World Weekly: 6 June – 12 June

Horrendous mass shooting at Orlando Night Club.

At 2 a.m. on 12 June 2016, after a night of partying at a popular gay nightclub titled ‘the Pulse’, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history was committed in Orlando, FL. The crime was committed by Omar Mateen, a 29 year-old American Citizen, and a former security guard. His father recalled that he was agitated by two men kissing in Miami, which may have triggered the hate crime. In addition to the current death toll of 50, 53 other individuals were hospitalized. CBC has released that a law enforcement official received a 911 call from the club, and that Mateen announced allegiance to the terrorist group ISIS. After entering the nightclub, Mateen took many hostages and exchanged gunfire with police officers. Three hours after the commencement, a SWAT team was sent in to rescue the remaining club attendees. The cause for the delay was a perceived bomb attached to the dead bodies, resulting in further inquiries before the SWAT team and paramedics could enter. As a result of this event, police all around the country have increased security in LGBT communities.

Source and more information can be found here.

Scientists turn carbon dioxide into harmless rock.

Washington scientists have discovered a method to turn heated and enclosed carbon dioxide gas into harmless rock. This experiment, entitled CarbFix, has been developed over a span of 2 years, with 10 million dollars, and is located 540 metres deep in the rocks of Iceland. Accelerating natural processes, scientists use basic chemistry to form a permanent jail for entrapped carbon dioxide. Though this method of carbon capture is seemingly a huge weapon against global warming, its costs are a barrier to its use. The technology to extract carbon from the air is expensive, along with the monitoring required during its storage. In fact, transferring the gas into basalt rock costs roughly 17 million dollars per ton of carbon dioxide. However, researchers are already thinking of potential solutions to break this cost barrier, such as using the rocks on the ocean floor.

Source and more information can be found here.

Barack Obama finally endorses Hilary Clinton.

Obama has finally publicly endorsed fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton as President of the United States. After emerging victorious from a fierce battle against Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton recently tweeted out a video officiating Obama’s endorsement. Obama’s endorsement of Clinton would be the first honest former-presidential endorsement since 1988, an action some hope of preserving as a Democratic legacy. In addition, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders has begun to ease out of competition, claiming he will continue to run to eliminate Donald Trump from the race, rather than to win. Although Bernie Sanders was a fierce adversary against Clinton’s nomination, Obama has promoted the idea that both her and Sanders arewith a heart for the country. Ultimately, this endorsement has been given in hopes for another Democratic government in America.

 

Source and more information can be found here.

A final tribute to an everlasting hero: Muhammad Ali.

Thousands of people from all throughout the world gathered in the Kentucky arena to honour Muhammad Ali in a Muslim service traditionally known as Jenozah. Years before dying, Ali had created his final memorials, intending for them to be in his home town and for everyone to attend. Last week, over 14 000 people of different ages, nationalities, and cultures, bought tickets to attend Ali’s memorial. Many others, who weren’t able to purchase tickets, streamed the event live. The service, which was shorter than an hour, consisted of prayers and speeches. The globalization of the event has played a huge role on informing the public on the Islamic religion, certainly having a positive impact on Islamophobia. Timothy Gianotti, a scholar from University of Waterloo, along with three others, washed and wrapped Ali’s body afterwards.

Source and more information can be found here.

A recall effort against a judge in California started on Monday after the hearing of a sexual assault case at Stanford University. Brock Allen Turner, the accused, was given what many believed to be a merciful sentence, by Justice Aaron Persky. A day after the hearing, a statement from the victim was published, and since then has been viewed over five million times online. The unidentified victim, who is 23-years old, was reportedly attacked during a fraternity party. She mentioned how she remembers drinking that night, but doesn’t remember what happened before she was found behind a dumpster. During the trial, Turner hadn’t acknowledged any fault, yet he had admitted to drinking. Mant interpreted Justice Persky’s ruling as an epitome to the gender inequalities in the American legal system. By Tuesday, the petition against the judge had gathered the support of 240 000 people. Michael Dauber, an organizer of the recall challenge, believed that the judge “misapplied the law”. In contrast, Dan Turner, the father of the accused, said his son should not have been given jail time, explaining that his depression and anxiety was enough of a punishment.

Source and more information can be found here.

Public health crisis in Fallujah as Daesh wrecks havoc. 

The town of Fallujah, Iraq has been captured by Iraqi forces and Shiite militias. After two years of conflict, Iraqi forces finally broke into the city. Almost 50 000 people, 40% of whom are children, are greatly at risk of becoming human shields. Trying to flee isn’t an option, since many who attempt to flee risk death. Amnesty International reported that many people trying to escape have been abused by the militias, while others have been severely tortured at military camps. In the refugee camps, the World Food Program has been supplying food, but cannot provide electricity or clean water. Ever since the air assaults in 2004, Fallujah has suffered major health crises, such as increased cancer rates and infant mortality. The UN has started to address the issue, as Iraq has only received a third of the financial aid it requires.

Source and more information can be found here.