cartel joined forces with the Sinaloa cartel to compete with the Zetas, and it has resulted in a turf war throughout Mexico. It is the second major cartel-related arrest since the inauguration of President Enrique Peña Nieto in December.

(LA Times)