Author: Hannah Elliott

Nigerian Senate Outlaws Ransom Payments and Raises Punishments for Kidnapping

On Wednesday, after much discussion, the Nigerian Senate passed the Terrorism Act. Reforming previous laws regarding kidnapping-terrorism, the new legislation outlines stricter punishments for those involved in kidnapping and those who pay ransom. The death penalty was made mandatory for all those convicted of kidnapping in cases involving the death

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Afgan Schools Turn Away Female Students Due to Taliban Rule

The morning of March 23rd, hundreds of tearful female students filled the streets as they were refused entry to their schools. The Taliban’s Ministry of Education made the announcement late the night before to bar all female students from secondary and high school education, until a plan could be formed

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New Chilean Constitution Includes Reproductive Right To Abortion

Throughout the Americas, there have been numerous social movements advocating for the protection of women’s health and access to reproductive care and abortions. On March 8th, International Women’s Day, thousands of female protesters marched through the streets of Chile’s capital, Santiago, for the legal protection of reproductive rights. A week

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Russian War Crimes Force Ukrainian Maternity Wards Underground

As the first Russian troops breached Ukraine’s borders at the end of February, over one million Ukrainians fled the regions most affected by the invasion. But what of those who could not leave under such short notice? For pregnant mothers close to their due dates, packing up and departing from

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Rise in Mexican Gas Flares Diverge From International Climate Goals

As one of the top countries for oil and gas production and processing, Mexico has increasingly been held responsible for the negative environmental effects of this industry. Although the nation has taken the international pledge to reduce methane gas emissions, Mexico has had an increasing number of gas flares produced

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French President Announces Troop Withdrawal From Mali

For nearly a decade, French troops have been posted in Mali to combat the Islamic militants causing violence throughout the country. However, on Thursday, February 17th, President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal of the French military from Mali, to be moved to other neighboring countries. Throughout the 2010 decade, religious

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Cyber Attacks Against Ukraine Government Possibly Foreshadowing Russian Aggression

On Thursday, January 13th, an extensive cyberattack occurred throughout numerous Ukraine government websites, rendering many inaccessible the following day. The attack caused widespread site interruptions with the message, “be afraid and expect the worst.” Ukraine officials have concluded that no employee personal information was accessed during the attack; however, there

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Chinese Officials Agitated By American Involvement With Taiwan

State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted on Monday stating: “Taiwan is a wanderer who will eventually come home, not a chess piece to be used by others. China must and will be reunified.” This announcement from one of China’s top officials confirms the party’s continuous plan to

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American Efforts to Curb Congolese Wildlife Trafficking

On December 13th, the American Department of State imposed visa restrictions on eight potential wildlife traffickers from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Wildlife and timber trafficking has been an ongoing issue throughout West and Central Africa, with a major hub for international trade out of the DRC. Under section 212(a)(3)(C)

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Poor Recognition of Kurdish Sacrifice by Iraqi Government

On Monday, December 6th, a joint Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga military force took back a northern village captured the previous day by Islamic State militants (ISIL/ISIS). Beginning Sunday, ISIL attacks throughout the region resulted in the death of four Kurdish soldiers and one Kurdish civilian. To reclaim the lost territory,

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Ethiopian Air Raids Threatened The Safety Of UN Humanitarian Aid

On Friday, October 22nd, a United Nations humanitarian aid flight to Mek’ele, in the conflicting Ethiopian region of Tigray, was forced to turn around before landing due to a government air raid sent to the city. While the UN Humanitarian Air Service unit carrying eleven passengers was cleared by the

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