The Weekly Report: August 9-16 2026
United States
American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout, who was kidnapped near his family’s home in Niger last fall, has been released and is on his way home to the U.S. Details regarding his release have been limited, as well as which terrorist group was holding him when he was released. Upon return to U.S. custody, Rideout was said to be in good overall shape given the circumstances of his detainment. Prior to his kidnapping, Rideout had worked for 19 years in Niger as a Christian missionary.
Asia
In the Indian state of Jharkhand, students marched through police barriers and tear gas to enter the state’s legislature building, demanding an investigation into suspicious activity regarding qualifying exams for government jobs. Police used many different crowd control tools in an attempt to hold the crowd back, which included tear gas, water cannon, and physical barriers. The students, however, were able to force their way through. In resoponse to the protests, the state government announced concessions such as eliminating certain recrutiment exams for government jobs.
Europe
The highest court in France rejected a move by the government to ban people under the age of 15 from using social media, a move that deals a blow to French President Emmanuel Macron. The court said the current framework resulted in a “disproportionate infringement on freedom of expression and communication.” The ban, which was passed by lawmakers in July, was said to be to widespread and could result in the ban of apps that dont pose a risk to the youth’s safety. France was the first European country to pursue such a ban after Australia passed a very similar one back in December.
Americas
On Monday, Colombia suffered its largest earthquake in a decade, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 people and many more injuries. The heart of the earthquake struck one of the poorest areas in Colombia, San Jose del Palmar, which is home to roughly 5000 people. The capital of Columbia Bogota was saved from most damage; however, many residents reported feeling intense shaking. The UN humanitarian aid agency reported that hundreds of homes were destroyed and many other severly damaged.
Africa
In Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group has continued to strike the south-central Sudanese city of El Obeid in an attempt to capture the city from the Sudanese military. U.S. officials have warned that if the city is captured, its civilian population could suffer massacres similar to the massacres suffered by the population of El Fasher. The Sudanese civil war began in April 2023 when the leaders of the military and the Rapid Support Forces had a falling out, which caused the African nation to fall into a deadly conflict.
Middle East
President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is going to visit Israel early next week in an effort to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas. Last week, Israel rejected a proposed deal by the U.S. that would result in the complete disarmament of Hamas. Kushner is going to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a potential deal between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli rejection of the deal was seen as a move by Netanyahu to win back some of his right wing voters as elections are set to take place in October.
