FRANCE
Crystal Foretia, Reporter
Politics: France is currently embroiled in “L’affaire Benalla”—Alexandre Benalla, an advisor to President Macron, was caught on video assaulting at least two people during a May protest in Paris. Le Monde confirmed and identified Benalla on July 18. Benalla, after changing administrative posts in May and June, was fired on July 20.
Economics: According to an internal document, railway workers’ strikes will have costed the company SNCF about 21 million euros per day. The strikes began on March 22 and ended on June 28. The thirty seven days of protest culminate in 790 million euros.
Culture: France won the FIFA World Cup, beating Croatia 4-2. This is France’s first World Cup victory since 1998. Prior to 2018, France made it to the quarter-finals of the 2014 tournament and were runner-ups in 2006. Much controversy stems from that fact that French soccer team is composed of African immigrants.
EUROPE
FINLAND
Fatima Yousuf, Editor-in-Chief
Politics - Finland's nine parliamentary parties are all prepared to push a long-proposed and debated child care reform in order to help mitigate the population crisis as Finland’s birth rate hits an all-time low.
Economics - Finland will grant 15 million euros to Ukraine in order to improve educational and energy efficiency.
Culture - Indigenous Sami women from Finland are raising their voices in government and working towards protecting Finland’s forests and reindeer from the harsh effects of climate change.
SOUTH AMERICA
NICARAGUA
Tuhin Chakraborty, Copy Editor
Politics: The army of embattled president Daniel Ortega recently besieged and bombarded student protesters at the Church of the Divine mercy in the national capital of Managua. The protesters were advocating against Ortega’s authoritarian rule.
Economics: As previously stated, the current political turmoil is having disastrous effects on the country. However, there are also economic implications as affluent Nicaraguans, fearing the country’s instability, withdraw money from local banks for storage elsewhere.
Culture: On a rare positive note from Nicaragua, deaf children in Nicaragua were actually able to create their own sign language, known as Nicaraguan Sign Language. It is currently the only known sign language ever spontaneously created without the aid of other languages.