Good morning, Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.
But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)
First Lady Melania Trump Wraps First Solo Trip to Africa
Melania Trump concluded her first solo international trip as first lady by saying her visit to four African nations was meant to send a message that “we care.”
Mrs. Trump’s trip to Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt thrust the usually very private first lady into the international spotlight, away from the bitter and contentious debate over her husband’s Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh.
The first lady’s trip marks a positive point in the Trump administration’s relationship with Africa, which has been negatively impacted by some of the president disparaging remarks about some of the African nations in the past. Trump, in a meeting with with lawmakers in January, grew frustrated over the bipartisan immigration plan, asking why they would want people from Haiti, Africa and other “s—hole countries” coming into the United States, ABC News reports. Mrs. Trump said that her hosts during her visit did not bring up her husband’s comments.
“We care, and we want to show the world that we care, and I’ve partnered and am working with USAID. And that’s what I want to share, that we care,” Trump told reporters at her final stop in Egypt.
The first lady called her trip “unforgettable” and “incredible.”
Mrs. Trump’s trip was largely focused on children in keeping with her “Be Best” initiative, and sought to highlight the positive impact of U.S. foreign aid to the continent.
During her trip, the first lady was welcomed by young girls bearing flowers and the first ladies of each country greeting her as she arrived, ABC News reports.
In Ghana, Mrs. Trump visited mothers and children in a hospital and laid a wreath at the “door of no return” in Cape Coast Castle, where kidnaped Africans were held before being placed onto ships to be sent to the Americas to become slaves. A photo of the first lady holding a baby boy during her hospital visit went viral.
Greeted by a choir of singing students, Mrs. Trump visited a primary school in Malawi that benefits from USAID’s literacy program.
“Thank you for having me here and thank you for a beautiful warm welcome,” she said at the school in Malawi, “I wanted to be here to see the successful programs that the United States is providing to the children. And thank you for educating them to ‘Be Best’ – be their best and to grow up into educated adults for generations to come.”
In Nairobi, Kenya, Mrs. Trump fed baby elephants, where one playfully, but forcefully nudged her, and visited an orphanage.
On her final stop of the tour, Mrs. Trump traveled to Egypt and viewed the pyramids and the Great Sphinx.
Her outfit during her time in Egypt, however, drew lots of attention, including whether she intended to draw attention to gender equality by wearing a tie and pants.
When asked about her fashion choices by a reporter, Mrs. Trump said, “I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear.”
New York Limo Crash Leaves 20 Dead
A picturesque, upstate New York community was left in shock after a “horrific” crash of a limousine left 20 people dead.
State Police spokesman Christopher Fiore said the limousine failed to stop at an intersection in Schoharie, New York, and slammed into a parked SUV. Eighteen people in the limousine, including the driver, and two pedestrians were killed as a result of the accident.
“Everyone inside the limousine was killed,” Fiore said.
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt said the accident was the biggest U.S. transportation accident since 2009.
The limousine, a 2001 Ford Excursion, ended up in a ditch on the side of the road.
According to USA Today, the crash took place next to the Apple Barrel Country Store and Cafe, which is in an area popular with tourists during the fall season. Owners shared their condolences on Facebook, and said they were open on Sunday to share “hugs” with the community.
“This is a wonderful, small-knit community of people who care about each other,” Liz Gallup, who works at the store and has lived nearby for almost 60 years, told USA TODAY. “People are coming in, they are hugging, they are sharing.”
“As you may be aware, there was a horrific accident in front of our business today,” the Apple Barrel said in a Facebook post. “We hope you will come and share your smiles, love, friendship and hugs with us.”
Israeli Prime Minister’s Wife on Trial for Fraud
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife appeared in court Sunday for the start of her trial over alleged fraud and breach of trust, again drawing attention to the scandals plaguing Israel’s prime minister and his family.
Sara Netanyahu, according to ABC News, has been charged with overspending approximately $100,000 on private celebrity chefs at the prime minister’s official residence when there was already a full-time chef on staff.
Transcripts from police investigations leaked to and released by the media disclosed that Mrs. Netanyahu often complains about the quality of the food at the prime minister’s residence and uses expletives to describe the staff. She has long faced allegations of abusive behavior and extravagant spending. According to ABC News, former employees have accused the prime minister’s wife of mistreatment, as well as charging the state for her lavish tastes.
The indictment states that Mrs. Netanyahu acted “to circumvent the rules and conditions” governing the prime minister’s official residence “in order to fraudulently obtain state funding for various expenses for the accused and her family that were not supposed to be financed in this manner.”
Her lawyers have argued that she was oblivious to the regulations and the meals were ordered by an assistant and served to visiting dignitaries.
The prime minister has slammed the indictment, calling the allegations against his wife “baseless and delusional.” The family has denied any sort of wrongdoing and claims to be victims of a political witch hunt by the media.
If convicted, Mrs. Netanyahu could face up to five years in prison.
Israeli police have also recommended indiciting Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two separate cases.
What to look out for…
The American Music Awards are tomorrow, Tuesday, October 9th!