The Signal

Serving the College since 1885

Tuesday May 30th

International


World Health Organization honored Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were unknowingly stolen from her for research purposes(Flickr).

WHO Honors Henrietta Lacks As Family Sues Biotech Company

On Oct. 13, the World Health Organization (WHO) honored Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were unknowingly stolen from her for research purposes. Lacks’s cells were used without consent extensively in the research and treatment of numerous illnesses including HPV, polio, Parkinson’s, HIV/AIDS, numerous types of cancer and even COVID-19, making her incredibly important to medical advancements.  

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A plea to pray for conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death in Essex (Flickr).

UK MP Killed in Stabbing, Labeled a Terrorist Attack

Sir David Amess, Member of Parliament(MP) in the British House of Commons, was stabbed to death on Oct. 15 in Essex, England. According to the BBC, he was attacked at a church in Leigh-on-Sea. Police continue to question a man that they arrested on the suspicion of murder. Amess died at the scene of the stabbing as paramedics attempted to save him. He was 69 years old.  

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This was one of the most significant spills to hit California since the costly 1969 Santa Barbara disaster, which saw over 4 million gallons of oil discharged into the sea(Flickr).

Oil pipeline bursts off the coast of California

On Oct. 2, emergency response crews raced to curtail a sizable oil spill impacting the coast of California’s Orange County. AP reported that the clean-up crews were dispatched after a 13 square mile oil slick was sighted only a few miles away from the shoreline. This was one of the most significant spills to hit California since the costly 1969 Santa Barbara disaster, which saw over 4 million gallons of oil discharged into the sea. 

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Climate change was a huge focal point for this year’s meeting. The goals discussed included limiting global warming levels above 1.5 degrees Celsius, discontinuing funding for new dirty coal plants, and meeting a target of zero carbon emissions by approximately 2050(Flickr).

G20 discuss climate change at meeting in Rome

On Oct. 31, the first GA Summit meeting involving leaders from 20 different countries was held in Rome, Italy for the first time in two years. They tackled multiple global issues centered around shared economic, political and health issues during the meeting. 

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The Biden Administration is already preparing the rollout of vaccines for children(Flickr).

FDA and CDC approve Covid-19 shots for children

For months, many Americans have been awaiting the federal government’s recommendations when it comes to vaccinating their children for Covid-19. On Oct. 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer Vaccine for children ages five to eleven. With the pandemic raging for about 18 months in the United States, a panel of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has voted on the FDA’s decision on Nov. 2. They concurred with the FDA, making children officially able to take the Pfizer Vaccine. 

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For more than two decades, R. Kelly has been faced with numerous allegations of child pornography, having sexual relations with minors, and other various sexual assault cases(Flickr).

R. Kelly found guilty of sex traficking, racketeering

For more than two decades, R. Kelly has been faced with numerous allegations of child pornography, having sexual relations with minors, and other various sexual assault cases. In the past, he has escaped plenty of these charges by having charges dropped, and according to The New York Times, Kelly was acquitted during his trial where 11 victims spoke out about their experiences.  

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Representing billions of people, the annual meeting is a platform where leaders can publicize the agendas and future plans of their countries(Flickr).

An Uncertain Future: Joe Biden and Xi Jinping Address the United Nations

On Sept. 21, the leaders of all 193 United Nations member states convened in New York City to address the organization’s 76th General Assembly. The yearly gathering resumed this fall for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Representing billions of people, the annual meeting is a platform where leaders can publicize the agendas and future plans of their countries.  

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On Sept. 8, a letter was created by faculty at Stanford University in hopes of stopping the China Initiative permanently (Flickr).

Professors at Stanford speak out against racial profiling

On Sept. 8, a letter was created by faculty at Stanford University in hopes of stopping the China Initiative permanently. According to Reuters, this letter states “(I)t is harming the United States’ research and technology competitiveness and it is fueling biases that, in turn, raise concerns about racial profiling.” 

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The bill in question boasts a multitude of new regulations on Texans’ that some say restrict voting rights, most in direct response to GOP allegations of fraud during the 2020 presidential election(Fickr).

Texas passes restrictive voting bill

 After a months-long, drawn-out struggle, Texas Republicans have managed to pass strict voting restrictions against overtures from activists and Democratic lawmakers, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) signing Senate Bill 1 into law on Sept. 6. 

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The international community is scattered when it comes to economically supporting the new Taliban government(Flikr).

Taliban forms government similar to one 25 years ago

 On Aug. 15, 2021, the Taliban took over Kabul, shocking the international community. With the United States pulling out and Afghan officials fleeing the country, the Taliban have been tasked with creating a new government in Afghanistan. For weeks, the world has been waiting for what this new regime will look like. Now, the Taliban have begun constructing their cabinet and enacting policies. 

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The move comes amid growing concerns about the Delta variant of Covid-19, with the President harshly condemning the unvaccinated minority(Flickr).

Biden announces vaccine requirement

On September 9th, President Biden announced a new vaccine requirement for all federal employees and contractors according to AP. The move comes amid growing concerns about the Delta variant of Covid-19, with the President harshly condemning the unvaccinated minority.  

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Northam ordered the Lee statue to be removed but instantly faced multiple lawsuits, citing an agreement made in 1887(Flikr).

Virginia removes controversial Confederate statue

 Cheers broke out as workers removed a statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia on the morning of Sept. 8. This comes after years of fighting by Democratic Governor Ralph Northam to remove six statues celebrating key Confederate figures on a main road in the state capitol.  

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