There is no shortage of newsworthy topics here in the United States. At times it is easy to get lost in it all, but equally crucial things happen all over the world.

They can shed light on political relationships, on humanitarian issues and keep you up to date on global events.

These global headlines are complex. It is highly encouraged to follow the links to the stories provided and read the story in its entirety. 

Here is a quick look at some global events that made the news last week.

Iraq’s prime minister survived assassination attempt by armed drones

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi survived an assassination attempt with armed drones that targeted his residence on Sunday, according to an Associate Press article.

Only two armed drones were involved in the attack, according to a CNN article. One of the drones was shot down by the Iraqi military.

Statements given to AP confirm that seven of al-Kadhimi’s security guards were injured during the attack. The prime minister was unharmed in the attempt.

“I am fine and among my people. Thank God,” the prime minister tweeted shortly after the attack.

As of now, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but according to AP, this was a major escalation in tensions between them and the Iran-backed militia who refuse to accept the country’s election results.

“The assassination attempt is a dramatic escalation, crossing a line in unprecedented fashion that may have violent reverberations,” wrote Ranj Alaaldin, a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution, in a post on Twitter.

The prime minister called the assassination attempt “cowardly,” according to a similar CNN article.

 The U.S. condemned the “apparent act of terrorism,” according to CNN.

“We are in close touch with the Iraqi security forces charged with upholding Iraq’s sovereignty and independence and have offered our assistance as they investigate this attack,” spokesperson Ned Price said.

Tensions rise at the Poland-Belarus border as thousands of migrants try to cross into the EU

More razor wire and riot police have reinforced the Poland-Belarus border to prevent migrants, most from the Middle East, from crossing illegally into the European Union, according to a Reuters article.

On Tuesday, more riot police were moved to the border as migrants made camp on the Belarus side, according to a similar AP article. So far seven migrants have died, Reuters reports.

The EU vowed to impose more sanctions on Belarus for encouraging migrants to illegally cross the border, and accused Belarus’ president of using “gangster-like” tactics with the migrants, Reuters states.

The “gangster-like” tactics come in retaliation to sanctions imposed on Minsk for human rights violations, according to the article.

“The Belarusian regime is attacking the Polish border, the EU, in an unparalleled manner,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said in a news conference in Warsaw. “We currently have a camp of migrants who are blocked from the Belarusian side. There are about 1,000 people there, mostly young men. These are aggressive actions that we must repel, fulfilling our obligations as a member of the European Union.”

Nicaragua’s president wins reelection as outside observers call election a “sham”

Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega, 75, won reelection on Monday with 97% of the votes counted, according to a CNN article.

Many are calling the election a sham after a month-long government crackdown of his potential rivals, the article reports.

Dozens of other prominent critics of Ortega were also detained and investigated for alleged national security concerns, according to CNN, but some have criticized it as political suppression. 

“Going to vote is a joke,” a high-ranking clergy member of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua told CNN via text message. “The people are fearful and locked in their houses.”

Costa Rica has rejected the election results along with the United States, according to  Reuters and CNN articles.

The U.S. called the election a “sham” whose outcome was long ago determined, Reuters reports. 

“What Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, orchestrated today was a pantomime election that was neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement Sunday that called on the ruling pair to release detained political dissidents.

Archaeologists uncover “slave room” in Pompeii 

Archaeologists uncovered a room in a villa just outside the ruined city of Pompeii that could shed light on slavery in Ancient Rome, according to Reuters.

The room contained three wooden beds, various ceramic pitchers, a chamber pot and other objects.

“This new important discovery enriches our understanding of the everyday life of the ancient Pompeians, especially that class in society about which little is still known,” Italy’s Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said.

According to the article, archaeologists believe it could also have served as a storage space.

The room was found near where a Roman ceremonial carriage was discovered earlier this year, according to a similar Reuters article.

News reporter Michael Crimmins can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @michael_crimm