April 15–16 Paris: The Notre Dame Cathedral became engulfed in flames when a fire broke out on the morning of April 15 and continued until the next day. The 12th-century…
Prime Minister Netanyahu re-elected
Despite a close race in Israel’s April 9 snap elections, Benjamin Netanyahu won his fifth consecutive term, making him the longest serving prime minister in Israeli history. Various exit polls,…
U.S. revokes ICC members’ visas
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on March 15 the U.S. is now revoking and denying visas to members of the International Criminal Court seeking to investigate and…
Brunei implements Shariah Law
The Southeast Asian kingdom of Brunei began imposing stoning as a punishment for gay sex and adultery on April 3. According to The New York Times, the new Shariah penal…
Indian anti-satellite test faces criticism
The Indian Space Research Organization destroyed one of its own satellites 300 kilometers above Earth’s surface after launching a ground-based missile on March 27. The test, known as Mission Shakti,…
This Week Around the World – April 7-14:
April 7–13 Libya: Clashes between the two governments in Libya continued for the second week as the UN prepared a counteroffensive dubbed “Volcano of Anger” on April 7 in response…
Gun control around the world
After two mosque shootings in New Zealand, the country drafted new legislation to change gun control laws within two weeks. However, not all countries around the world are so quick…
Female Saudi activists temporarily released
Nearly a dozen Saudi women appeared in front of a three-judge panel on March 27 to recount the stories of torture and sexual harrassment they experienced while imprisoned for the…
This Week Around the World – March 31–April 7:
April 2 Venezuela: Legislators have stripped opposition leader Juan Guaidó of parliamentary immunity which would allow for his arrest and prosecution, The Telegraph reported. Guaidó declared himself president on Jan….
Trump gives Israeli prime minister Syrian territory
President Donald Trump announced via Twitter his move to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. He made the decision official at a signing ceremony on March 26 during Israeli…
Quebec’s secularist bill targets Muslim women
Quebec’s Coalition Avenir, a right-leaning organization, is set to pass a ban on wearing overt religious symbols as a public sector employee. The ban has been criticized for specifically targeting…