London, UK
Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died on April 8 at age 87. Thatcher was the first female prime minister of the UK, a Conservative Party member and an avid supporter of the free market and individual liberty. Nicknamed the “Iron Lady,” she reigned over Britain for 11 years, although was often met with great opposition. “I am not a consensus politician,” Thatcher once said. “I am a conviction politician.”
Myanmar (Formerly Burma)
For the first time in 50 years, the Myanmar government has allowed news publications under private ownership to print daily papers. The country’s strict censorship of media permitted only a government-run paper, and outlawed information dissemination without review of the content prior to release. Four private publications have already begun producing print issues, but journalists are unclear about the extent to which they can report.
Cypress, Texas, USA
On Tuesday, 14 students were wounded on the campus of Lonestar Community College in Cypress, Texas. The 21-year-old male assailant has been arrested – but not yet charged – for stabbing fellow students in the face, neck and heads with sharp objects. One 19-year-old girl was found with a box cutter blade protruding from her cheek and four students were air-lifted to nearby treatment. Lonestar also endured a school shooting two months ago, wounding three.
Nairobi, Kenya
On April 9, tens of thousands gathered for the inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta, who was sworn in as Kenya’s new president for the next five years. Currently, the 51-year-old father of three has charges against him for crimes against humanity, and will appear before the International Criminal Court for trial this year.
