Jan. 15 Libya: Tripoli airport closed after violent clashes
Fighting broke out between two armed groups in the Libyan capital resulting in at least 20 deaths, 60 wounded and the closure of the Mitiga International Airport. The clashes reportedly erupted when a rebel group attempted to free militants from a nearby prison and were intercepted by the military police unit known as RADA Special Deterrence Forces.
Jan. 16 Chile: Pope greeted by protests over sex abuse scandal
Pope Francis began his Latin American papal tour in Chile amid protests over issues of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. The pope’s decision to name Father Juan Barros, accused of covering up for infamous sexual abuser Fernando Karadima, as Bishop of Orsono has sparked outrage throughout the country. Demonstrations occurred in the capital city throughout the day.
Jan. 17 Nigeria: 10 killed in suicide bombing
A suicide bombing attack has killed at least 10 people and injured at least 65 more at a market in Muna Garage, a camp for displaced people located in the northeastern state of Borno. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack as of Jan. 21.
Jan. 17 Hong Kong: Activist jailed for role in 2014 protests
Prominent activist Joshua Wong was sentenced to three months in jail for his role in the 2014 street protests related to the pro-democracy “Umbrella Movement.” Wong, who came to prominence as a leading player in the movement when he was only 17, was found guilty of criminal contempt of court after refusing to leave a protest zone.
Jan. 18 Russia: Student injures six in ax attack
A ninth-grade student attacked a group of younger students with an ax before setting the room on fire at his school outside the Siberian city of Ulan-Ude. Five students and one teacher were injured. The attacker has since been hospitalized.
Jan. 19 Lebanon: Refugees freeze to death near Syrian border
The Lebanese army recovered the frozen bodies of nine Syrian refugees along a people-smuggling route near the Syria-Lebanon border after a snowstorm hit the region. Six other refugees were rescued alive, one of whom later died of frostbite.
Jan. 21 Jordan: King Abdullah advocates two-state solution in meeting with Pence
Jordan’s King Abdullah II reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a meeting with United States Vice President Mike Pence in Amman. Pence visited Jordan as part of his four-day tour in the Middle East, which began on Jan. 20 in Egypt where he met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
I am a fourth-year student in the University Honors College studying political science and Arabic. I started with Vanguard in August 2017 as a reporter for the international section before becoming international editor at the beginning of this year. I have been working with the news team since spring 2018. As news editor, I am responsible for curating, editing and reporting on content relating to the goings-on of PSU and its surrounding area while working with a team of reporters to accurately and responsibly inform the campus community.
