Turkey’s parliament voted to ratify Sweden’s application to join NATO on Jan. 23, 2024, after more than a year of delays. Turkey had been blocking Sweden’s bid over various issues, such as Sweden’s alleged support for Kurdish militants and its stance on the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Turkey also demanded some concessions from Sweden, such as the U.S. approving the sale of F-16 fighter jets and other equipment.

Sweden applied to join NATO in 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sweden’s membership would strengthen NATO’s presence in the Baltic Sea region, which faces increasing pressure from Russia. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson welcomed Turkey’s decision and said that Sweden was one step closer to becoming a full member of NATO.

However, Sweden’s NATO bid still needs to be approved by Hungary, which has not yet ratified it. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban invited his Swedish counterpart to Budapest for talks, but Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said he saw no reason to negotiate with Hungary at this point. NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Hungary to complete its national ratification as soon as possible, saying that Sweden’s membership would make NATO stronger and safer.

Kenyan cult leader named Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 94 other suspects have been charged with 238 counts of manslaughter for allegedly inciting their followers to starve to death in order to meet Jesus. The cult, known as Good News International Church, was based in coastal Kenya and had a history of extremism and radicalization.

The authorities discovered more than 400 corpses in mass graves in the Shakahola forest near the Indian Ocean, most of whom had died of hunger. Once inside the villages established by Mackenzie, followers were not allowed to leave the area, nor interact within themselves.

The followers were also required to destroy vital documents, i.e national identity cards, birth certificates, certificates of title to property, academic certificates and marriage certificates. Mackenzie, who also faces terrorism charges, is undergoing a mental evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

13 year old boy named Adam McWherter died on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2024, from the injuries he sustained after being hit by an SUV while sledding down his driveway on Jan. 10, 2024. He was sledding with his friend on a snow day when his sled crossed the road and collided with a GMC Envoy driven by a 49 year old man.

His friend managed to avoid the accident, but Adam was knocked unconscious and suffered multiple fractures and internal bleeding. He was taken to the hospital and put on a ventilator, but he never regained consciousness.

Adam was a 7th grader at Anamosa Middle School and was described by his family and friends as a kind, funny, and adventurous boy who loved sports, music, and animals. His family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the medical and funeral expenses, and they have received an overwhelming amount of support and condolences from the community.

The Iowa State Patrol said the accident remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed against the driver. The driver told the authorities that he did not see the boy until it was too late, and he tried to brake and swerve, but he could not avoid the collision. The police recreated the scene to verify the driver’s statement, and they found that the visibility was poor due to the snow and the curve of the road.

A man was arrested on suspicion of 76 murders after he confessed to starting a fire in a building in Johannesburg, South Africa, last August. The 29-year-old confessed while giving evidence at the inquiry, according to the police. The fire gutted the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, where many poor people were living, and claimed 77 lives and left many injured.

The man is facing 76 counts of murder, 120 counts of attempted murder, and arson charges. The tragedy highlighted the issue of buildings abandoned or neglected by their owners in South Africa.