Rorisang Modiba delivers daily updates from around the world.
Ukraine – A Russian missile strike on Monday destroyed a children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, and killed at least 38 people. Officials fear that more people could be trapped beneath the rubble. Videos from the scene show volunteers, police, and security services sifting through the debris in the smoke. Medical staff described rushing children to safety after the attack, which demolished two floors of the hospital. Over 600 patients were evacuated. US President Joe Biden, on the eve of a meeting with other NATO leaders in Washington, said the attack was “a horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality”.
Kenya – Kenyan cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie began his trial in Mombasa on Monday on terrorism charges related to the starvation deaths of over 400 of his followers. Mackenzie and 94 co-defendants face multiple charges, including murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and child torture. The trial, which has drawn global attention, started with journalists being removed to protect a witness. Mackenzie, arrested in April last year, allegedly told followers to starve to “meet Jesus”. The remains of more than 440 people have been found in the Shakahola forest, with autopsies revealing starvation, strangulation, beating, and organ removal as causes of death.
Wall Street – Influential business donors watch and wait as the Democratic Party faces a major crisis. Many believe changing the presidential ticket would improve the party’s chances against Donald Trump, despite President Joe Biden’s commitment to stay in the 2024 race. With $240 million (about R4.3-trillion) in Biden’s political operation, attempts to fund an alternative have fallen short. The next few days are crucial, with growing calls in the Democratic Party for Biden to step aside, though he remains firm in his plan to run.
New York – Actress and controversial social media influencer Julia Fox, 34, revealed she is a lesbian and has been celibate for over two years. Fox responded to a TikTok video, sharing her experience of being a lesbian with a boyfriend. This news follows her previous comments about exploring her sexuality, including remarks during a 2022 interview with Ziwe. Fox, who was married to Peter Artemiev and shares a three-year-old son with him, dated Kanye West briefly in 2022 but disclosed they never had sex. Since her split from West, she has not publicly dated anyone and has embraced celibacy.
Pictured above: A screenshot of the Russian strike on the Ukraine hospital.
Source: X
