7.5 Magnitude Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Strikes Syria, Turkey

According to an article published by Reuters, the death toll has passed 20,000 after an earthquake classified as major in magnitude hit Syria and Turkey Monday. Aid has been slow to reach Syria and Turkey as survivors have been left homeless and without power in the middle of winter. The first U.N. aid convoy reached Northwest Syria Feb. 9. 

Nigerian Presidential Elections Slated for Late February

18 candidates are running for office in Nigeria’s upcoming presidential election Feb. 25, with each candidate representing a different political party. According to Reuters, the top three contenders are All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu, People’s Democratic Party candidate Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party candidate Peter Gregory Obi.

Tel Aviv Protests Enter Fifth Week

According to an article published by Al Jazeera, protesters continue to rally in Tel Aviv against judicial plans brought forward by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plans would limit the Supreme Court’s authority and expand the power of the government to appoint judges. Protesters also expressed concern over proposed policies by Netanyahu’s government to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and institute social reforms affecting LGBTQ+ families.

Biden Gave State of the Union Address on Tuesday

According to an article published by BBC, President Biden’s State of the Union Address this past Tuesday signaled an “America first” attitude toward the upcoming policy year. Biden additionally issued a warning to China against threatening U.S. sovereignty. Biden also discussed U.S. bipartisanship, the economy, gun control, and other domestic policy items on the agenda for the coming year. 

Hong Kong Court Rules Surgery Not Necessary for Gender Change on ID

Transgender individuals in Hong Kong no longer need to undergo full sex reassignment surgery to change the gender marker on their ID. The Final Court of Appeals ruled with the appellants Henry Tse and “Q,” stating in the judgment that the treatment is invasive and not required medically for many transgender individuals.