World News in Review

The Queen’s funeral has taken over all news outlets; however, there is still a lot of important news going on in the world that is being overlooked by this event. 

Hurricane Fiona leaves Puerto Rico powerless, again

Almost exactly five years after Hurricane Maria impacted Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona left the island powerless and without running water. 

On Sept. 18, an hour before the eye of the storm reached the island’s southwestern coast, an island-wide blackout was reported, leaving 1.5 million people without power. 

As of Sept. 21, only 27 percent of the island’s power has been restored, with an estimated two to three months before full power is restored. 

On top of the electricity crisis, there have also been struggles with the water supply. As of Sept. 21 about 41 percent of residents did not have access to water, with most of the water deemed unsafe to give to residents. 

NBC News reported that on Sept. 21 President Biden approved a disaster declaration for Puerto Rico. This declaration will give residents affected by the storm access to emergency individual and public assistance. 

So far, according to NBC News, as of Sept. 21 five deaths have been reported as Hurricane Fiona moves toward the United States. 

Protests in Iran turn deadly

Following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Iran, who was detained and died in the custody of the morality police, protests have started in Iran. 

State-affiliated media reported that Amini had a heart attack, and then slipped into a coma while in custody. Activists in the country have asserted that Amini was instead beaten by the police. Edited CCTV footage was released, but the family has demanded for the footage to be released unedited. 

The strict enforcement of the country’s ultraconservative dress code has caused outrage. Since the protests started, it has been reported that the government has banned citizens’ access to the internet, cellular networks, Instagram, and WhatsApp. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 21, Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi ignored Amini’s death in his first speech to the U.N. General Assembly in New York and accused the West of a  “double standard” when it comes to human rights. 

Protests have been going on in numerous places across Iran, including the capital, Tehran. According to activists, seven people have been killed and hundreds have been injured or arrested. 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sued by migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard

Under Ron DeSantis’s new program, migrants from Texas were flown to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. These migrants then sued DeSantis and other state officials, alleging they were victims of fraud for political purposes. 

Chicago-based network, Alianza Americas, a migrant-led organization, accused DeSantis and others of executing, “a premeditated, fraudulent, and illegal scheme … for the sole purpose of advancing their own personal, financial and political interests,” reported NBC News. 

In a new lawsuit, while seeking damages, they also are asking that the court blocks DeSantis and others involved from, “inducing immigrants to travel across state lines by fraud and misrepresentation.”

DeSantis has stated that he broke no laws and will continue his program to relocate migrants across the country.