19 June 2022

Weekly Newsletter

Russia-Ukraine

This week started with an Amnesty International report released on Monday accusing Russia of committing war crimes in Kharkiv, as Ukraine's governor for Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai, said that three civilians were killed in Russian shelling of Lysychansk.This came as Ukrainian officials reported that they discovered seven bodies in a new mass grave in the village of Myrotske, near Bucha, on the regional outskirts of Kyiv.Elsewhere, fighting for control of Severodonetsk continued, with all bridges to the city destroyed by Monday. On Wednesday, Ukrainian soldiers in the Azot plant refused an ultimatum to surrender, and Russia accused Ukraine of blocking civilian evacuation efforts agreed Tuesday.Meanwhile, France, Germany, and Italy visited Kyiv on Thursday to discuss Ukraine's ambitions of joining the EU,and on Friday, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine become a candidate for EU membership.Amid fears of rising prices and global food shortages, US Pres. Biden announced that the US will build temporary silos on Poland's border with Ukraine to facilitate grain exports.Following Boris Johnson's second visit to Ukraine's capital, British Defence officials cautioned that the war is likely testing morale on both sides.UK PM Boris Johnson echoed this message, warning of 'Ukraine Fatigue' and, as a show of support, the British government extended a military training program to Ukraine.

Military

A senior ISIS leader was captured in Syria,North Korea reportedly completed work at its nuclear testing facility,and China vowed to "fight to the end" to prevent Taiwan's independence.

World Politics

The EU signed a gas deal with Israel and Egypt,China reasserted its cooperation with Russia,Kremlin critic Navalny was moved to a maximum-security prison,former McDonald's restaurants in Russia opened with a new name,and Brittney Griners detention in Russia was extended through July 2.In the UK, although an injunction against Britain's plan to send migrants to Rwanda was denied,the first flight to the African country was halted minutes before take-off.Meanwhile, the UK approved the extradition of Julian Assange to the US,and Britain moved forward with changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol.Elsewhere, the UN Human Rights Chief stepped down,former Bolivian President Jeanine ez was sentenced over an alleged coup,the results of the first round of French parliamentary elections indicated that Macron's majority is at risk,Indonesia's trade minister was sacked,India faced protests over a new military recruitment policy,and nearly 400 people were sanctioned over anti-government protests in Cuba.In other news, Syria halted flights after an Israel missile attack,and three Palestinians were killed during an Israeli raid.Meanwhile, Denmark and Canada resolved their dispute over an Arctic island.

US Politics

The Jan. 6 Committee held its second and third hearings, focused on Trump's claims of election fraud and the alleged pressure campaign against former VP Mike Pence, respectively,and on Wednesday, the committee released footage of a Capitol tour the day before the riots.Meanwhile, Biden signed an executive order on LGBTQ+ rights,the White House confirmed Biden's Saudi Arabia trip,and DC dedicated a portion of a street in front of the Saudi embassy to Jamal Khashoggi.

Crime & Justice

SCOTUS ruled that the Double Jeopardy Clause doesn't apply to federal and tribal courts,a New York court rejected an effort to free an elephant from the Bronx Zoo,and a suspect in the Buffalo shooting was charged with domestic terrorism.Meanwhile, border agents who were wrongly accused of whipping migrants will face disciplinary action,a man was indicted on the attempted assassination of a Supreme Court judge,Michael Avenatti offered to plead guilty to stealing millions from clients,and 31 members of a far-right group were arrested at an Idaho pride event.In other news, an Israeli probe found police misconduct at Abu Akleh's funeral, though recommended against punishment,two suspects admitted to killing a journalist & indigenous expert in Brazil,and 79 people were reportedly killed in the latest Burkina Faso Jihadist attack.

Civil liberties & Legislation

A judge in Texas temporarily halted investigations into families of trans youth,McConnell voiced his support for the recent bipartisan gun legislation,and Hollywood pledged to control onscreen gun violence.Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to provide extra security for SCOTUS Justicesas protestors blocked intersections near the Supreme Court building.In other news, Ryanair dropped its controversial Afrikaans test.

Money & Economy

The Bank of England raised interest rates for the fifth time,the US Fed increased benchmark interest rates by 0.75%,after which US mortgage rates hit their highest one-week jump in 35 years,and Biden urged oil companies to increase supply.Meanwhile, US stocks sunk into a bear market amidst a crypto crash,and crypto exchange Coinbase laid off 18% of its workforce.

Health

Beijing conducted testing and lockdowns after a "ferocious" COVID outbreak,the FDA approved COVID vaccines for young kids,while Florida Gov. DeSantis confirmed that the state will not order the doses for children.In other news, Abbott shut down its Michigan baby formula plant again,and abortions in the US rose for the first time in 30 years.

Weather & Environment

Officials warned that flooding in Yellowstone may permanently alter the park's landscape,and a rigorous environmental review found SpaceX's Texas launch site to have "no significant impact" on the environment.

Sports

The US Tennis Association announced that the US Open will allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete,and the defensive coordinator for the NFL's Washington Commanders was fined $100K for calling Jan. 6 a 'dust-up'.

Big Tech

A Google engineer was suspended after claiming the company's AI chatbot is "sentient,"Musk met with Twitter employees,US regulators cited Tesla's autopilot in hundreds of crashes,Google settled a gender discrimination lawsuit for $118M,and Microsoft pledged to respect video game company ABK's unionization efforts..