Rorisang Modiba delivers daily updates from around the world.
Kenya – Kenya’s President William Ruto has decided to cancel the controversial finance bill after deadly protests where parliament was set on fire and at least 22 people died. Ruto admitted that Kenyans rejected the bill and announced he would not sign it into law. He wants to speak with the youth leading the protests.
China – China is increasing pressure on Taiwan by threatening the death penalty for those pushing for Taiwan’s independence. The pressure follows the inauguration of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, whom China calls a separatist. Even though Chinese courts have no control over Taiwan, which the government considers to be part of China, they want to punish those supporting independence severely. China has also increased military actions and trade sanctions against Taiwan since Lai’s election.
US – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walked free on Wednesday after a 14-year legal battle when he pleaded guilty to a single breach of the US’s Espionage Act in a court in the US territory of Saipan in the Pacific. At the hearing, Assange admitted to a felony charge of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information. But he emphasised that he believed he would be protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which covers freedom of the press. Assange is now going to Australia to reunite with his wife Stella and their children. Stella expressed relief on social media, and WikiLeaks confirmed his expected arrival in Canberra.
UK – At the City of Portsmouth College, a Brazilian rainbow boa named Ronaldo, believed to be male and alone for nine years, gave birth to 14 baby snakes. This rare event, called parthenogenesis, is only the third known case in captive Brazilian rainbow boas. A student discovered the babies, and reptile specialist Pete Quinlan confirmed the phenomenon. The babies are clones of their mother, with slight marking differences. Ronaldo, who was rehomed by the RSPCA and has been at the college for two years, offers students a unique learning opportunity. Quinlan checks the sex of baby snakes and prepares new homes for them once they are mature.
Pictured above: Kenya’s President William Ruto.
Source: Instagram
