Tuvalu’s foreign minister makes dramatic statement for Climate Summit
The island nation of Tuvalu, located in the Pacific Ocean, chose to give a powerful message for the COP26 climate summit. Simon Kofe, Foreign Minister of Tuvalu, dressed in a suit and gave a speech next to the country’s flag at a podium. Kofe stood on an area that used to be dry land but due to climate change and rising sea levels, was knee-high saltwater. According to NBC News, the sea level in Tuvalu is rising about 0.2 inches per year. For a nation that is only a couple of feet above sea level, this could have dire consequences the likes of which are already being witnessed.
Ortega’s election criticized as scam
Daniel Ortega, president of Nicaragua, who is ahead in the polls for the presidential race for Nicaragua, has been criticized by the international community for conducting sham elections. The elections have been criticized for the presence of police brutality, political imprisonment and harassment of activists and journalists, according to NBC News. Ortega currently rules the country and will be elected to his fourth consecutive term as president. Ortega is well-known for leading a revolution in Nicaragua in the ‘70s and being an ally and supporter of late president of Cuba, Fidel Castro.
North Korea tests artillery, Jong Un reportedly not present
North Korea tested the firing power of its artillery last Sunday, as reported by state media. According to the North Korean government, the tests were part of a show of strength to convince the U.S. and South Korea to change their policy to the dictatorship. Kin Jong Un, the North Korean dictator, was not mentioned in the report, according to NBC News. This has caused speculation that he was not present at the testing, a change for North Korean weapons testing. In the past few months, North Korea has tested new missiles and even some nuclear weapons that have range to fly to South Korea and even Japan.
Brazilian musician Marila Mendonca dies in plane crash
Marilia Mendonca, country music star from Brazil, died in a plane crash. Her record label confirmed the death according to NBC News. The crash, which occurred in the state Minas Gerais, Brazil, also killed music producer Henrique Ribeiro, Mendonca’s uncle, Abicieli Silveira, and the pilot and co-pilot of the plane. Mendonca was 26 and has a 1-year-old son. The cause of the crash has not been stated but is under investigation.
