Throughout our hectic student lives, we should always remain aware of what is happening around us. In this column, I find some of the most significant events happening in the world around us and provide you with a small blurb and nitty-gritty details. Here are some of the major events that have been taking place:
Sandra Day O’Connor, first Woman on the Supreme Court, dies at 93.
The Supreme Court has announced in a press release that retired Associate Justice on the Supreme Court and the first woman to serve on the bench, Sandra Day O’Connor, died on Dec 1. She died in Phoenix due to complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. O’Connor was an influential voice on moderate conservatism. In a court divided on many issues like abortion, sex discrimination and voting rights, O’Connor frequently acted as the tiebreaker vote. Former Justice Anthony M. Kennedy described her with admiration as a pragmatist. O’Connor played an integral role in upholding 1973’s Roe v. Wade, acknowledging the practical benefit of affirmative action programs in 2003’s Grutter v. Bollinger and maintaining respect for religious pluralism in 2005’s McCreary County v. American Civil Liberties Union.
Information from AP News, New York Times and NPR.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire.
After a series of negotiations between Israel and Hamas were brokered by Qatar, a temporary ceasefire went into effect on the morning of Nov. 24, 2023. The established terms of this ceasefire provide for a return of 50 of the 240 Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in exchange for the release of 150 imprisoned Palestinian women and teenagers. The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNWRA, announced that its trucks carrying desperately needed fuel will also be allowed into Gaza to preserve the function of vital hospital and communication systems after widespread blackouts. Humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross are simultaneously distributing medical supplies and other essentials during the ceasefire for Palestinian civilians in Gaza affected by the conflict.
Information from New York Times, UN News and AI Jazeera.
OxyContin manufacturer’s divisive settlement plan for victims will be reviewed by the Supreme Court.
OxyContin manufacturer, Purdue Pharma,filed for bankruptcy in 2019 after facing thousands of lawsuits for deceptive marketing. In exchange for relinquishing ownership of Purdue Pharma and providing $6 billion to fight the opioid crisis partially caused by OxyContin, the wealthy Sackler family would be exempt from thousands of lawsuits. Victims like Ellen Isaacs note the dangerous precedent that such an agreement would set, and demand accountability. The Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments on Dec. 4 regarding the legality of the agreement. The central issue is whether the legal shield that bankruptcy provides can extend to individuals like the Sackler family, who have not declared bankruptcy themselves.
Information from PBS News Hour, AP News and Fortune.
Sources:
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/24/world/israel-hamas-hostage-release-gaza-war
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143892
OxyContin manufacturer’s divisive settlement plan for victims will be reviewed by the Supreme Court.
https://fortune.com/2023/11/23/oxycontin-sackler-family-settlement-faces-supreme-court-scrutiny/
Sandra Day O’Connor, first Woman on the Supreme Court, dies at 93.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/us/sandra-day-oconnor-dead.html
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/01/203277264/sandra-day-oconnor-dies
