Kiera McLaughlin

“The forgotten tragedy:” Sudan’s civil war leads to humanitarian crisis, affecting millions

“The forgotten tragedy:” Sudan’s civil war leads to humanitarian crisis, affecting millions

For over a year, the civil war in Sudan has terrorized civilians and led to an expanding humanitarian crisis affecting the entire nation.

On April 15, 2023, fighting escalated between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces.This has caused more than 8.6 million people in Sudan to be displaced internally and externally as refugees, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. Essential services are also under attack, leaving communities without healthcare options.

Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro visits Mount Holyoke College, discusses Afro-Puerto Rican feminism

Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro visits Mount Holyoke College, discusses Afro-Puerto Rican feminism

Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro, an Afro-Puerto Rican activist and writer, graced Mount Holyoke College and the surrounding community with facilitated discussions around Puerto Rico and the importance of her movement: the Ancestras — Spanish for ancestors. 

Former prime minister Alexander Stub emerges victorious in Finland's 2024 Election

Former prime minister Alexander Stub emerges victorious in Finland's 2024 Election

Alexander Stubb, the former prime minister of Finland, has seized a victory in the presidential election, marking a significant turning point in Finnish politics. His win comes amidst heightened tensions in the Baltic region and a growing concern over Finland’s security alliance.

US vetoes immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, presents its own resolution to the U.N.

US vetoes immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, presents its own resolution to the U.N.

In recent weeks, the United States has faced criticism both from the international community and from U.S. citizens for its stance on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. On Feb. 20, 2024, the United States vetoed the Algerian draft proposal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire at the U.N. Security Council vote, NPR reported.

President Bukele wins controversial re-election in El Salvador amidst human rights concerns

President Bukele wins controversial re-election in El Salvador amidst human rights concerns

The re-election of Nayib Bukele in El Salvador has brought strong controversy among the international community. On Feb. 5, 2024, President Bukele appeared to have won the election with 83% of the vote, at 70% of the votes counted, winning with a strong majority, BBC News reported.

International Court of Justice reaches first verdict on genocide case in Gaza

International Court of Justice reaches first verdict on genocide case in Gaza

As the war in Israel and the Gaza Strip continues, the international community has been reactive, but a new verdict has started to change many countries’ stances. On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the International Court of Justice against the Israeli government.

FBI sting operation reveals possible 40-year espionage

FBI sting operation reveals possible 40-year espionage

Former U.S. Ambassador Manuel Rocha has been arrested after allegedly spying for Cuba’s General Directorate of Intelligence for more than 40 years. On Dec. 4, 2023, the Justice Department publicized the charges against Rocha, which directly cite him as being a “clandestine agent,” The Washington Post reported.

Online recruiters trick Cubans into fighting in Russia’s war

Online recruiters trick Cubans into fighting in Russia’s war

In recent months, online personalities have been recruiting Cuban nationals to fight for Russia in the war with Ukraine through platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. While initially promised money and employment, they are then forced to the front lines of the war upon arriving in Russia, CNN reported.

Venezuela has first opposition primary election in 11 years

Venezuela has first opposition primary election in 11 years

In the face of Venezuela’s first opposition primary election in 11 years, the United States made a deal with Venezuela that involved lifting sanctions on oil exports. This deal demanded a fair election for opposing parties, but sitting President Nicolás Maduro refused. However, on Oct. 26, 2023, María Corina Machado was declared the winner of the presidential primary election, Reuters reported. According to Al Jazeera, the former lawmaker will be running against current President Maduro in a general election in late 2024.

Polish election ends eight year long conservative majority

Polish election ends eight year long conservative majority

This past week, thousands of people, many of them women and youths, turned out to the polls in record numbers, taking the Poland election into their own hands to oust the conservative Law and Order party, also known as the PiS.

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Human rights groups decry sentencing of Guatemalan investigative journalist, José Zamora

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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

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.

The U.S. leads campaign to end migration through the Darién Gap

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.

Military unification efforts in Ethiopia lead to violent protests

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.”

Fatal fire at Mexican migrant detention center kills asylum seekers

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.

20 years have passed since the US-led invasion in Iraq

20 years have passed since the US-led invasion in Iraq

20 years ago on March 20, 2003, the United States invaded Iraq, starting the war on terror with the goal of ending President Saddam Hussein’s rule and removing the alleged weapons of mass destruction from Iraq, Al Jazeera reported. According to Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S., the United Kingdom and other allies swiftly took over the Iraqi Army, and three weeks after the invasion U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians pulled down a statue of Saddam.

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