Geopolitics: An Increasingly Tense Situation for Afghans in Iran
More than two years ago, power was seized, once again, by the Taliban in Kabul, leading many Afghans to seek refuge in Iran. On September 23, however, after several attacks by terrorists linked to Afghanistan — including August 13, when the religious sanctuary of Shiraz was struck — fear of the Taliban is increasing amongst the Afghans, and access to many shopping centers, and even provinces, is now denied to Afghans, according to “Le Courrier International.” With over seven million Afghans now living in Iran, some with strong political and religious convictions, many are concerned about the possible radicalization of Iranian society. Since the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022, while in the custody of the morality police, protests have multiplied. Presently, some are convinced that the authorities are actively encouraging Afghans to settle in Iran, in line with their political convictions, and are helping to keep the displaced Afghans feeling safe within the country.
Culture/History: Argentina’s Largest Dictatorship Torture Center Added to UNESCO World Heritage List
During the Argentine dictatorship (1976-1983), more than 700 clandestine detention and torture centers sprang up, but the Escuela Superior de Mecánica de la Armada (ESMA) remains the most emblematic. During this period, 30,000 people were reported missing, 5,000 of whom were believed to have passed through ESMA. According to “El País America,” the ESMA is today “a symbol of consensus against dictatorship” and while denialist theories, which reject this period of history, are resurfacing, the ESMA was officially listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site on September 19, recognizing that it is “directly and tangibly associated with events of outstanding universal significance.” A UNESCO World Heritage Site, as described by “Britannica,” is a place of “outstanding universal value” and has been bestowed on some of the most beloved historical sites such as the Pyramids of Egypt and the Acropolis.
Science: NASA Spacecraft OSIRIS-REX Brings Back SurpriseThe seven-year mission OSIRIS-REX ended on the morning of September 24. The capsule landed on the Utah Test and Training Range, a close distance from Salt Lake City. OSIRIS-REX, which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resources Identification and Security-Regolith Explorer, was launched in 2016 to gather material from a carbon-rich asteroid named Bennu. The process of building and launching a functional capsule was no easy feat, taking many tries. OSIRIS-REX is now the first American spacecraft to bring back matter from an asteroid. According to “The New York Times,” researchers are eager to study this asteroid material, claiming that this space dirt has the potential to reveal facts about the solar system that have, until present day, been unknown.
Business: Tentative Deal Reached for Hollywood Writers’ Strike
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike on May 2, 2023 over a dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for improvements in salary, as well as protection against the use of artificial intelligence. The strike is on the brink of being the longest strike in the union’s history. September 24 marked the final day of harrowing negotiations, and the day ended with a tentative deal, which includes “protections against the encroachment of artificial intelligence on writers’ work, residual payments for shows on streaming platforms and staffing minimums for writers’ rooms on TV shows,” as reported by “The Guardian.” Studios hope to strike a finalized deal by early October to salvage 2024 films, though it’s unlikely production will resume immediately even after an agreement has been reached.
