Our Top Stories for the Week of August 15, 2022
It’s been a busy week, from Coronavirus updates to environmental concerns. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top stories of the week.
Worldwide Coronavirus Updates
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North Korea Declares Covid Victory: On Friday, August 12, the face mask mandate and other social distancing measures in North Korea have dropped three months after the first acknowledged COVID-19 viral outbreak, as the leader, Kim Jong Un, declared triumph over COVID-19 this week. North Korea blamed "foreign objects" along its border with the South for the COVID epidemic, with Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, promising to punish for triggering the outbreak.[1]
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Accelerated Emigration Ongoing In Hong Kong: On Friday, August 12, Hong Kong reports that it is facing its greatest annual population decline, which experts blame on strong COVID control procedures as well as a political crackdown. This is the steepest drop since the government began keeping records in 1961. Authorities, on the other hand, blamed part of the decline on a natural drop, with more deaths than births.[2]
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The UK Approves Moderna Modification Shot: On Monday, August 15, the UK approved a variant-adapted coronavirus vaccination that targets both the original and Omicron variants of the virus, making it the first country to do so in late 2020. According to the results, the booster elicited "a string immunological response" against Omicron and the original virus, and the amount of virus-neutralizing antibodies is 1.69 times higher than in individuals who received the original booster.[3]
Sources: [1] Reuters [2] CNN [3] Reuters
Environmental & Climate Concerns
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Germany And Poland Search For Cause Of Fish Death: On Friday, August 12, 2022, authorities in Germany and Poland are attempting to determine the origin of the massive fish death in the Oder River, which has been ongoing since late July. Steffi Lemke, Germany's Environment Minister, has warned of an environmental disaster. Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland's Prime Minister, stated that the pollution is so severe that it will take several years for the canal to restore to normal.[1]
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Electric Fire Kills 41 People In Egypt: On Monday, August 15, 2022, an electric fire broke out, sparking panic and killing at least 41 people during a Mass in an Egyptian Coptic Christian church. Many of those killed were children, and many more were victims of smoke inhalation. According to the Ministry of Interior, a forensic assessment revealed that the fire started in the second-floor air conditioning due to an electrical problem.[2]
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Heatwave Forces Chinese Factories To Lockdown: On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, all companies in China's Sichuan province were compelled to close for six days to alleviate a power shortfall caused by a searing heat wave that swept throughout the country. The current scenario in China would have an impact on some of the world's largest electronic companies, including Apple suppliers Foxconn and Intel. With temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, China appeared to be experiencing its worst heat wave in 60 years.[3]
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Biden Signs Climate Bill Into Law: On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the health care, climate change, and tax bills, completing a historic bill that democratic party officials think would strengthen their prospects in the November elections. He said the bill demonstrated that "America's soul is vibrant, America's future is bright, and America's promise is genuine and just beginning." The House passed it on a party-line vote of 220 to 207.[4]
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Fatalities Rise With Raging Fire In Algeria: On Thursday, August 18, 2022, Algerian firemen continue to combat a catastrophic fire outbreak that killed more than 38 people and injured many more. More than 200 people have been burned by the fire or have respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke and soot. The Prime Minister of the country will pay his respects in the afflicted region.[5]
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Scientists Increase Efficiency Of Photosynthesis By 20%: On Thursday, August 18, 2022, Scientists made significant progress in enhancing photosynthesis, the natural mechanism by which plants convert light energy into food. The landmark breakthrough occurs as individuals work to discover solutions to counteract the United Nations' forecast that 660 million people will face food scarcity by 2030. It also coincides with the House of Commons relaxing limits on the production of gene-edited crops.[6]
Sources: [1] Reuters [2] Reuters [3] CNN [4] The Guardian [5] The Guardian [6] BBC
Violence & Justice
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Fatal Car Crash In Pennsylvania With 17 People Injured: On Sunday, August 14, 2022, A car crash into a Pennsylvania tavern killed one person and injured 17 others in a fundraiser gathering for families affected by a house fire that killed ten people earlier this month. The crash happened late at night outside Berwick's. Adrian Oswaldo Sura Reyes, 24, of Nescopeck, Pennsylvania, was identified as the driver by state police.[1]
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Arizona Police Face-Off With Parents During School Lockdown: On Sunday, August 14, 2022, police officers used a stun gun on two parents who tried to force their way into a school that had been locked down after an armed man attempted to enter. Authorities claimed the parents and one other person were arrested when they attempted to reach their children to protect them. Authorities confirmed that no shots were fired at Thompson Ranch Elementary School and that the school was not broken into.[2]
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Mike Pence Condemns Attack On FBI Actions: On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, the former Vice President of the United State, Mike Pence was critical of Republican assaults on the FBI after federal agents raided former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. According to the former Vice President, "we can hold the attorney general accountable for the judgment that he took without assaulting the rank-and-file law enforcement people at the FBI."[3]
Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] The Guardian [3] The Guardian
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