Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh face humanitarian crisis
Over 100,000 Nagorno-Karabakh refugees had crossed the Armenia-Azerbaijan border into Armenia as of Sept. 24, 2023, Armenpress reported. Only 34,607 of those refugees had been accepted by the government for accommodation. As of Sept. 24, Armenia had space to accommodate only 40,000 people from the Nagorno-Karab region of Azerbaijan, according to Reuters.
The United Nations begins its 78th General Assembly Session
Tensions ran high at a recent United Nations meeting in New York City, where discussions about climate disasters, the ongoing war in Ukraine and the absence of several prominent world leaders divided delegates. During the week of Sept. 18, world leaders gathered for the U.N.’s 78th General Assembly Session. According to The New York Times, only one of the world leaders of the five permanent members of the Security Council, President Joe Biden of the United States, attended.
Relations between Canada and India become tense after the murder of prominent Sikh-Canadian activist
The murder of a prominent Sikh-Canadian activist has sparked worldwide protest, as many believe the Indian government may be responsible for the attack. On June 18, 2023, Sikh-Canadian activist Hardeep Singh Nijar was murdered while outside a Sikh temple in a city in British Columbia, Canada, according to Al Jazeera. BBC News reported that Nijar was fatally shot by two masked gunmen while in his truck. The following month, protests began in Toronto and around the world in opposition to what is believed to be the Indian government’s involvement in Nijar’s murder.
Supreme Court of Mexico rules to decriminalize abortion
Five key takeaways from the G20 Summit
From Sept. 9-10, the 18th annual Group of 20 Summit — an intergovernmental platform that includes 20 of the world’s largest economies — took place in New Delhi, India. Its members include 19 sovereign states alongside the European Union and the African Union. This group accounts for nearly two-thirds of the global population, as well as over 75 percent of worldwide trade and 85 percent of global GDP, according to the G20 Secretariat. It was founded in 1999 following the Asian financial crisis as a call to facilitate global economic cooperation.
Thousands have been killed by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco
On Sept. 8, 2023, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco, killing thousands in the Al Haouz, Ouarzazate and Marrakech provinces, NBC News reported. Marrakech is the country’s most visited tourist attraction and home to a UNESCO World Heritage site. Video footage shared by NBC News showed people evacuating city establishments and attempting to find safety from crumbling buildings.
Monumental referendum to halt drilling in Ecuador's Amazon up for vote in August
Human rights groups decry sentencing of Guatemalan investigative journalist, José Zamora
On June 14, 2023, José Zamora, a prominent Guatemalan journalist, was sentenced to six years in prison on money laundering charges according to BBC World News. Reuters reported that Zamora was issued a fine of 300,000 quetzal, equivalent to $38,339 USD. The charges have been condemned by human rights organizations and described by Zamora himself as “political persecution.” Reuters also reported that the trial and verdict have led human rights groups to call the trial, happening under President Alejandro Giammattei’s administration, an attack on free speech, along with other actions against Zamora’s newspaper and journalists reporting on the corruption of the Guatemalan government.
Fatal police shooting revives conversations about racial discrimination in France
On June 27, 2023, Nahel M, a 17-year-old French boy, was fatally shot by police in the suburbs of France. According to BBC, he was shot at the wheel for driving away during a police traffic check. According to CNN, the prosecutor of the case, Pascal Prache, said that the officer claims he fired the gun in fear that Nahel would run someone over. The officer that shot him is now under formal investigation for voluntary homicide and is being contained in preliminary custody.
Fighting breaks out in Sudan between Rapid Support Forces and military
A recent conflict in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has raised concerns over the prospect of a civil war. On April 15, 2023, fighting erupted in Khartoum between the Sudanese Armed Forces and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, Al Jazeera reported. Not only could the conflict cause damage to Sudan’s transition to democracy, but experts warn it also has implications for the already unstable region.
The U.S. leads campaign to end migration through the Darién Gap
The United States, Panama and Colombia have issued a new plan to end migration through the Darién Gap, a jungle passage between Colombia and Panama. According to Al Jazeera, this 60-day campaign was created to “end the illicit movement of people and goods through the Darién by both land and maritime corridors,” and will implement “new lawful and flexible pathways for tens of thousands of migrants and refugees,” per a U.S. Department of Homeland Security statement. The Associated Press described the third part of this new plan as an investment to lessen poverty and build more jobs in the communities that are on the border of Colombia and Panama to discourage trade from smuggling migrants.
Mexican immigration officials charged for the Ciudad Juárez migrant center fire
On Tuesday, April 11, criminal charges were brought against Mexico’s top immigration official, Francisco Garduño, for the fire that killed 40 people in March 2023, NPR reported. Five other lower-ranking officials have also been charged, as well as a Venezuelan migrant. The fire occurred on March 27 in a facility housing 68 men, CNN explained.
Air National Guard employee leaks classified Pentagon documents
On April 14, 2023, Jack Teixeira, who was charged with releasing classified government documents, appeared in federal court for a hearing, NBC Boston reported. According to BBC News, the documents contained information describing how the United States government views Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with information about allies of the U.S. and their involvement in the war. The leaked documents have raised concerns about how safe classified information is in the U.S..
Military unification efforts in Ethiopia lead to violent protests
Large protests, which began on April 5, 2023, have taken place in Ethiopia’s Amhara region in reaction to the government’s decision to create a unified paramilitary force, BBC reported. According to Reuters, members of Amhara’s special forces and militias opposed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s command to merge the regional military with the national force. Ahmed has claimed that the new plan was made “for the sake of Ethiopia’s national unity.”
Wall Street Journal reporter stationed in Moscow arrested on spy charges
On March 30, 2023, the Russian Federal Security Service announced that they had detained Evan Gershkovich, an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and were opening an espionage case against him, The Guardian reported. According to CNN, the FSB has charged Gershkovich with attempting to “obtain state secrets.” Almar Latour, chief executive of Dow Jones, the company that publishes The Wall Street Journal, has staunchly denied this allegation.
United Nations adopts new, more progressive climate change initiatives
The United Nations adopted a new resolution on March 29, 2023, which requested that the International Court of Justice give an advisory opinion on countries’ obligations to combat climate change, a U.N. press release reported. The U.N. also asked the ICJ to weigh in on the consequences for countries that do not provide aid to efforts that combat climate change. The resolution highlighted developing island nations and the global south as regions that experience the impacts of climate change disproportionately.
Fatal fire at Mexican migrant detention center kills asylum seekers
On March 27, 2023, at least 38 migrants from Central and South America died in a fire at a migrant detention center in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Reuters reported. According to NPR, a surveillance video, which was posted online, shows detainees trapped in a locked cell while uniformed agents left the building without aiding them. BBC reported that the agents ignored the men trying to escape the fire while they yelled and banged on the door. After the smoke filled the room, however, it is unknown what took place at the facility.
Proposed judicial overhaul of Israeli judicial system sparks mass protests
On March 27, 2023, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will be delaying the proposed judicial reforms that were announced earlier this year. According to an Al Jazeera news article, this announcement followed a mass strike of workers across the country, as well as protests from tens of thousands of Israelis opposed to the reforms. Malls and kindergartens were closed, seaport workers refused to work and flights were suspended at Ben Gurion International Airport. Al Jazeera also explained that the delay announced last Monday means that the proposed changes will not be voted on by parliament until late April at the earliest.
