Nov. 18 Samoa: The Samoan government announced it would be implementing a new mandatory measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination program amid the measles outbreak that has killed at least…
Johnson & Johnson launches Ebola vaccine
Vaccine to be given to 500,000 despite limited testing Johnson & Johnson launched a new vaccine for Ebola with unknown long-term effects in Congo and plan on injecting approximately 500,000…
African countries increase number of female rangers
African countries that are affected by animal poachers, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, are attempting to increase the number of female rangers to protect endangered species. In Malawi, approximately 11% of…
This Week Around the World – Nov. 11–17
Nov. 11 Warsaw, Poland: At least 47,000 Poles marched through the country’s capital during the annual Independence March, marking the 101-year anniversary of the establishment of Polish republic in 1918,…
Autonomous state status in Kashmir officially revoked
Autonomous state status officially revoked Changes to the Indian Constitution went into effect on Oct. 31, revoking autonomous state status of Indian-administered Kashmir. After the constitutional changes were first announced…
Authorities free 1,500 from abusive schools in Nigeria
Nigerian authorities began conducting raids on Islamic schools, known as almajiri schools, throughout the country and have freed over 1,500 boys and young men who suffered abuse. Authorities said these…
Southern Africa drought affects 45 million people
A drought throughout southern Africa is affecting about 45 million people, causing food insecurity throughout the region. The drought—an ongoing issue throughout southern Africa since 2012—had record low rainfalls as…
Johnson fails to deliver Brexit
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to meet his first Brexit deadline of Oct. 31, despite his “do or die” pledge. Brexit, or “British exit,” began as a referendum that…
This Week Around the World– Nov. 3–10
Nov. 3 Port of Cotonou, Benin: Pirates in the Gulf of Guinea kidnapped nine crew members of the MV Bonita, a Norwegian-flagged ship that was anchored off the coast of…
Air pollution causes public health emergency in New Delhi
New Delhi officials declared a public health emergency on Nov. 1 as a result of air pollution nearly 20 times the levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization. A…
South Sudan declares state of emergency over flooding
Heavy rainfall and flooding displaced tens of thousands of people from their homes throughout several countries in East Africa. Kenya, South Sudan and Somalia are the three most-affected countries. More…