Author: Amanda Martinez

Prince Andrew has stated that he ceased all contact with a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after receiving government advice. The alleged spy, H6, was banned from the UK due to national security concerns. Moreover, H6 was described in court as a close confidant of Prince Andrew. Furthermore, the court was told that H6 was invited to Prince Andrew’s birthday party in 2020. He was also authorized to act on his behalf in talks with potential investors in China. The UK’s semi-secret national security court upheld the decision to ban H6. Consequently, citing concerns about his attempts to…

During Thursday’s committee meetings, the Anchorage school board deliberated potential changes to Alaska’s school policy on remote learning and rightsizing. While the Mat-Su Borough Schools announced the end of remote learning during severe weather, the Anchorage School District refrained from making an official decision.  ASD Superintendent Jarrett Bryant participated in discussions on various topics, including a new proposal to regulate student use of electronic devices. The proposed policy, BP 5138, outlines distinctions for device use by school level, bans usage in elementary and middle schools, and allows limited use in high schools. Additionally, exceptions for accessibility needs and provisions for…

The Arakan Army (AA) has taken complete control of Rakhine State, marking a significant blow to Myanmar’s military junta. The AA captured the Border Guard Police BGP5 barracks near Maungdaw after a relentless siege lasting months. After the Arakan army seized Rakhine State, it secured the 270 km border with Bangladesh, removing military control from the region for the first time in decades. AA fighters attacked the base with artillery and small arms despite enduring severe casualties due to trenches, bunkers, and more than 1000 landmines. The siege, which began in June, intensified as Myanmar’s air force dropped supplies, yet…

Tunisia’s coast guard recovered nine bodies following the Tunisian refugee boat sinking, which left six people missing. The coast guard rescued at least 27 survivors when the boat took on water and sank off the Tunisian coast. Survivors revealed that 42 people were on board in lousy weather conditions near Chebba during the incident. All passengers hailed from sub-Saharan African Countries, with many hoping to escape to Europe for better lives. Search efforts for the missing six passengers are ongoing, confirmed Judge Farid Ben Jha, who is overseeing the investigation. This tragedy highlights a growing crisis as Tunisia and Libya…

Travis Timmerman was freed from Syrian prison. Travis Timmerman, a 30-year-old American, was found wandering near Damascus after months in a Syrian jail. He had entered Syria on foot seven months ago and was arrested. Timmerman was reported missing in May after he was last seen in Budapest, Hungary. Timmerman described being freed by hammer-wielding men as rebels overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad. He said two men broke open his prison door, and he left with a large group of people. Timmerman had been trying to make his way to Jordon and was grateful for the help he received…

French President Emmanuel Macron will announce a new prime minister to achieve French government stability. This move comes after the French parliament ousted Michel Barnier as prime minister in a non-confidence vote eight days ago. Macron has promised to come up with a replacement. An opinion poll suggests 61% of French voters are worried about the political situation. Macron has been holding round-table talks with leaders from all the main political parties, except for the far-left France Unbowed and far-right National Rally. He will remain in office until 2027 with a government that will not be brought down like Barnier’s…

US President Joe Biden has issued 39 presidential pardons to Americans convicted of non-violent crimes and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 other people. This move marks the most acts of presidential clemency issued in a signal day, underscoring Biden’s commitment to justice reform. According to Biden, the individuals pardoned had shown successful rehabilitation. They have demonstrated a commitment to making their communities stronger and safer. Their non-violent convictions included drug offenses, highlighting the need for a more compassionate approach to drug policy. The commuted sentences were for hundreds of people who were placed in home confinement during the COVID-19…

President Joe Biden pardoned 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes and commuted 1,500 lengthy sentences. The White House announced this as the most presidential clemency act issued in a single day in US history. According to Biden’s statement, the people pardoned were the ones who showed signs of getting better and helped to make their neighborhoods safer. The clemency act included those with drug-related charges and those who received unreasonably lengthy sentences under outdated laws. Hundreds of people who were confined in house confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak had their sentences commuted by Biden. The White House highlighted notable recipients…

Romania and Bulgaria are finally joining the European Union’s border-free Schengen travel zone, which will be a relief to the 25 million people living in these countries. This decision comes 17 years after Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed it as a day of joy. The new laws will take effect on January 1, 2025. Travelers will drive from Romania and Bulgaria to France, Spain, or Norway without a passport. Although border checks were lifted for air and sea travel last March, Austria only recently lifted its resistance to ending land…

Queensland’s new youth justice reform, baked by Premier David Crisafulli, will allow children as young as 10 to face adult jail time for serious crimes. This decision has sparked controversy among experts. The Queensland government claims the new laws will be a deterrent and address community concerns about youth crimes. However, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that youth crime has decreased by half over the past 14 years. Additionally, the laws list 13 offenses that will carry harsher prison sentences for youths, including mandatory life detention for murder with a non-parole period of 20 years. Previously, the maximum…

Yoon Suk Yeol, the President of South Korea, justified his decision to impose martial law, saying it was a critical decision he made to save democracy. In a Thursday broadcast speech, Yoon claimed the action was intended to combat the opposition’s “parliamentary dictatorship.” He made these comments as lawmakers are ready for this Saturday’s second impeachment vote. Yoon faced instant criticism and widespread protests after imposing martial law, which parliament overturned in six hours. Protesters took to the streets of Seoul, demanding his resignation and accusing him of rebellion. Police raided Yoon’s office on wednesday, further escalating the situation. Despite…

When Bashar-al-Assad’s regime fell, Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, promised to shut down Assad’s torture prisons. The rebel forces freed thousands of detainees from Saydnaya prison, which was infamous for its harsh conditions and named by the right group as a “human slaughterhouse.” Jolani’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led the invasion that overthrew Assad and put an end to his family’s 54-year rule. Around 60,000 people died in Assad’s prisons due to torture, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Jolani declared that his group would hunt those involved in the atrocities,…