Author: Janice Rapp

Argentina Senate Legalizes Abortion

On Wednesday, December 30, Argentina’s Senate voted to legalize elective abortion. This major shift comes during a push by women’s rights activists throughout Latin America, and is especially notable because of Argentina’s predominantly Roman Catholic population, even being the birthplace of the current Pope Francis. Once the legislation is signed,

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French Activists In Uproar Over Proposed Limits On Filming Police

In France, a new proposed security law has caused activists to fear the loss of a major weapon against police abuse: video footage. This footage, taken on cellphones, is used throughout the world to record and report cases of police brutality, often in impoverished immigrant neighborhoods. The bill will make

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13 Dead After Police Raid On Nightclub In Peru

13 people died after a police raid on a 120-person party in a nightclub in Lima, Peru. Six more people were injured, including three police officers, as the 120 people tried to escape the club, called the Thomas Restobar club, in the Los Olivos district on Saturday, August 22nd. Neighbours

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Belarus’ Opposition Candidate Forced Into Hiding On Eve Of Presidential Election

On the eve of Belarus’ August 9 presidential election, main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya went into hiding before challenging the current president, Alexander Lukashenko, who is seeking his sixth term. Representatives of Tikhanovskaya’s campaign said that she fled her apartment for safety reasons ahead of Sunday’s election, after police detained

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Poland Leaves Treaty Aimed At Preventing Violence Against Women

Poland is currently facing criticism after announcing its intentions to pull out of a pan-European convention combating violence against women. On Saturday, Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro announced that Poland would begin to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, according to the state-run Polish Press Agency, primarily due to the convention violating

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Bolsonaro Being Sued After Removing Mask During Press Conference

The Brazilian Press Association has expressed plans to file a lawsuit in Brazil’s Supreme Court against President Jair Bolsonaro after the president removed his mask during a press conference on Tuesday, possibly exposing members of the media to COVID-19. The association, known as ABI which advocates for Brazilian journalists, alleged

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Saudi Arabia Ends Coronavirus Curfew Despite Spike In Infections

On Sunday 21 June, Saudi Arabia ended a nationwide coronavirus curfew, lifting restrictions on businesses. This includes hair salons and cinemas, after three months of very tight restrictions. Prayers have been allowed to resume in mosques in Mecca, in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is due to begin

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China Continues To Pressure The South China Sea

For more than one month earlier this year, Chinese and Malaysian vessels faced off in the South China Sea. When a Malaysian-authorized drill ship called the West Capella was looking for resources in waters also claimed by Beijing, a Chinese survey vessel, accompanied by coast guard ships, sailed into the

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Arms Control Treaty Between U.S. And Russia To Expire

On February 5th of 2021, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the only remaining U.S.-Russia arms control pact, will expire. Russia has already offered to extend the treaty, called New START for short, for up to five more years. However, Donald Trump does not want to extend the treaty or

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Burundi Vote Campaign Begins In Shadow Of Violence And COVID-19

On Monday, Burundi’s political parties started campaigning for next month’s presidential elections despite opposition accusations of intimidation, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In Burundi, there has only been one death and fifteen Coronavirus cases found with minimal symptoms; thus, authorities are pushing for the May 20th vote, searching

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Coronavirus Threatens Indigenous South American Communities

In South America, indigenous tribes are isolating themselves from the rest of the world as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Due to their usual isolation, they are poorly-equipped to deal with the disease, partly because of a lack of exposure to diseases that are commonplace throughout the rest of

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Singapore Gay Sex Ban: Court Rejects Appeals To Overturn Law

On March 30th, 2020, a bid to overturn a law that criminalizes gay sex in Singapore was dismissed by the country’s High Court. Three gay men, a doctor, a DJ, and an LGBT rights advocate challenged the court in order to prove the unconstitutionality of the law. However, the High

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Brazilians Protest Over Bolsonaro’s Muddled Coronavirus Response

Brazil’s far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, has continually downplayed the coronavirus pandemic. He has criticized efforts to contain the virus via quarantines and shutdowns, calling Brazilian governors “irresponsible” in an interview with CNN. He has maintained this stance even after his possible exposure to the virus while visiting the US to

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Turkey Shoots Down Third Plane As Syrian Forces Retake Town

On the 2 March 2020, Turkish forces shot down a fighter jet flown by Syrian government forces, over southern Idlib. Meanwhile, Syrian forces have retaken the strategic town of Saraqeb in Northwest Syria, combing through neighbourhoods and further endangering the lives of civilians. Both Syrian media and the Turkish defense

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