Kenya, Mali, Dominican Republic.

Today's three stories you should know.

Aug 09, 2022

Kenya

Kenyans voted today in a razor-tight presidential election after a campaign marked by debates about the cost of living, unemployment and corruption. The frontrunners are former prime minister Raila Odinga and current Vice President William Ruto. Odinga, a longtime opposition leader making his fifth run at the top job, has won the backing of outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta. While Ruto, despite being a sitting vice president, has emphasised his humble beginnings in an attempt to connect with ordinary Kenyans. To win in the first round, a candidate needs more than half of all votes and at least 25 percent of the votes in more than half of Kenya’s 47 counties.

Mali

At least 17 Malian soldiers and four civilians were killed in a weekend attack by an armed group linked to ISIS, according to Mali’s military. The attack, described as “complex and coordinated,” was the latest in a surge of attacks across the Sahel region carried out by fighters with alleged links to both ISIS and al-Qaeda. The governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have been fighting the groups for years. But the violence has stepped up in recent months and Togo is now also being dragged in.

Dominican Republic

Two miners were rescued after a massive operation in the Dominican Republic today after spending 10 days underground. The pair were trapped after a rockslide at the Cerro de Maimon copper and zinc mine some 80 kilometers north of Santa Domingo. More than 110 people, including mining experts, participated in the effort and the Canadian army flew in excavation machinery and other technology to help.