Every week, GPII Interns and Fellows scour the global news to write about what is happening in a specific issue area or region. Each post includes multiple sources and gives a brief recount of a timely event. Check back regularly to see what GPII Interns and Fellows have written.
An estimated 5.4 million Americans lost their health insurance within the first few months of 2020 amid mass layoffs during the coronavirus pandemic (The Independent). According to a study by Families USA, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis have caused the greatest health insurance losses in American history (The Hill). The estimated increase […]
Posted July 17, 2020
On Tuesday, July 14th, hundreds took to the streets of Belarus to protest the Central Electoral Commission’s decision to exclude two presidential candidates from the ballot, Viktor Babariko and Valery Tsepkalo (Reuters). The two candidates were hoping to challenge President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years (Reuters). Babariko was rejected from […]
Posted July 17, 2020
On July 9th, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the nation would immediately suspend their extradition agreement with Hong Kong (Reuters). This decision came as a direct response to the passing of China’s controversial national security law in Hong Kong (CNN). Opponents of the security law stated that it would drastically reduce many democratic […]
Posted July 15, 2020
During a visit to French Guiana over the weekend, new French Prime Minister Jean Castex vowed to aid the territory in its coronavirus response (AP). French Guiana accounts for roughly 25% of France’s total number of coronavirus cases, despite containing 0.5% of the French population (AP). Lockdowns were recently reimposed in French Guiana, despite the […]
Posted July 15, 2020
According to a study and initiative by Stanford Earth and Stanford University scientist Rob Jackson, global methane emissions have reached the highest level ever recorded (Earth). The research shows that human activities, such as coal mining, oil and natural gas production, and cattle ranching, are the primary causes (NBC). Africa and the Middle East; China; […]
Posted July 15, 2020
PM Boris Johnson extended an offer of citizenship to up to 3 million Hongkongers in the wake of new security measures introduced by Hong Kong’s Chinese-led government. The measures punish crimes of secession and subversion, with police arresting at least 10 under the law last week (NBC). Under the plan, overseas nationals will have the […]
Posted July 13, 2020
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (Guardian). Bolsonaro, who had been experiencing flu-like symptoms, was tested for the virus and underwent a lung x-ray on Monday afternoon (Rio Times). Bolsonaro assured supporters in Brasilia Monday night that all was well, and that his lung scan came […]
Posted July 13, 2020
On Friday, July 3rd, a Turkish court convicted four human rights activists on terrorism-related charges (NYT). Taner Kilic, former chairman of Amnesty International Turkey, was sentenced to over six years in prison for charges of being a member of a terrorist organization (NYT). Three other human rights activists were convicted of assisting a terrorist organization, […]
Posted July 13, 2020
On Wednesday 1 July, posts started appearing on social media accusing an Egyptian man in his twenties of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment (Egyptian Streets). Within days, an Instagram page set up to expose him identified 93 credible accusers, some as young as 13, the campaign organizers said (NY Times). Lawyer Tarek Elawady said […]
Posted July 13, 2020
Russian and Chinese officials cast vetoes to block the UN Security Council from extending approval of aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey for a year (Reuters). Officials of the UN said this resolution is essential to save millions of lives in Syria (Al Jazeera). The UN approval of aid deliveries is authorized until Friday (Al […]
Posted July 12, 2020
