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BRAZIL:

A thirteen-year-old boy in Sao Paulo, Brazil murdered his police officer parents, his grandmother, and his great-aunt. Marcelo Pesseghini then went to school for a full day, after which he killed himself. According to a friend of Pesseghini, he had always wanted to kill his parents and planned to become a “hired killer.”  [HuffingtonPost]

URUGUAY:

In a monumental move, Uruguay passed a bill last week that legalizes marijuana and regulates the production, distribution, and sale of the plant for adult consumers. The bill is likely to pass in the senate, and will soon be signed into law by President José Mujica (pictured above), a long time advocate of drug reform. Stoners everywhere rejoice! [HuffingtonPost]

IRAN:

In the first conference since his inauguration, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said that he would like to engage in “serious and substantive” negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear agenda. Rouhani added that a resolution will only be reached through “talks, not threats.” The U.S. hopes Rouhani will be placate the world’s “deep concerns” about the nation. [BBC]

EGYPT:

An international attempt to reconcile the interim presidency and the ousted President Morsi’s party, the Muslim Brotherhood, has failed. Adly Mansour, the acting head of state, blamed the collapse on the Brotherhood. 250 lives have been lost since President Morsi was deposed on July 3, and despite this setback, talks for a unified, peaceful future will press on. [Guardian]

CUBA:

Welcome to the 21st century, Cuba! The island nation has finally granted internet access to its 11 million inhabitants. Though this is a big step for the notoriously isolated country, the internet access comes at a steep price: $4.50 an hour. In a country in which most people make $20 a month, this is hardly practical. Additionally, in order to use it, people must go to government-run internet cafes. The photo above shows people lining up outside one of 118 such cafes. The government is moving towards a cheaper, and more convenient strategy for greater connectivity, but they are struggling with how to give more access while retaining control. [CNN]

CHINA:

An obstetrician has been arrested for selling newborns to human traffickers. Officials in Fuping County in China’s northwestern Shaanxi Province said that the doctor, Zhang Shuxia, had allegedly sold “several” babies to human traffickers. One of the babies, a boy (pictured above with his mother), has been returned to his relieved parents. He had been sold by Zhang for around $3,527. Zhang told his parents that he was seriously ill and that they should leave him in his care. His mother reported the incident to the police, who found the baby in a nearby town. In the wake of this scandal, the Chinese government has pledged to implement stricter management of medical services and impose stronger ethics training around the country. [CNN]

NAMIBIA:

Namibia is facing its worst drought in 30 years. Unsurprisingly, there is not enough water for animals or people. In a country in which 29% of children have stunted growth, an irreversible condition due to poor nutrition, this is a real tragedy. In a northern region, there has not been a drop of water from the sky for a full two years. At the moment, 300,000 people are ‘severely food insecure.’ [USAToday]

TANZANIA:

People with albinism in Tanzania are either discarded or hunted for their body parts, which many believe have supernatural powers. The Kabanaga Protectorate Centre offers a place of refuge for these innocent individuals, many of whom were abandoned at birth by their parents. Though the government has not made an effort at a long-term solution for the mistreatment of albino citizens, many albino children have big dreams. They hope to become lawyers, politicians, or teachers who can educate the population on the reality of albinism. We wish them the best. [DailyMail]