Pope Francis Visits DR Congo on Historic Trip to Africa

In his speech he [The Pope] condemned western nations’ economic involvement in the region, calling for them to stop carving up the nation and acknowledge the role they are playing in the economic enslavement of the Congolese people, exclaiming “Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo! Hands off Africa!” 

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FOCUS on Growing Protests: Pakistan

On October 11, a school van driver was killed, and a student was injured in a shooting by an unidentified assailant in Mingora, a town in Pakistan’s Swat district. This act of violence sparked massive outrage and the largest protests in the district’s history, with more than 15,000 people attending, according to Al Jazeera, marking the sixth protest in almost 2 months.

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Pakistan Receives International Aid After Devastating Floods

Since mid-June Pakistan has been devastated by floods with an estimated 1,400 dead, and over 30 million people displaced, according to The New York Times. The nation’s Minister of Finance, Miftah Ismail, estimates that there have been around $10 billion in damages caused by the flooding, however, others believe that there could be up to twice that amount and that the damages will only continue to rise, reports Al Jazeera.

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Solomon Islands Security Deal with China Sends Shockwaves Across Pacific

A recent leaked report reveals that the Solomon Islands has drafted a security agreement with China, reports CBS News. This agreement would allow China to deploy military personnel and armed police in the islands, as well as permit Chinese warships to visit the nation, according to the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Though the leaked document has yet to be formalized, it has generated significant international concern and criticism. 

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Myanmar Military Vows to ‘Annihilate’ Resistance

Myanmar’s military vowed to crack down on opposition forces as the nation celebrated its Armed Forces Day, reports Al Jazeera. The leader of Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, claimed that his forces would ‘annihilate’ civilian opposition groups and urged ethnic minorities away from supporting militia groups that oppose the Tatmadaw, the country’s military-led government. However, one civilian resistance group, the National Unity Government, prompted people to take part in a ‘Power Strike’, turning off their lights and TVs during the parade broadcast ABC News reports. 

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Ex-Honduran President Could Face Extradition to U.S.

A Honduran judge authorized the extradition of ex-president Juan Orlando Hernandez,  a month after police arrested him at his house per the request of the United States government, reports The Washington Post. The Associated Press notes that allegations against Hernandez were revealed in the trials of both Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez, a former Honduran congressman, and the president’s brother, and Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez. Hernandez will face charges of manufacturing, trafficking, and distribution of drugs and firearms in southern New York. 

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