Global Beat is your weekly stop for news from around the world. Join us every Friday morning for important stories you should know about.

This week, North Korean hackers are suspected in the world’s biggest cyber-attack; the United States accuses Syria of using a crematorium to cover up mass executions; several African airlines are blacklisted from flying over European Union skies; and more.
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Americas

Prominent award-winning Mexican journalist Javier Valdez was shot and killed in Culiacan on Monday because of his reporting on criminal activities in Sinaloa, home to the drug cartel once led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. He was the sixth Mexican journalist murdered this year, in what has been a wave of attacks against reporters. Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for reporters, with more than 100 murdered since 2000.

Also check out:

• Robert Mueller, former FBI director, named special counsel for Russia investigation – Rebecca Ruiz, The New York Times

Central & South Asia

The Taliban has rejected peace talks with the Afghan government this week, stating that doing so would be tantamount to surrendering to the enemy. The Taliban now controls more territory than at any point since 2001. The move comes as President Donald Trump is considering whether to increase U.S. troops in America’s longest war, now in its 16th year.  

Also check out:

• U.S. transfers $6 million in vehicles and equipment to Tajikistan – Catherine Putz, The Diplomat

China & East Asia

Hackers connected to North Korea are the likely suspects in the world’s biggest cyber-attack, which hit at least 150 countries and infected 300,000 machines. The computer code used by North Korean hackers in three previous attacks—including against Sony Pictures in retaliation for the movie "The Interview" in 2014—bear striking similarities to the ransomware attacks this week. The victims included hospitals, universities, manufacturers, corporations, and government agencies.

Also check out:

• For China’s ‘new Silk Road,’ ambitious goals and more than a few challenges – Anthony Kuhn, NPR

Europe & Russia

Newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany on Monday, where they declared their determination to salvage European unity. On his first day in office, Macron appointed a former political foe, Édouard Philippe, as France’s new prime minister, a calculated political move attempting to attract other conservatives to the new president’s coalition.

Also check out:

• Enda Kenny to resign as Ireland’s prime minister as soon as successor is chosen – Vincent Boland, Financial Times

Middle East & North Africa

The U.S. State Department on Monday accused the Syrian government of using a crematorium to cover up mass executions of thousands of prisoners at the Sednaya military prison. Acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Stuart Jones released satellite photographs of architectural elements suggestive of a place to burn bodies. The timing of the accusation seemed to be intended to pressure Russia to stop supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ahead of the UN’s latest round of peace talks on Tuesday.

Also check out:

• Iran’s re-engagement with the world at stake in today’s presidential vote – Parisa Hafezi, Reuters

Southeast Asia & Oceania

The Philippines said on Wednesday that the country will no longer accept development aid from the European Union after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte secured billions of dollars in pledges from China. The move could mean a loss of about $280 million worth of grants for programs to assist poor and conflict-ridden regions, especially Muslim communities in the country’s south.

Also check out:

• Refugees describe death and despair in Malaysian detention centers – Laignee Barron, The Guardian

Sub-Saharan Africa

Air Zimbabwe, Nigeria’s Med-View, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Mustique Airways have been banned from flying over the European Union because the airlines do not meet EU safety standards. A total of 181 airlines from 16 countries are currently banned from EU skies. Meanwhile, the EU removed all airlines from Benin and Mozambique from its blacklist after those companies met safety standards.

Also check out:

• Christian sect attacks Congo prison, frees leader, 50 others – Saleh Mwanamilongo, Associated Press

Stay informed. We’ll see you here again next week.