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  • Advisory is closed for the final three weeks of school
  • Graduation is Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. at the Ford Center
  • Senior Syndi Wilkins and junior Sofia Golladay take 1st and 2nd at Area Championship in the 3200 meter run
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WINGSPAN

The student news site of Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas

WINGSPAN

The student news site of Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas

WINGSPAN

Wingspan’s featured athlete for 5/2 is varsity baseball player, sophomore Nathan Wixon.
Featured Athlete: Nathan Wixon
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Wingspan’s Featured Athlete for 4/18 is tennis player, sophomore Anya Krishna (second from the left).
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Wingspan’s featured athlete for 4/4 is varsity track and field athlete, sophomore Cecelia Rowe.
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May 2 Daily Update
May 2 Daily Update
Joaquin Perez, WTV Producer • May 2, 2024

WTV's Sadie Johnson brings you today's news and announcements, including NHS voting, UIL academics, and this week's edition of My Life As.

International Insight: The investigation into Havana Syndrome

From+Europe+to+Asia%2C+South+America+to+Africa%2C+and+all+the+way+to+Australia%2C+Wingspan+staff+reporter+Sindhuja+Pannuri+provides+her+insight+on+international+events+in+this+weekly+blog.+
Sindhuja Pannuri
From Europe to Asia, South America to Africa, and all the way to Australia, Wingspan staff reporter Sindhuja Pannuri provides her insight on international events in this weekly blog.

In recent years, an unsettling phenomenon known as Havana Syndrome has captured global attention. Named after a series of unexplained health incidents reported by U.S. and Canadian diplomats in Cuba’s capital in 2016, this mysterious ailment has since afflicted individuals in various parts of the world, raising concerns and prompting extensive investigations. 

Havana Syndrome is characterized by a range of symptoms including vertigo, headaches, cognitive difficulties, and hearing loss, often following exposure to certain locations or stimuli. Despite intensive research efforts, pinpointing the precise cause has proven challenging.

Studies show that individuals experiencing Havana Syndrome display severe symptoms, yet traditional MRI scans fail to detect any detectable brain injury or biological abnormalities, complicating diagnosis and treatment. This underscores the enigmatic nature of the condition and the urgent need for further investigation into its underlying mechanisms.

In parallel with scientific inquiry, intelligence agencies have played a pivotal role in gathering information and analyzing patterns of behavior suggestive of state-sponsored attacks. Reports from investigative media outlets and leaked intelligence assessments have provided tantalizing clues pointing to the involvement of Russian operatives in targeting foreign diplomats and intelligence personnel.

The investigation sheds light on Unit 29155, a notorious arm of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service, suspected of carrying out a range of covert operations, including assassinations and acts of sabotage. The investigation reveals ties between members of Unit 29155 and reported incidents of Havana Syndrome, raising troubling questions about the extent of Russian involvement in the illness.

The alleged use of energy-directed weapons, reminiscent of Cold War-era tactics, has raised alarms within diplomatic circles and heightened concerns about the escalation of covert hostilities. Current theories suggest that energy weapons have been used by Russian intelligence to sicken American citizens on foreign land from afar, with little chance of detection. As current medical technology has not been able to offer explanations for the symptoms that American diplomats face, the lack of physical evidence makes it hard to condemn Russia as the confirmed perpetrator of these attacks.

The potential connection between Havana Syndrome and Russia has far-reaching implications for global security and diplomacy. Accusations of state-sponsored attacks on foreign soil challenge established norms of conduct and undermine trust between nations. The emergence of Havana Syndrome as a tool of geopolitical intrigue underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare, where non-traditional threats intersect with traditional security paradigms.

In response to these allegations, affected nations have intensified diplomatic efforts to address the issue through formal channels and international forums. Calls for accountability and transparency have reverberated across capitals, as governments seek to safeguard their personnel and deter future acts of aggression.

If Havana Syndrome is truly being orchestrated by Russia, such a sustained, decades-long operation would be Putin’s biggest strategic victories over the United States. It calls into question how much we really know of Russia and its operations. As more information comes to light, it is imperative that the U.S. makes Havana Syndrome a priority.

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About the Contributor
Sindhuja Pannuri
Sindhuja Pannuri, Staff Reporter
Sindhuja (Sindhu) Pannuri is a senior entering her second year of Wingspan staff. At school, she is captain of the varsity debate team and President of Youth and Government. In her free time, she reads books to escape reality and enjoys boxing in the ring. She’s so excited for what this year will hold!

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