Taiwan was rocked by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that killed nine people and injured over 1,000. The earthquake struck Hualien County on April 3, BBC News reported. The earthquake was the largest to hit Taiwan in 25 years and caused tsunami alerts in Japan and the Philippines. In September 1999, the island was struck by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that killed 2,400 people.
After weeks of international speculation about her whereabouts and well-being, Catherine, Princess of Wales, also known affectionately by the public as Princess Kate, announced her cancer diagnosis, The New York Times reported.
In a video recorded by BBC Studios, the princess explained that after undergoing surgery in January, doctors discovered cancer growths. Since then, she has begun preventative chemotherapy. She did not specify the type of cancer she was diagnosed with and asked for privacy for her and her family to navigate these circumstances.
Despite recently being placed on the throne after the death of his mother, King Charles III’s health may be putting him at risk of losing said throne.
On Feb. 6, 2024, Buckingham Palace announced in a statement that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. “During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” the statement from Buckingham Palace shared.
Police in Dublin, Ireland, arrested 34 people on the evening of Nov. 23 after riots erupted in the city, the Associated Press reported. According to BBC News, the largest-ever number of riot-trained police in Irish history were deployed, with officers coming from all over the country to quell the unrest of an estimated 500 people participating in the riots.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla of the United Kingdom made their first visit to Kenya as ruling monarchs in late October. This is the first Commonwealth country the king has visited since ascending to the throne in 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, BBC News reported. There has been recent speculation about whether the king would address the violent history of British colonialism in Kenya and issue a formal apology.
One of the world’s most popular sports is having a big moment.
Since Oct. 5, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has been in full swing. Held every four years, this year, the Cricket World Cup is being hosted by India. Spread throughout 10 cities, the World Cup is set to give a boost to the Indian economy, according to CNBC.
Paris has been facing a bed bug infestation since just before Fashion Week 2023, Condé Nast Traveler reported — and pest sightings have not been limited to homes. Bed bugs have been reported in movie theaters, hospitals and trains. While there isn’t a specific known source for the outbreak, it may have something to do with Paris being one of the most visited cities in the world — the last few years have seen record-breaking numbers of travelers.
On Tuesday, April 11, criminal charges were brought against Mexico’s top immigration official, Francisco Garduño, for the fire that killed 40 people in March 2023, NPR reported. Five other lower-ranking officials have also been charged, as well as a Venezuelan migrant. The fire occurred on March 27 in a facility housing 68 men, CNN explained.
The United Nations adopted a new resolution on March 29, 2023, which requested that the International Court of Justice give an advisory opinion on countries’ obligations to combat climate change, a U.N. press release reported. The U.N. also asked the ICJ to weigh in on the consequences for countries that do not provide aid to efforts that combat climate change. The resolution highlighted developing island nations and the global south as regions that experience the impacts of climate change disproportionately.
A Chinese spy balloon was spotted by civilians over Montana. It floated over the United States until it was shot down by a F-22 fighter jet on Feb. 4. Photo courtesy of Chase Doak via Wikimedia Commons.
Elizabeth Murray ’26
Staff Writer
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, a Chinese surveillance balloon was spotted by civilians flying over Montana, The Washington Post reported. In the following days, the balloon made its way across the continental United States. It was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 by an F-22 fighter jet. According to NPR, reactions varied from the serious — such as Secretary of State Anthony Blinken canceling his diplomatic trip to Beijing — to the trivial, including a Saturday Night Live cold open featuring the balloon played by Bowen Yang.
CNN reported on new details that have emerged regarding the capabilities of the balloon since it was shot down. This balloon was part of a larger fleet, and reports have emerged of additional balloons floating over Latin America and the U.S., the article explained. According to Time magazine, the balloon was equipped with “multiple antennas … likely capable of collecting and geolocating communications,” a U.S. official stated. The “undercarriage” of the balloon — where the surveillance equipment is believed to be housed — was spotted among the debris, ABC News said.
Professor Calvin Chen, professor of politics at Mount Holyoke College explained that the use of the balloon comes off as unusual for a country that is widely viewed as being at the forefront of technology. “The fact that they were using balloons perplexed me because they have way more satellites, good satellites. They have an orbit that can be used for surveillance and other purposes. To be caught like this and have it shot down, and have all this kind of bad PR, is a little bit of a head-scratcher to me,” he said.
The political reaction in the U.S. has put a strain on what was already a frosty relationship between the U.S. and China. “Relations between the U.S. and China have been quite tense for some time and this will only make things worse,” Professor Andrew Reiter, associate professor of politics and international relations at Mount Holyoke College, said.
According to CNN, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense responded to the shooting of the balloon by saying, “The U.S. used force to attack our civilian unmanned airship, which is an obvious overreaction. We express solemn protest against this move by the U.S.’ side.” This international incident caused a domestic stir in Congress as well, with senators and representatives of both parties criticizing the Biden Administration’s hesitation to shoot down the balloon, a Politico article said. According to a Reuters article on the issue, Biden addressed this in his State of the Union speech: “I am committed to work with China where we can advance American interests and benefit the world,” he said. “But make no mistake about it: as we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did.”
Looking ahead, relations between the U.S. and China are likely to remain tense. The U.S. and other countries are now on high alert for unfamiliar objects in their airspace.According to the Associated Press, in the span of eight days, four similar objects have been shot down by U.S. fighter jets. According to NBC News, China has also accused the U.S. of flying spy balloons over their airspace, meaning that the issue will likely be a point of diplomatic contention between the two countries.
