Our Top Stories for the Week of July 25, 2022
It’s been a busy week, from political strain to natural disasters. 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.
Around The United States
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Joe Biden’s Covid Status Has Improved: On Friday, July 22, a senior White House physician reported that President Joe Biden is responding well to treatment. Biden is taking Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, to lessen his disease’s severity. Despite his condition, the administration has projected the appearance of a president on the job. Biden’s main symptoms were a runny nose, fatigue, and cough. At the same time, his pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate were all normal.[1]
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Two Fatalities In Los Angeles Shooting: On Sunday, July 24, gunshots erupted at an unofficial car exhibition in the Los Angeles neighborhood of San Pedro. The cops gave no information on the shooting. Officer Luis Garcia stated that they were able to rule out an active shooter situation rapidly. According to a fire department spokesman, seven people were carried to the hospital by paramedics, and two of them, a male and a female, died.[2]
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The United States To Boost Chip Manufacturing: On Wednesday, July 27, the long-awaited bill to subsidize the domestic semiconductor industry became law. They seek to assist enterprises in competing with China while also addressing a recurring deficit that has hampered the production of electrical components. If it passes as expected, President Joe Biden plans to sign it into law next week. Over the next five years, the plan would also authorize more than $170 billion in funding for scientific research in the United States.[3]
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United States Economy Shrinks Again: On Thursday, July 28, experts warned of recession as the US economy shrank for the second consecutive quarter. As part of the economic contraction, the US stock market has declined since the beginning of the year, and firms have declared intentions to reduce hiring. On the other hand, the federal government has refused to accept the recession, claiming that data from the labor market, consumer spending, and investment show that the economy is expanding.[4]
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Immigrants Continue To Arrive In Buses To Washington DC: On Thursday, July 28, Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington, asked the National Guard to assist in the processing of unauthorized immigrants seeking asylum in the United States. Undocumented immigrants have been pouring into DC in droves in recent months, as the border states of Texas and Arizona have experienced an increase in asylum applications. In her letter to the President, Mayor Bowser stated that “the rate of arrivals has reached a tipping point, and the issue may soon intensify.”[5]
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The US House Votes On Assault Riffle Ban Again: On Saturday, July 30, the US House of Representatives voted 217-213 along party lines to ban assault-style rifles used in mass killings. Republicans argue that Democrats have targeted the Second Amendment, which guarantees Americans the right to keep and bear guns. However, Democratic lawmakers have emphasized that assault guns are far too accessible to teenagers prompting mass shootings[6]
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NBA Legend Dies At 88: On Saturday, July 31, Bill Russell, a former Boston Celtics great and the NBA’s first black coach, died on Sunday at 88. According to a tweet on his Twitter account, Bill Russell died peacefully with his wife Jeannine by his side. He was a five-time MVP who was also outspoken about racial issues. During Russell’s 13-year tenure with the Celtics, from 1956 through 1969, the team won the NBA championship 11 times.[7]
Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] Reuters [3] Reuters [4] BBC [5] BBC [6] Reuters [7] Reuters
UK Politics
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EU Launch Legal Cases Against The UK: On Friday, July 22, the EU started four legal cases against the UK after MPs endorsed post-Brexit Northern Ireland policies. The House of Commons passed the Northern Ireland protocol bill 267-195. Fall brings Lords. The EU court can penalize the UK millions of euros, and its ruling could lead to Brexit-related punishments. The EU is pursuing legal action because the ongoing passage of the Northern Ireland protocol bill through the UK parliament “runs directly against” finding shared solutions to problems.[1]
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UK Presenter Slumps On TV During Political Debate: On Tuesday, July 26, the second television discussion between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak was called off because the host, Kate McCann, fainted. As the audience complained about not receiving adequate help from health care, the two candidates battled about NHS funding and tax savings. The station later stated that McMann, its political editor, “fainted on air tonight and, while she is well, the medical advice was that we not continue with the debate.”[2]
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Risk Of Wildfires Growing In The UK: On Wednesday, July 27, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) reported an incidence of 500 wildfires so far in 2022, up from 237 in 2021. Experts feel that to prepare the country for wildfires, every firefighter should receive wildfire training. To protect people’s and property’s safety, the NFCC chief has emphasized prioritizing resources, focusing on the growing threat, raising awareness, developing specific instructions, examining response protocols, and implementing more training.[3]
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London High Court Delivers Ruling Over Venezuelan Gold: On Friday, July 29, the High Court in London ruled in favor of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido over Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a struggle over who owns their country’s gold reserves in England. The conflict began in 2019 when Guaido, the then-president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, swore himself in as the country’s temporary leader. The decision was predicated on accepting Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president.[4]
Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] The Guardian [3] BBC [4] CNN
Ukraine Updates
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US Delegation Visits Kyiv With Glad Tidings: On Saturday, July 23, the Ukrainian president met with a top US congressional delegation in Kyiv. The team, led by Adam Smith, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, was tasked with securing continuing support for the war against Russia. Before the visit, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Washington announced that four additional high mobility artillery rocket systems would be sent to Ukraine.[1]
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Ukraine Cautious Of Russian Attack As It Restarts Grain Export: On Monday, July 25, following the Moscow-Kyiv agreement, which would help bring down soaring global food prices by restoring Ukrainian grain shipments to pre-war levels of 5 million tonnes per month, the Ukrainian government has moved forward with efforts to restart grain exports from its Black Sea ports Zelenskiy, however, issued a clear warning that the Russian missile that struck Odesa could disrupt delivery because the opponent could not be trusted to allow easy trade.[2]
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Ukrainian War Prisoners Killed In Blast: On Friday, July 29, Russia’s defense ministry reported that the Ukrainian shelling of a separatist prison in Donetsk killed 40 Ukrainian war prisoners while Ukraine’s military refuted the claim and said Russia attacked the prison. Ukraine’s General Staff says Russia wants to cover ‘torture and shootings on its orders. The Russian military alleges that US-made Himars artillery was utilized.[3]
Sources: [1] Reuters [2] Reuters [3] BBC
Other International Incidents
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China Launches Second Space Module: On Sunday, July 24, the Chinese State Broadcaster, CCTV televised The launch of the second of three modules for China’s permanent space station. The laboratory module Wentian (“Quest for the Heavens”) was launched on the back of China’s most powerful rocket, the Long March 5B. The Tianhe module, the primary living quarters, was launched in April 2021, kicking off the space station’s construction. The laboratory module was carried into orbit by China’s most powerful rocket.[1]
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Protesters Attack UN Peacekeepers: On Monday, July 25, protesters attacked the United Nations peacekeeping force’s warehouse in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, demanding that the mission departs for failing to protect the populace. The rally was organized by a group of President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party’s youth wing. The Congolese government, on the other hand, is keeping a tight eye on the situation. “We are outraged and surprised by this,” stated a spokesperson.[2]
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Second Death Attributed To Monkey-Pox In Spain: On Saturday, July 30, Spain reported its second monkeypox-related death, the disease’s second mortality in Europe during the current outbreak. According to the Spanish Ministry of Health, 4,298 cases are throughout the country, with 120 hospitalized. According to local media, citing the regional health service, the first death from encephalitis happened in the northeastern Valencia region.[3]
Sources: [1] Reuters [2] Reuters [3] The Guardian
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