In today's news roundup, Ivory Coast's prime minister dies, leaving uncertainty over an upcoming election, US President Donald Trump keeps a friend out of jail, and a runner who seemed to be faster than Usain Bolt…wasn't.
Published in “Africa”
Among the more unusual news stories recently… some surprise pictures reveal good news about gorillas, new records are set at a hot dog eating contest, and a Japanese amusement park is asking people not to scream on the rollercoasters.
A company called Loon is using balloons to deliver the internet to people across Kenya. The company believes its system will be a cheap, reliable way to bring internet services to people who live in remote areas.
Scientists have been surprised and impressed with the long-distance travel of two birds recently, a common cuckoo who flew from southern Africa to Mongolia, and an eastern curlew, who flew from Australia to China.
A second election has brought Malawi a new president - Lazarus Chakwera, who took nearly 60% of the vote. In Poland, the lack of a clear winner in Sunday's voting means the country will hold a runoff election on July 12.
In today's news roundup, a dust cloud from the Sahara Desert reaches all the way to the US, Pakistan reports that 30% of its pilots have fake licenses, and NASA renames its headquarters for Mary Jackson, its first black female engineer.
Saniniu Laizer, who works as a miner in Tanzania, has suddenly become a millionaire after finding and selling two large chunks of a gemstone called Tanzanite. The stones found by Mr. Laizer were the largest samples of Tanzanite ever found.
Protests over violence against people of color have continued around the world. The protests have focused attention on racism in a way that has rarely been seen, and are leading to real changes in laws and rules.
In today's news roundup, the US Senate confirms the country's first African-American Air Force chief, the president of Burundi dies, and a historic game of chess takes place between players on the Earth and the International Space Station.
As the coronavirus has limited the movements of tourists and park rangers, African elephants and rhinos are being killed in greater numbers. Now, with money from tourists drying up, it's even harder for governments to protect the animals.
During the last few months, most countries around the world have spent weeks in lockdowns of different kinds. Now, governments are trying to decide if the time is right to start normal business activity again.