Gunman opened fire on Las Vegas crowd
After a gunman opened fire on Oct. 1 at a Las Vegas country music festival, killing 58 people, Las Vegas police have found evidence indicating that he meticulously planned the shooting. NBC News reported that Stephen Paddock prepared extensively; setting up cameras around his hotel room, punching a hole in the window of his suite as well as stockpiling more than 20 machine guns in his room. Altogether, 47 different types of firearms were found in Paddock’s hotel room and residences across the state of Nevada. Las Vegas authorities mentioned that considering the amount and type of weaponry Paddock had, it is a surprise that no one came forward to advise the police force.
Catalonia to declare independence after police violence; Spanish King calls referendum illegal
As Catalans in the northeast region of Spain prepared to vote on the independence referendum on Oct. 1, many were met with violent police clashes in polling stations and in the streets. According to the BBC, Spanish police forces attempted to uphold a Spanish court order that suspended the referendum and, in doing so, injured civilians along the way. In response to the violation of rights and freedoms, thousands of Catalans took to the streets to protest police violence. In an address to the nation, Spanish King Felipe VI denounced the vote for independence as illegal but did not mention the police brutality witnessed within the region.
US Expels Cuban Diplomats after mysterious attack on Havana’s US diplomats
Fifteen Cuban diplomats were expelled from the U.S. on Oct. 3 after a mysterious attack sickened U.S. diplomats in Cuba a few months before with symptoms like hearing loss, headaches, dizziness and cognitive issues — to name a few. A U.S. official told CNN that around 50 attacks were allegedly carried out targeting American diplomats. Officials are still investigating what type of weapon could have caused their illnesses. According to CNN, the State Department issued a statement stating that Havana’s U.S. embassy staff will be reduced by 60 percent following reports that conclude that traveling to Cuba as a U.S. official is hazardous. The U.S. also announced a travel warning for Americans who plan to travel to the island.
Human rights groups urge UN to add Saudi-led coalition to blacklist
Al Jazeera reported that the United Nations may add the Saudi-led coalition onto their blacklist following the release of their annual report on children’s rights violations. This comes as human rights groups pressure the organization to look at cases of child deaths in Yemen. In the 2016 report, former UN chief Ban Ki-moon removed the coalition from the blacklist, amidst threats from Saudi Arabia to cut funding sent to the UN for countries such as Syria and South Sudan. Children’s rights groups, who are seeing first-hand accounts of the atrocities from the war in Yemen, were disappointed to find that the UN would waive the Saudi-led coalition from the list, despite the mounting evidence of human rights violations.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded for 3D visuals of biomolecules; Nobel Peace prize awarded for anti-nuclear weapons campaign
Three scientists were awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry on Oct. 4 for developing a way to view biomolecules three-dimensionally. Their work provides insight to cell processes and the anatomy of proteins, DNA, RNA and viruses. According to the New York Times, the trio’s technique has allowed scientists to use cryo-electron microscopy as a way to analyze structures of mosquito-borne viruses, such as the Zika virus. As the science community continues to assemble detailed images of such viruses, they move closer to producing antiviral drugs. According to the BBC, the Geneva-based International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Ican) received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work to achieve a “treaty prohibition” on nuclear weapons over the last ten years. The prize comes during a time where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has tested nuclear weapons and missiles and President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy the country. The group works to prevent nuclear warfare, stating that it directly punishes and murders civilians, which cannot be allowed.
