El Salvador adopts Bitcoin as a national currency
According to the New York Times on Sept. 7, El Salvador has become the first country to adopt Bitcoin as a national currency. President Nayib Bukele made the announcement that the country made a purchase totaling to 550 bitcoins. The country has also created an app for its citizens called Chivo Wallet, which once downloaded the government will give $30 worth of bitcoin to the user to continue to promote the currency. With Bitcoin being a new cryptocurrency there has been concerns of how many of El Salvador’s citizens will want to embrace this technological shift. Despite this, El Salvador’s government is confident that Bitcoin will help attract new investments.
Typhoon strikes Philippines
ABC News reported that a major typhoon reached the Philippines causing power outages and flooding. Typhoon Conson reached winds of 74 mph leaving many areas in the eastern Philippines without power on Sept. 7. Over 11,000 people were evacuated and the weather bureau is continuing to provide updates as they monitor the storm.
Indonesia prison fire leaves several killed
A fire killed 41 inmates on Sept. 8 at the Tangerang Prison in Indonesia, according to NBC News. The prison was overcrowded and housed over 2000 inmates, over three times the capacity of the prison which is 600. The leading cause of chaotic evacuation efforts was due to that during the event, only five guards were on call and were responsible for guarding 2,079 inmates. The cause of the fire is still unknown; however, officials have stated that their suspicion is because of an electrical short circuit. The prison’s electrical wiring has not been updated since 1972 when it was originally built.
South Africa trades vaccination for free football
With a growing anti-vaccination population, South Africa has offered football fans free tickets to the World Cup qualifier amongst Bafana Bafana and Ethiopia if they get vaccinated. More than 80,000 people have died of COVID-19 in South Africa. BBC News reported that the government is prioritizing the vaccination of their citizens. The country has been battling with several conspires and false information about the vaccine. BBC news also discussed that Chief Justice Mogoeng, the top judge in South Africa, received backlash after a video was released of him linking the vaccine to the “Satanic Agenda”.
