Our Top 5 Stories for the Week of December 6, 2021
It’s been a busy week, from more Omicron variant cases to tornadoes ravaging the US. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top four stories of the week.
Bob Dole Dies
Photo Source: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
On Sunday, December 5, Senator Bob Dole died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 98. Dole was a key politician in the later half of the 20th century, even running for president in 1996. He served as Senator of Kentucky for 27 years. Back in February, Dole announced that he was battling lung cancer. Dole has faced serious health issues since being wounded in World War II.
Source: CNN
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Coronavirus Updates (2)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Florian Schroetter
On Sunday, December 5, police clashed with protesters in Belgium over new Covid restrictions. The new measures include a mask mandate for children over the age of 6 and early closure of kindergarten and primary schools. Video footage shows police using water cannons to quell protesters attempting to kick down barricades.[1] On Monday, December 6, a Norway Christmas party, deemed a “superspreader” event, led to at least 13 people testing positive for the Omicron variant. This is the largest outbreak outside of South Africa, and officials believe there could be up to 60 cases.[2] On Monday, December 6, CNN reported that South Africa is going into overdrive to try to stop the spread of the Omicron variant. Many churches have closed and graduations and celebrations have been canceled. Many schools now have at least one positive case, as well.[3] On Wednesday, December 8, Germany recorded its highest number of Covid daily deaths since February 2019. Nearly 70,000 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours and at least 527 people died during the 24 hour period. The country has recorded over 100,000 deaths since the pandemic began.[4] On Saturday, December 11, tens of thousands of people protested new Covid measures in Austria. Vienna reimposed a lockdown for those who are vaccinated, making it one of the first European countries to do so. Though the lockdown ends for vaccinated tomorrow, it will continue for those who are unvaccinated. While the government is not forcing vaccinations, it is imposing fines up to $4,000 for those who refuse to get the jab. Only about 69% of Austria’s population is vaccinated, making it one of the lowest rates in Europe.[5] On Saturday, December 11, Brazil announced plans to require all visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19. A Supreme Court judge in Brazil passed a law requiring proof of vaccination for foreigners. This ruling goes in direct opposition to President Bolsonaro’s beliefs.[6]
Source: [1]CNN [2]CNN [3]CNN [4]CNN [5]BBC [6]BBC
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More Elections Occur Around the World
Photo Source: Photo/Markus Schreiber
On Monday, December 6, Adama Barrow was declared the presidential election winner in Gambia. President Barrow won re-election by gaining 53% of the vote. Barrow’s rival, Ousainou Darboe and his team have claimed they will not accept the results. This happened last year after Barrow beat out Yahya Jammeh, ending his 22 year rule. Though Jammeh has been exiled, he still remains influential and Barrow’s reelection is a testament to the newfound democracy of the country.[1] On Monday, December 6, Eric Zemmour, a far-right, French presidential candidate was grabbed and attacked at his first campaign rally. As Zemmour walked through the crowd, a man briefly grabbed him by the neck before being stopped by security. Many other violent clashes plagued the event.[2] On Wednesday, December 8, Olaf Scholz was officially sworn in to replace Merkel as Chancellor of Germany. As the leader of the Social Democratic Party, Scholz was the projected winner of the secret Parliament vote. He will end Merkel’s four terms.[3] On Friday, December 10, Nicaragua announced that it is ending relations with Taiwan and embracing Beijing. This new vote is a major win for China.[4]
Source: [1]BBC [2]BBC [3]CNN [4]CNN
Protests and Killings Continue Around the World
Photo Source: AP Photo/Felix Marquez
On Monday, December 6, the US and other allied countries called for the Taliban to stop killing Afghan security forces. The call comes after a report of potential killings and missing persons was released. The US is asking the Taliban to agree to leave former government officials and security forces alone. There have been at least 100 reported cases of disappearances and executions.[1] On Monday, December 6, the former leader of Colombia’s Farc Rebels was ambushed and killed in Venezuela. The Colombian army has not verified the death of Hernán Darío Velásquez, nicknamed El Paisa and has stated it knows nothing of the killing. The investigation is ongoing.[2] On Monday, December 6, ousted Myanmar leader AungSan Suu Kyi was sentenced to 4 years in prison. Suu Kyi faces a total of 11 charges, which once added up, could result in life in prison. The current charge Suu Kyi faced was inciting dissent and breaking Covid restrictions.[3] On Monday, December 6, protests erupted in Pakistan and Sri Lanka after a Sri Lankan man accused of blasphemy was killed in a brutal mob killing in Pakistan. More than 100 people have been arrested so far in relation to the attack. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have had multiple vigils to honor the man brutally killed.[4] On Tuesday, December 7, a police officer in Kenya went on a rampage, killing 6 people before shooting himself. Police believe the incident began with his wife in his home. The incident is still under investigation.[5] On Wednesday, December 8, India’s top military commander, Bipin Rawat was killed, along with his wife and 11 other people, in a helicopter crash. At least one person survived the crash. The Indian Air Force has opened an investigation.[6] On Friday, December 10, at least 55 people were killed and another 100 injured after a truck carrying over 100 migrants crashed in Mexico. Witnesses claim the truck was speeding before it crashed, but an investigation is still ongoing.[7] On Friday, December 10, the Pakistani Taliban declared an end to its ceasefire with Pakistan. The Pakistani Taliban is a separate entity than the Afghan Taliban, but the two sometimes work together.[8]
Source: [1]BBC [2]BBC [3]BBC [4]BBC [5]CNN [6]BBC [7]CNN [8]CNN
Blizzards, Tornadoes, and Flooding Sweep the World
Photo Source: AP Photo/Michael Clubb
On Monday, December 6, the National Weather Service announced that Hawaii could experience catastrophic flooding after the region saw blizzards for a few days prior. About 10 to 15 inches of rainfall is expected. Officials have also closed some highways in anticipation of landslides.[1] On Monday, December 6, workers in Indonesia continued to search through thick layers of rubble after the eruption of Mount Semeru. The death toll rose to at least 15 people, with 27 more marked as missing. More than 1,700 people have been evacuated.[2] On Wednesday, December 8, a swarm of 40 earthquakes, all ranging from 3.5 to 5.8 magnitude, struck Oregon. Most of the earthquakes reported were 200 miles west of the coastal town Newport. Fortunately, none of the quakes have caused damage or triggered a tsunami alert.[3] On Friday, December 11, at least six tornadoes tore through the southern states of the US. At least 84 people are dead due to the tornadoes: 70 in Kentucky, 2 in Arkansas, 4 in Tennessee, 6 in Illinois, and 2 in Missouri. Thousands of buildings have also been damaged, as well as poultry farms.[4] The 6 deaths in Illinois were caused by the collapse of an Amazon warehouse building. Jeff Bezos has announced his support for the affected area.[5]
Source: [1]CNN [2]CNN [3]CNN [4]CNN [5]CNN
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