In Africa

Pistorius headed to Olympics: Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius will compete in the London Olympics. The South African will run in the 400 meters and the 4x400 relay competitions — making him the first amputee athlete to compete in track in Olympic history. Pistorius will also compete in the Paralympics.

In Europe

Barclay in the news: Financial service provider, Barclays is being investigated for allegedly influencing interest rates. Three top senior officials have already resigned including Chief Executive Officer Robert Diamond. Barclay’s now risks a credit rating downgrade from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

Sarkozy searched: Last week, French police raided the home and offices of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s. He was not in the country at the time of the raids. He is being investigated for violation of campaign finance laws through campaign donations. Sarkozy denies those allegations.

‘God particle’ found: Scientists made a historic announcement in Geneva last week when they announced the possible discovery of the Higgs boson particle, also known as the ‘God particle.’ Scientists said they were almost 100 percent sure that they discovered the particle — that gives matter mass — at the European Organization for Nuclear Research’s Large Hadron Collider.

Terrorist watch: London police arrested 13 individuals suspected of terrorism. London is on high alert with the Olympics beginning on July 27.

Flooding in Russia: Tens of thousands of Russians have lost their homes due to recent heavy rains and flooding in the Black Sea region. More than 170 people have reportedly died.

Latin America

Santoyo extradited: Colombia’s former security chief under president Alvaro Uribe, Gen. Mauricio Santoyo pleaded not guilty on drug charges. Santoyo was extradited to the United States last week after surrendering to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. His trial will begin in September.

Election update: Mexico’s Federal Electoral Institute announced that final election results showed Enrique Peña Nieto won the presidency. Presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will appeal the results on Thursday seeking to either annul or invalidate election results. Thousands of Mexicans have protested alleging election fraud.

Young journalist killed: Armando Montaño, 22, was found dead in an elevator shaft of an apartment building. Montaño, from Colorado Springs, was an intern with the Associated Press’ Mexico City bureau at the time of his death. Mexican police are investigating the cause of death.

In North America

Remembering Griffith, Borgnine: Legendary actor Andy Griffith, 86, has died. Griffith became a household name for his portrayal of Mayberry’s sheriff on the “Andy Griffith Show” and his work on “Matlock.” Griffith died of a heart attack. Screen actor Ernest Borgnine died from renal failure. Borgnine starred in the television comedy “McHale’s Navy” and in countless films including “Marty.” He was 95.

Employment numbers: The Labor Department announced that the unemployment rate has remained at 8.2 percent.

In the Middle East

Arafat to be exhumed: Former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat’s remains will be exhumed. Swiss experts will conduct an autopsy in order to detect if Arafat was poisoned. Israeli officials have long denied they had a role in his death.

“Ally”: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid an announced visit to Afghanistan last week where she announced that the U.S. had given Afghanistan major non-NATO ally designation.