The absolute dominance that COVID 19 has had over the news over the past months is understandable, if somewhat draining. However, many other otherwise headline-grabbing issues have been relegated into second or third place on our Twitter feeds. Just in case you missed them, here is a brief overview of some of the more important topics - and some more positive stories in case you need reminding that it's not all bad.
Hong Kong and China
Last year protests in Hong Kong kicked off over China's plan to extradite Hong Kong citizens back to the mainland, a move many feared would affect judicial independence and allow China to have greater control over the population in Hong Kong. This would be a violation of the "one country, two systems" policy put in place when the British returned Hong Kong to China in 1997. It allows Hong Kong more autonomy and freedom from some of China's influence. The extradition bill was suspended last September but protests continued - and now a new security law has been passed which allows Beijing far greater power over the Hong Kong judiciary system. Anything considered to be an act of secession, subversion of government control, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces has been criminalised. Beijing law also now takes priority over Hong Kong and is now applicable to non-permanent residents and those who reside outside of Hong Kong.
Upcoming US election
According to recent data the Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden is ahead of Republican Donald Trump in the polls, as the election is still expected to go ahead in November 2020. The coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests have allowed Biden to capitalise on Trump's failures and his 'Buy American' economic plan vows to restore the US jobs market, invest more in American industry and greater spending on developing new technologies, an investment totalling $700bn (£560bn). Kanye West has also announced his presidential bid, after seemingly cutting ties with Trump and planning to run the White House 'like Wakanda'.
Polish election
The upcoming Polish presidential election on 12th July sees incumbent President Andrzej Duda go up against liberal rival Rafal Trzaskowski, currently the Mayor of Warsaw. It will certainly be a polarising battle, as Duda's Law and Justice Party (PiS) have been criticised for their 'anti-gay' agenda. Duda has proclaimed LGBTQIA rights as an 'ideology worse than communism' and has fought against education on gay rights in schools as well as vowing to ban gay couples from adopting. Duda also holds a more anti-EU stance and has been backed by Trump, whereas Trzaskowski has pledged to build bridges with the bloc. Duda had been ahead in the first round of voting, although Trzaskowski has gained points and current polls have said it is too close to call.
*UPDATE* Duda beat Trzaskowski with 51.2% of the votes
Protests in Lebanon
Hyperinflation in Lebanon has led to hundreds taking to the streets in protest as the Lebanese pound dropped dramatically, having lost 70% of its value over recent months. Protests first began in October, yet demonstrators have claimed their demands are still not being met. The government has begun to take measures to boost economic recovery, including injecting more US dollars into the market, but the economy has deteriorated even further due to the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Saad Hariri has already resigned, as his government were accused of failing to tackle problems of unemployent, corruption and poor maintenance of public services - as made clear last year when the country had to ask Cyprus, Jordan and Greece for help fighting wildfires as their own fire service was found to be inadequate. New tax measures on petrol, tobacco and WhatsApp calls were so unpopular they had to be cancelled within hours of being announced, and thousands have since joined the demonstrations. It is estimated that almost a third of the country live below the poverty line, and a quarter of its population are unemployed.
Threats to the arts and music industry
The arts have struggled hugely during the pandemic as venues up and down the country have been forced to close. Galleries, theatres, and other live events contribute vast amounts to our economy and attract tourists all year round, but now 70% of theatres face closure due to no ticket sales and no clear plan on how to get people back in. Social distancing has made it impossible to fill venues and thousands of freelance workers, who make up 50% of the theatre workforce, have been unable to find jobs. Dance ensembles cannot rehearse, production on many TV series has been suspended and any kind of comedy and music performance is simply unthinkable in venues where people are unable to remain 2m apart. Streamed online productions have become more popular for audiences to enjoy safely at home, but no one yet knows when the situation will be able to return to normal.
Yemen
The crisis in Yemen has been rumbling for many years, having been ravaged by a civil war since a failed political transition of power in 2011. It is one of the poorest countries on the Arabian Peninsula and has battled political instability, famine and unemployment even before the COVID 19 outbreak. Thousands of civilians have been killed by air strikes and malnutrition is rife - it is estimated about 80% of the population (24 million people) are in need of humanitarian aid. Coronavirus has placed an even greater strain on a country that was already desperately struggling, with UN forces on the ground in need of further financial support to provide adequate health services to the Yemeni people.
And in case you needed cheering up after all that....
UK reducing coal use and more green policies across the EU
The UK's dependence on coal power was already on the wane before coronavirus struck, as less than five British coal power plants now remain open. During the early days of lockdown Britain went for the longest stretch ever without coal - while a lack of demand during lockdown was a contributing factor, we have become increasingly reliant on solar power and other types of more renewable energy. Across Europe as well there has been a move to push cars out of city centres and encourage more people to cycle, as it is hoped that fewer people commuting on public transport and cleaner air will help in the fight against coronavirus. Measures to make city centres more sustainable are actively being put in place in Milan and Paris, with the potential for many more places to make similar changes.
Same-sex marriage legal in Costa Rica
On 26 May 2020 the first same-sex marriage in Costa Rica took place, as it became the first country in Central America to legalise the ceremony. Alexandra Quiros and Dunia Araya were finally legally able to get married, as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights stated in 2017 that both heterosexual and homosexual couples should be entitled to the same rights and the following year the Costa Rican Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the motion. Despite opposition from some, particularly the losing 2018 presidential election candidate, Costa Rica is paving the way for other Latin American countries to follow. Same-sex marriage is legal in Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Uruguay and some districts in Mexico, but there are still obstacles in countries such as Panama and Guatemala where certain measures have been proposed to keep marriage between a man and a woman.
Beavers and bison return to UK
Earlier this year it was announced that beavers would be re-introduced to the UK for a trial period, 500 years after they were wiped out by hunters. They have been placed in the Eden Valley in Cumbria, although there is potential for some to be re-introduced in other British counties such as Somerset and Yorkshire. It is hoped they will improve water quality and improve nature tourism, as well as helping to prevent floods with their dam building. In Kent there are plans to introduce European bison, another animal which impacts positively on its surrounding environment through maintaining trees and improving biodiversity. This scheme has been run successfully in other European countries, including Romania, Poland and the Netherlands.
FGM illegal in Sudan
Femal genital mutilation, or FGM, has been officially criminialised in Sudan and will now be punishable by three years in prison. It has been a common cultural practice in the country, as around 87% of women between the ages of 14 and 49 are thought to have undergone some form of FGM, and it is also widespread in other African countries and parts of the Middle East. It is believed in some cultures that FGM is necessary for a girl to be considered reputable and a suitable wife, however it can lead to many damaging health conditions - sufferers can experience infections in their uterine and kidney systems, reproductive problems and painful sex. The law was approved on 22nd April 2020, after the former government was overthrown in April 2019, a government which was known for enforcing restrictive laws against women such as preventing them from wearing trousers.
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