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Staying informed with the latest news can be tough. It’s such a challenge that we’ve decided to take the burden off your shoulders by curating the most impactful, strange, or simply astonishing stories every week.
This week, the hope for a new, post-Mugabe Zimbabwe seemed to fade as the nation’s elections, following last year’s coup, descended into violence and brutal repression, reminiscent of the old regime. Read on for more on this tragic development, along with an overview of other major controversies this week, from 3-D printed guns to the US trial of the year.
10. Zimbabwe’s Elections Ended In Brutal Suppression
This was supposed to be the moment when Zimbabwe emerged from the long shadow of Robert Mugabe. On Monday, Zimbabweans cast their votes in the first elections in 16 years that included international observers.
Initially, everything seemed to be moving in the right direction. The African Union described the elections as mostly free and fair, despite noticeable media bias. As the results came in, both the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition MDC declared victory but also agreed to respect the final count. Unfortunately, this commitment was short-lived.
On Wednesday, Mugabe’s former party, Zanu-PF, was declared the winner. Immediately, violence erupted in Harare. Opposition protesters flooded the streets, alleging that the elections were rigged. The military responded in its typical fashion: opening fire. The ensuing clashes devastated the city center, claiming three lives.
This wasn’t the outcome that was expected. The 2018 elections were supposed to mark a new chapter for Zimbabwe, welcoming the country back into the global fold. However, with the government now pledging a stronger crackdown, it appears that Zimbabwe’s hopes for a revolution were merely that: a dream.
9. A Plan To Unleash A 3-D Printable Gun Sparked Chaos
At the eleventh hour on Tuesday, a federal judge attempted to block DEFCAD.org from returning online. Or at least, that's what the judge tried. DEFCAD had already gone live hours ahead of schedule, sparking a flurry of urgent headlines. Why? Because DEFCAD is a platform that allows users to download and 3-D print their own firearms.
If you're thinking, “This sounds like an old story,” you're not wrong. DEFCAD originally launched in 2013 but was taken down after the State Department threatened legal action for violating US firearms export laws. In response, DEFCAD filed a lawsuit, arguing that the printing blueprints were safeguarded by the First Amendment. The Trump administration reached a settlement in June, allowing DEFCAD to go online again—until the judge intervened.
Concerns are rising that DEFCAD might allow criminals to print untraceable guns or those that could evade metal detectors. While 3-D printed guns are currently unreliable, that could change in the next five years. In essence, the ongoing legal battle is a clash over how the First and Second Amendments apply in the digital age, with far-reaching ramifications on the horizon.
8. The Swedish Crown Jewels Were Stolen In Broad Daylight
If you think all major heists involve complex schemes like something out of a Danny Ocean movie, think again. This week, two men executed one of the most significant robberies in Swedish history, making off with some of the crown jewels.
Their plan was almost absurdly simple. They walked into a cathedral where the jewels were on display, smashed the glass, grabbed the jewels, and then rode off on bikes to the nearest lake, where they hopped onto jet skis and disappeared into infamy.
The jewels, dating back to around 1611, included an orb used at the funeral of King Karl IX. As priceless as crown jewels are known to be, the ease with which they were stolen makes the crime all the more surreal. There are Walmarts that are harder to rob than this.
Despite the boldness of the theft, the Swedish police maintained an oddly optimistic outlook. Given how unique the jewels are, selling them will be virtually impossible.
7. We Witnessed The Longest Lunar Eclipse of the Century (But Not in America)
For enthusiasts of awe-inspiring natural events, there was only one story worth following over the past week. On the night of July 27, the longest lunar eclipse (also known as a “blood Moon”) of the 21st century took place. Lasting a remarkable 1 hour and 45 minutes, the Moon took on a menacing red hue, and Mars shone brightly in the sky. It was as though we were witnessing an apocalyptic scene… at least, if you weren't in North America.
The path of the eclipse seemed almost like a symbolic snub to North America. Nearly every country around the world had the opportunity to see the blood Moon, with the notable exceptions of a few Pacific island nations, the US, Mexico, Cuba, and Canada.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. North America won’t have to wait too long for another spectacular celestial event. In less than six months, the next total solar eclipse will grace the continent, with the exception of Australia. In the meantime, North American sky-watchers can take solace in the fact that the skies in the UK and parts of Northern Europe were completely overcast just before the eclipse.
6. India Revoked Citizenship For Four Million People
Assam, a contentious state in India bordering Bangladesh, has a long history of challenges. During the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence, millions of refugees flooded into Assam, many without proper identification. In 1985, an agreement was made, allowing those who arrived before the war began to stay permanently. However, those who fled as refugees were meant to be deported.
Despite the agreement, the law was never rigorously enforced, and Assam has long been a hotspot for illegal immigration. However, when Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party came to power, things changed. A citizenship list was created for Assam to determine who could stay and who should be deported. This week, a draft of that list was revealed, and over four million residents were left off. The expectation is that they will now face deportation.
Beyond labeling four million people as illegal immigrants, the list has sparked controversy, particularly due to allegations of anti-Muslim bias. Modi himself stated that Hindus who fled Bangladesh after the war began should be allowed to stay, while Muslims would need to leave. This issue is particularly sensitive in Assam, a state with a history of ethnic tension. Just six years ago, race-related riots claimed the lives of 80 people.
5. Germany Released Its Sole Suspect In A Neo-Nazi Bombing
In July 2000, a bomb went off at a Dusseldorf station, specifically targeting Jewish immigrants. The explosion injured twelve people, including a pregnant woman who tragically lost her unborn child. This bombing became infamous as one of Germany's most notable neo-Nazi attacks, largely due to a 17-year investigation that failed to produce results.
It wasn’t until last year that anyone was charged. A suspect, identified as Ralf S, was arrested after a former prisoner came forward, claiming Ralf had bragged about carrying out the bombing when they shared a cell in 2014.
This week, however, Ralf S’s trial fell apart. Despite being recorded admitting responsibility for the bombing, too many witnesses retracted their statements at the last minute. With no way to confirm whether his admissions were truthful or the ramblings of an egotistical individual, the court had no choice but to free him.
The collapse of the case is especially relevant considering the recent NSU terrorism trial. That case, which involved the murder of nine immigrants and a policewoman, highlighted German intelligence's repeated failure to recognize signs of right-wing terrorism. With yet another neo-Nazi attack remaining unsolved, concerns are being raised about the country’s ability to combat domestic extremism.
4. A US House Race Turns Into A Strange Dispute Over Bigfoot Erotica
File this under “weird but (sadly) true.”
In Virginia, there’s an intense battle for the 5th Congressional District’s House seat. This week, that already heated contest became even more bizarre in the most unfortunate way possible. Over the weekend, Democratic candidate Leslie Cockburn accused her Republican opponent, Denver Riggleman, of being a “fan of Bigfoot erotica.”
Politicians making exaggerated accusations about their rivals is hardly a novel concept. A classic story involves Lyndon Johnson spreading rumors about one of his competitors having an unhealthy affection for his hogs. What makes this situation different is that Cockburn seemed to have proof to support her claim. Riggleman’s Instagram featured a photo of his head edited onto a Bigfoot body with an oversized appendage.
While Riggleman is indeed a Bigfoot enthusiast, he vehemently denies the accusations made by Cockburn. Still, this whole debacle serves as a disheartening reflection of the state of American politics. In some countries, political battles revolve around policies. In Virginia, the focus is on Bigfoot-related pornography.
3. Paul Manafort’s Trial Kicks Off
A noteworthy aspect of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation is that he had the authority to prosecute any crimes he uncovered, even those unrelated to the Russia inquiry. While the Russia investigation has yet to yield significant results, Mueller has unearthed a range of unrelated criminal activities.
The most significant of these charges likely pertains to Paul Manafort, a former advisor to Trump who now faces accusations of money laundering, witness tampering, tax evasion, and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
This week saw the commencement of Manafort’s first trial in Virginia, set to run for three weeks. Following this, he will stand trial again in the District of Columbia on separate charges. (Typically, trials from different jurisdictions are consolidated, but the Sixth Amendment allows a defendant to demand a trial in each location where they’re accused of committing crimes. Manafort has evidently chosen to exercise this right.)
These two trials will be closely scrutinized for insight into how Mueller’s team plans to approach future cases. There is also growing speculation about whether President Trump might issue a pardon for his former adviser, should a conviction occur. Sources suggest that Manafort is counting on the White House to intervene if he is found guilty. With Trump yet to make any public statements on the matter, however, it remains mere conjecture.
2. Armenia Has Arrested Its Former President
This year has been an eventful one for the small Caucasus nation of Armenia. In the spring, a solitary protest against a presidential power grab grew into massive peaceful demonstrations, potentially involving a third of the entire population. The president stepped down, the government crumbled, and anti-corruption protest leader Nikol Pashinyan rose to power—all without a single shot being fired.
Now, the repercussions of Armenia’s velvet revolution are becoming evident. This week, security forces detained former president Robert Kocharian for masterminding a 2008 crackdown that resulted in 10 fatalities. He is the third high-ranking official from the former government to be arrested for this incident, signaling that Pashinyan is committed to ending Armenia’s culture of impunity for the powerful and wealthy.
However, as with all matters from the former Soviet Union, the outcome of this movement hinges on Moscow’s stance. Russia’s foreign minister has already denounced the arrests, labeling them politically motivated. With Pashinyan vowing to maintain strong ties with the Kremlin, he may find himself forced to backtrack on these recent actions.
1. North Korea Has Returned 55 US War Dead
Perhaps President Trump's greatest PR achievement yet stems from his successful summit with Kim Jong Un in June. Last Friday, North Korea declared it would return the remains of 55 American servicemen from the 1950–53 Korean War. A formal repatriation ceremony took place on Wednesday, with the bodies being returned. The gesture was seen as a sign of goodwill from Kim in support of ongoing denuclearization talks.
Despite the impressive ceremony, it was still tinged with the usual oddities one expects when it comes to any story involving the DPRK. In this case, Pyongyang’s odd decision to return just one dog tag along with the 55 bodies raised some eyebrows. At least it's likely that the bodies are American, unlike in 2011 when North Korea returned the remains of what it claimed was a British pilot... only for doctors to later determine the bones belonged to a dead animal.
This could be another step forward on the long road to a nuclear-free Korea, but who can say for sure? Just before the return ceremony, US intelligence suggested that North Korea may be reviving its ICBM program.
