News Brief

The world spins pretty fast. Here’s the news you need to know. (All information as of October 28)

Alex Kil, Hadam Che, and Olivia Wasmund | November 14, 2022

Alex Jones and the Sandy Hook Controversy

Alex Jones, the influential American conspiracy theorist, was ordered to pay $965 million in damages by a U.S. jury to the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre. On Infowars, Jones' fake news radio show, he claimed that the mass shooting was as "phony as a three-dollar-bill", and that the family of the victims were "crisis actors" (NYT). It seems that his claims that the infamous Sandy Hook shooting — in which 20 children and 6 educators were murdered was a hoax — finally crossed the line. These lies caused serious emotional distress to the families of the victims, as they suffered death threats and harassment. Sued for defamation, Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1 billion for his irresponsible statements across his media platforms.

Russia-Ukraine War: History, Updates, Outlooks The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24. After the annexation of Crimea in 2014, this marked the first major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. While both countries are suffering major losses, civilian casualties as well as severe destruction of national heritage are concentrated in Ukraine.

After nearly eight months of conflict, the prospect has shifted, with Ukraine's army far outlasting the prediction of most military analysts. The country saw significant success in September, reclaiming over 8,000 km2 of territory in the northeast, including the cities of Izyum and Kupiansk, Russia's main supply hubs. Experts perceive the Russian military's retreat from these two regions as a sign of Ukraine's possible impending victory. Currently, Russia holds approximately 20% of Ukraine's territory. Although the future of the conflict remains unclear, it seems that, for now, Russia's ambition has been limited to seizing Ukraine's east and south regions.

Protests In Iran: The Uprising Of Iranian Women Thousands of protestors line the streets in 80 cities across Iran, chanting and waving discarded hijabs, the headscarves required for women by the Islamic laws of the Iranian government. On September 16, Mahsa Amini, 22, died in police custody after her arrest in Tehran for allegedly wearing her head covering too loose, violating the country's extreme dress code (NPR). Authorities insist Amini suffered a heart attack, but family members suspect police brutality was the cause of her death. An unprecedented number of Iranians across class and ethnic lines turned out in solidarity.

While outrage over Amini's death sparked the flame, a tanking economy, and the stifling restrictions that prevent basic freedoms for Iranians led protestors to torch local police stations and vehicles (NYT). These nationwide protests are unlikely to reform the theocratic government, but discontent with the regime is now uncovered, just like the strength and courage of the Iranian women.