- Conservative billionaire Sebastian Piñera won the opening round of Chile’s presidential election to replace current President Michelle Bachelet, who was barred from running for another term. In mid-December Piñera will face off against Socialist Alejandro Guillier, who has the support of Bachelet’s center left coalition. (“Chile Election: Conservative Piñera to Face Socialist Guillier in Run-Off,” BBC News, Nov. 20, 2017; “In Latin America, No More Women Presidents – for Now,” Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 17, 2017)
- In January 1997, Princess Diana walked through an active minefield in war torn Angola to raise awareness about the threat posed by landmines. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the international land mine treaty signed by 163 nations. (“Land-Mine Casualties Show Signs of Global Decline,” Christian Science Monitor, Sept. 27, 2017)
- On the eve of Thanksgiving, Federal Judge Lee Yeakel overruled Texas Senate Bill 8, which prevented doctors from performing certain second trimester abortions such as dilatation and extraction. Judge Yeakel ruled the law placed a burden on women to exercise their reproductive rights, especially since the law required a risky procedure to first stop a fetus’ heart. The ruling was a major victory for abortion rights activists and Planned Parenthood. (“Federal Judge Strikes down Texas Abortion Ban,” CNN, Nov. 24, 2017)
Subscribe to our Weekly Summary
