Mali president resigns after being forced into exile
Mali’s president, Dioncounda Traore, wrote a letter of resignation April 7 after being forced into exile for a month. His exile came after a military and political coup last month that spurred revolution in the nation. The coup leader, Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo, agreed to return Mali to a constitutional rule after signing an accord April 6 which prompted Traore’s resignation the next day.
North Korea violates United Nations pact, prepares long-range missile
North Korea moved their long-range rocket into position for a launch date estimated between April 12 and 16. North Korea is promoting the launch as a scientific achievement and endeavor, but this move goes against many of the international warnings and threats from nations that do not believe that to be the case. Firing this rocket will violate the pact North Korea has with the United Nations about eliminating all nuclear missile activity. If it continues with its plan to fire the rocket, North Korea will no longer receive food and medicine the United States currently provides.
Peruvian miners trapped for days
Peru is seeking assistance to rescue nine miners trapped under 26 feet of dirt after a mining accident. They were trapped April 5 after an intentional explosion went wrong while they were trying to blast a path through the rock. Peruvian rescue workers have been trying to dig them out with shovels and pickaxes, but officials said it appears they might need more assistance.
German author banned from entering Israel
Israel has banned German author Gunter Grass from entering the country after the publication of a controversial poem that accused Israel’s “undeclared nuclear arsenal a threat to world peace.” The poem, titled “What Must Be Said,” was published April 4 in a German newspaper spurring nationwide criticisms of Israel. Grass, 84, hesitated to publish the poem for years for fear of being called an anti-Semite, but has now said he has nothing to lose at this time in his life.