Global news is a vital part of news today and can directly affect MHS students. In order to inform our readers, The Mentor has compiled small summaries describing some of the largest happenings in the world today. We encourage the reader to read about these topics, as well as others, in greater depth.

Scotland Vote for Independence

A recent poll has shown an unexpectedly large amount of support in Scotland for Scottish Independence from the United Kingdom. The poll, administered by polling company Survation, has shown that 47.6 percent of voters are against Scottish Independence while 42.4 percent are for it. Those numbers do not account for the 10 percent who are undecided on the issue. However, various other polls show slightly different results but with one similarity — it’s going to be a close call. The vote will take place on Thursday. If the “yes” vote for independence wins, it will take several months for Scotland to become an independent nation.

IS Beheads British Hostage

The jihadist Islamic State group has released a video of another beheading — this time of United Kingdom national David Haines. Haines was kidnapped last year by IS after going to Syria on an aid mission. Haines was beheaded similarly to the two American journalists who were previously executed by IS. This action has outraged the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, who said that “they [IS] are not Muslims, they are monsters.” In his press release, Cameron stated his further anger by the fact that the executor in all three of the videos is possibly a British citizen. This is because in the first video depicting the beheading of American journalist James Foley the executor spoke with a British accent. In following videos, the executor’s voice was altered. The purpose of the video is to warn the UK government against further action in the Middle East against ISIS. Cameron, however, does not seem to be fazed by the threat. Cameron stated several ways in which the UK will work with others to “extinguish this terrorist threat.”

Pistorius found guilty

South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of homicide on Sept. 12 after he killed his girlfriend in February of this year. He shot her in the middle of the night after he mistook her for an intruder. The prosecution charged Pistorius with murder but he was found not guilty of murder. His sentencing for manslaughter will be next month.

Fresh Sanctions Against Russia Made

Fighting continues in the Ukraine between pro-Russian separatist rebels and the Ukrainian government. The Russian government has been accused of aiding the rebels with money, supplies and manpower. The United States and the European Union have imposed new sanctions on Friday against Russia for their involvement in Ukraine. These sanctions greatly hurt Russia’s future plans for gaining new oil sources in the Arctic. These sanctions include prohibiting Western companies from providing goods and services to Russia for exploration for oil. The U.S. and E.U. have also put sanctions against Russian individuals and companies.

Chikungunya arrives in Central, South America

While people in the United States are worrying about EV-68, another virus has been spreading in Central and South America. According to the BBC, Colombia has received its first case of locally-transmitted Chikungunya (CHIKV). CHIKV is a virus that is spread by mosquitoes and causes fever and severe joint pain. It arrived earlier this year to the Americas in the Caribbean. The virus has also been found in the United States, particularly Florida, yet safety precautions have helped prevent its rapid spread in the states.