Our Top Stories for the Week of June 13, 2022
Updated June 17, 2022 |
Infoplease Staff
It’s been a busy week, from tensions between China and the United States to continued conflict between Ukraine and Russia. 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.
China-US Tensions
Photo Source: AP Images/Liu Zheng
- China Says The US Has To Improve Bilateral Relationship: On Sunday, June 12, 2022, the Chinese Defence Chief Wei Fenghe said that ties with the United States were critical and that improving the bilateral relationship was up to the US. United State Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that the number of unsafe and unprofessional encounters between Chinese planes and vessels with those of other countries is alarming. He added that the United States would stand by its allies, including Taiwan. [1]
- China’s Actions Increases Tension In Taiwan Strait: On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, President Xi signed legal action to begin military Activities in the Taiwan Strait, the body of water that separates China from Taiwan’s main island. According to a Chinese spokesperson, those who call the Taiwan Strait International waters defy China’s sovereignty. A spokesperson for the US State Department said the Strait is an international waterway with high seas freedoms guaranteed by international law. He assured that the US would continue to sail freely in areas where international law permits.[2]
Source: [1] Reuters [2] The Guardian
Disasters Rampage In The US
Photo Source: AP Images/Chief Craig VanderZwaag
- Arizona Fire Claims 20,000 Acres: On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, the Coconino National Forest officials reported that the Pipeline Fire in Arizona had burned more than 20,000 acres. According to the National Interagency Fire Centre, 40 active, significant wildfires have burned about 1.2 million acres across six states in the United States. Authorities evacuated hundreds of homes due to the Pipeline Fire, and thousands more were warned to prepare to evacuate.[1]
- Yellowstone Park To Be Closed Because Of Flood: On Monday, June 13, 2022, Yellowstone park closed all five of its gates in Montana and Wyoming to inbound traffic, ostensibly to keep tourists from getting stranded as conditions worsened from the flood. Although all Yellowstone National Park gates are temporarily closed, the park’s northern sector may be locked for much longer. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte declared a state-wide disaster on Tuesday and stated that he would seek an accelerated presidential disaster declaration to help with recovery costs.[2]
- New Mexico’s Wildfire: On Saturday, June 11, 2022, the president of the United States, Joe Biden, arrived in New Mexico amid anger and frustration from wildfire survivors. His visit to the state reviewed efforts to fight the biggest blaze in the state’s record. Federal Emergency Management Agency has given more than $3m to more than 900 households. The maximum FEMA pay-outs of around $40,000 for destroyed houses are not enough to cover damages.[3]
Sources: [1] CNN [2] CNN [3] The Guardian
War, Tensions, and Sanctions Continue in Eastern Europe and Asia
Photo Source: iStock
- UK Defence Minister Visits Ukraine: On Friday, June 10, 2022, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, during talks with British Defence secretary Ben Wallace in the Ukrainian capital on Friday, commends the leadership of the British government and its assistance for Kyiv against Russia’s invasion. Wallace’s visitation comes a day after a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic sentenced two Britons and a Moroccan to death. Moscow backs the separatist leader of the latter after being captured while fighting Ukraine.[1]
- South Korea To Boost Defence Capacity Against North Korea: On Sunday, June 12, 2022, the South Korean Defence Minister, Lee Jong-sup, said that his country would work closely with the United States and Japan to boost its defence capabilities to counter North Korean’s nuclear and missile threat. In his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Lee said, “The South Korean government will strengthen capabilities to implement the United States extended deterrence better. It will also strengthen the response capabilities of South Korea to deter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.”[2]
- Russian Economy In The Face Of Sanctions: As of Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Russia is the most sanctioned country in the world, with over 10,500 restrictions imposed on Russian individuals and businesses, many of which were in the last four months. Sanctions are not new in Russia, and their revenue from Oil is proving sufficient. China, Russia’s most important ally in the previous four months, has stated that it will not supply Sanctioned technology to Russia for fear of secondary sanctions.[3]
Source:[1] Reuters [2] Reuters [3] BBC
US Politics And Economy Ahead Of The Midterms
Photo Source: iStock
- Gasoline Sells For $5 The US: On Saturday, June 11, 2022, recently published data showed that gasoline prices in the US averaged more than $5 a gallon for the first time ever on Saturday. This extends a surge in fuel costs that is driving inflation. The president of the United States, Joe Biden, has made various moves to lower prices. This includes a record release of barrels from the US strategic reserves, waivers on rules for producing summer gasoline, and leaning on major OPEC countries to boost output.[1]
- Congressman Who Voted Against Trump Loses Re-election Bid: On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Tom Rice, a five-term incumbent in South Carolina, was defeated in a primary election by Russell Fry, a Trump-backed challenger. Mr Rice had been a staunch Trump supporter until January 6, 2021, riot in the US Capitol. In the Senate, former President Trump was acquitted of the political charge. In contrast, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who did not receive Trump’s endorsement, was re-elected.[2]
- Protection Extended For Supreme Court Justices: On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, the United States House of Representatives has given final congressional approval to a bill to strengthen Supreme Court security in the wake of an expected ruling restricting abortion rights and the arrest of a man charged with attempting to murder Brett Kavanaugh. The bill, which increases police protection for the families of justices and senior court officials, passed the Senate and was approved by the House by a vote of 396-27.[3]
Source: [1] Reuters [2] BBC [3] The Guardian
Other Happenings
Photo Source: iStock
- Rwanda Asylum Plan On Hold: On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, the Rwanda Asylum plan was halted. The Asylum plan was announced in April with arrangements to send some asylum seekers who cross the Channel to the UK on a one-way ticket back to Rwanda. A late challenge from the European Court of Human Rights prevented the deportation flight from taking off. The Home Secretary has defended the policy while addressing MPs. She emphasized that her government is resolved to accomplish the plan.[1]
- Internet Explorer Will Shut Down: On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Microsoft announced its decision to close down Internet Explorer. The plan has been in motion since last year, with Internet Explorer 11 as the final version. Internet Explorer first appeared on Windows desktop PCs in 1995; by 2004, it had captured 95% of the market. The creation of smartphones undoubtedly provided the final blow as Apple’s pre-installed Safari browser, and Google Chrome on Android phones made it difficult for Internet Explorer to proliferate in the emerging world.[2]
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