WAO ART #226

Morocco has been chosen to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), while a joint bid from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will host the 2027 tournament. Guinea was originally set to host the 2025 Afcon but was denied of the rights due to concerns about infrastructure.

An Australian man, Paul Iera, has been ordered to pay compensation to the police after faking his own kidnapping in order to spend New Year's Eve with another woman. Iera sent a text message to his partner claiming to be from his kidnappers, prompting his partner to contact the police.

Six young people from Portugal have filed a lawsuit against 32 governments, including all EU member states, accusing them of insufficient action on climate change. The case, filed at the European Court of Human Rights, is the first of its kind and could have legally-binding consequences.

The upcoming presidential election in the Maldives is not just a contest between two candidates, but also a battle between India and China for influence in the strategically located island nation. Both countries have provided the Maldives with significant financial assistance.

US President Joe Biden made history by joining striking car workers from the United Auto Workers (UAW) on their picket line in Michigan. This is the first time a sitting US president has done so. Biden expressed his support for the workers, stating that they deserve raises and other concessions.

Colombian pop star Shakira has been charged with tax evasion for the second time by the Spanish government. Prosecutors allege that she defrauded the state of €6.7m ($7.1m, £5.8m) in 2018 by failing to declare millions in advance payments for her El Dorado World Tour and other payments.

The Wall Street Journal published a negative article about Binance, claiming that the exchange was "beginning to collapse." The article cited an unnamed source who alleged that Binance was under investigation by the US Department of Justice. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao responded to the claims.