Author: Amanda Martinez

A public investigation seven years after the devastating 72-person Grenfell Tower fire in West London has revealed a network of ineptitude and greed. The 1,671-page final study blamed Britain’s worst house fire since World War II on irresponsible deregulation, dishonest manufacturers, and local government cost-cutting. According to the investigation, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea collaborated with contractors installing cheap, flammable siding on Grenfell Tower to save costs. On June 14, 2017, this cladding, bought from vendors who knew its risks, turned the building into a death trap. The American supplier of the cladding, Arconic, came under heavy criticism.…

The former mayor of the Philippines, Alice Guo, was apprehended in Indonesia following many weeks of evasion. Since July, Guo has been the target of four separate nations by Philippine officials, who are investigating her possible role in China-sponsored espionage and protection of criminal syndicates. Guo, who disputes the accusations, faces charges of using her position to protect internet casinos in her hometown of Bamban from being exploited for human trafficking and fraud. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced her arrest and approved her extradition to the Philippines, effective as early as Wednesday. He warned anybody trying to elude punishment that “the…

Improving trade tensions between China and Canada have reached a boiling point. Last week, Canada announced tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. Now, China is fighting back with a probe into Canadian canola imports, which could lead to tariffs on a crucial Canadian export. The investigation, announced by China’s Ministry of Commerce, cites dumping concerns. China claims Canadian canola imports have surged 170% since 2023, while prices have continuously fallen. It, China argues, is evidence of unfair trade practices. Canada’s agriculture minister, Lawrence MacAulay, calls the probe “deeply concerning.” He vows to defend and support Canadian farmers, who…

Mexico’s judicial reform bill has cleared a major hurdle, passing the lower chamber with 359 votes in favor and 135 against. The bill, championed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, aims to change how judges are selected. Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and approved by senators. Under the new system, justices will be elected by popular vote. Proponents argue this will make judges more accountable to the people. However, critics warn it could expose them to influence from powerful local figures, including those tied to organized crime. They also argue the reform doesn’t address key issues like…

The abrupt departure of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, and her deportation to India that followed have presented serious diplomatic difficulties for New Delhi. Even though Hasina had only intended to be in India for a brief visit, she stayed longer. This follows her abortive attempts to apply for refuge in the US, the UK, and the UAE. Sheikh Hasina’s exile in India has complicated Delhi’s authority and placed great strain on Bangladesh’s interim administration. India sees Bangladesh as a critical strategic partner for safeguarding its northeastern border regions. Sheikh Hasina’s administration has improved bilateral relations significantly since taking…

The Russian President visited Mongolia for the first time since the ICC’s detention decision earlier this year. Much discussion has surrounded Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia. On Tuesday, under an ICC warrant, he received a warm welcome from President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating President Putin for war crimes, including kidnapping Ukrainian youngsters. Despite the additional warrant issued for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, the Russian President received a warm welcome with pomp and ceremony. His meeting with Mongolian officials was accompanied by mounted soldiers and a band performing martial…

A deadly prison break attempt in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, has left 129 people dead. Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani revealed that 24 inmates died from bullet wounds after warning shots were fired. Most others suffocated in a crash during the chaotic breakout at Makala Prison. The government initially downplayed the incident, reporting only two deaths. However, eyewitnesses and graphic videos revealed the true extent of the tragedy. Resident Daddi Soso described hearing gunshots from 1 am to 5 am and seeing security forces remove bodies. Minister Shabani acknowledged the incident on social media, commending security forces for containing the…

A massive oil spill is looming in the Red Sea after Houthi rebels attacked a Greek-owned tanker. The MV Sounion, carrying one million barrels of oil, was hit on August 21 and abandoned by its crew. Now, a salvage operation is underway to prevent a disaster. The attack was part of a campaign by the Iran-backed Houthi group, which claims to support Hamas in Gaza. However, the rebels have targeted several ships in the Red Sea over the past 10 months, sparking international concern. Tanker Attack Sparks Environmental Alarm The US military warns that the stricken tanker poses a significant…

A shocking trial began in Avignon, France, involving a 71-year-old man accused of drugging and raping his wife for nearly a decade. Dominique P allegedly recruited dozens of strangers online to join in the abuse. His wife, 72, was unaware of the extent of the horror she endured. Police identified 92 rapes committed by 72 men. Fifty were charged and are standing trial alongside the husband. The victim only discovered the abuse in 2020 when police informed her. This revelation marked the beginning of a harrowing journey for the woman. As the trial unfolds, the woman will see video evidence…

Russian missile strikes hit Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, just hours before the new school year began. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage to a water treatment plant, a metro station, two schools, and a university. Despite the chaos, Ukrainian forces successfully destroyed 22 incoming missiles. Despite the morning’s chaos, teachers and parents joined forces to create a sense of calm and normalcy as children headed back to school. Music played, and flowers welcomed students, but the strain on teachers’ faces was evident. One parent, who hid with her daughter during the attack, praised teachers for making the day special despite the challenges.…

In Germany, a far-right party has won a state election for the first time since World War II. Thuringia won by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 32.8% of the vote. This was a higher proportion of votes than the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which received 23.6% of the vote. The outcome of Sunday’s regional elections has drastically altered the political environment. In addition, the adjacent state of Saxony is a stronghold for the far-right AfD. As of Monday, the CDU is predicted to have received 31.9% of the vote, only 0.6% higher than the AfD, which is anticipated…

Scientists recently discovered vast water reservoirs hidden deep beneath Earth’s mantle, marking a significant breakthrough. This discovery suggests that the water within Earth’s interior might exceed the volume of all surface oceans combined, potentially transforming our understanding of the planet’s water cycle and geological history. The joint efforts of geophysicists and seismologists, primarily associated with Northwestern University and the University of New Mexico, enabled the identification of this hidden hydrosphere. To determine the origin of this water source in the “transition zone” of Earth’s mantle, located between 250 and 410 miles below the surface, the team led by Steve Jacobsen…