Indian woman the first to climb sacred mountain
On Jan. 15, Dhanya Sanal became the first woman to summit the 6,128 foot Agasthyakoodam peak, according to CNN. The sacred mountain was a part of a local custom that previously prohibited females to scale it by the Forestry Department. The local peoples, Kani, opposed women climbers in the past, citing customary reasons, but never officially put a law in place regarding the gender of climbers. The Kani considered the “rock phase” of the peak to be sacred, and utilized the rare herbs that grew over the terrain, traditionally gathered by men. Since the decision to allow female hikers on the mountain, more than 100 women have registered for trekking licenses.
International dispute over moose statues
The town of Moose Jaw, Canada, was previously the “proud owner” of the world’s tallest moose statue, “Mac the Moose,” according to BBC. Mac is 32-feet tall, steel framed, and covered with mesh and cement. However, just a few years ago, the world’s giant deer-family statue population grew, as Norway unveiled a slightly taller elk piece in Trondheim, in the capital of Oslo. As reported in the Daily Scandinavian, Linda Bakke, the artist, wanted the elk to be higher than Mac. Public outcry occurred, as citizens urged the city to add 31 cm to Mac or to just rename Moose Jaw to ”Jaw.”
UN peacekeepers killed in Mali
On Sunday, Jan. 20, 10 United Nations peacekeepers were killed in a United Nations camp in Mali. This incident was believed to be an attack by an unknown party. 25 other individuals were injured in the attack. According to CNN, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres explained the UN’s Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, responded to the attack. The peacekeepers were from Chad and Guterres called on Malian authorities to identify the attackers so they could be brought to justice.
At least 79 killed by pipeline explosion in Mexico
On Friday, a Pemex-owned gasoline pipeline exploded in Tlahuelilpan, Mexico, 80 miles from Mexico City. According to CNN, there is an investigation into the cause of the explosion. Residents in the vicinity of the pipeline, from Tuxpan to Tula, have been evacuated for their safety. 79 bodies were recovered by the accident and 66 other individuals were reported injured. According to Mexico’s Secretary of Public Security, Alfonso Durazo, the fire from the pipeline has been extinguished and rescue teams have begun to recover bodies, stated on his twitter account. This event follows a gas depletion in the nation as gas stations in several cities and the country’s capital have been running out of supply for two weeks. Pemex said that the explosion would not affect the gasoline distribution in Mexico City.
