Here’s what’s happening in the world for the week of Nov. 7th, 2021.
Global News
Explainer on COP26 and why it is important.
World reactions to COP26
Many nations are working with flawed or incomplete data when reporting their progress on fighting climate change, according to the Washington Post.
Americas
Covid-19 deaths have declined for 8 weeks across the Americas.
Brazil, The United States, and Canada are the countries most affected by rising temperatures in the Americas.
The Florida-based GEO Group, which runs for-profit immigration detention centers in the USA, has suspended their Voluntary Work Program after a Washington court found that detainees were owed the minimum wage in Washington State, and the company owed $23 million to detainees in unjust profits and back pay.
Restoring Mexico’s mangroves will combat climate change in Mexico and beyond.
Anti-vaccine disinformation on social media is part of the reason why only 25% of Peru’s indigenous population have been vaccinated, despite over 55% of the country being vaccinated. Other factors are the remoteness of communities and mistrust of the government due to past abuses.
Fast fashion from the rest of the world is responsible for creating a major environmental threat for Chile, a dumping ground for discarded clothing.
American researchers are working on growing coral reefs to fight rising sea levels and environmental threats.
Africa
The Tunisian government has issued an international arrest warrant for Moncef Marzouki, the former president, on charges of undermining the nation’s security. The ex-president is currently in France. Critics claim the current president, Kais Saied, is attempting to discredit rivals and consolidate power.
South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) Party gained less than 50% of the vote, with voter turnout nationally at 47%.
Burundi Human Rights Initiative, an independent organization that monitors human rights abuses in the country, reported a “clear pattern” of human rights abuses such as torture and enforced disappearances. The trend started in Mid-2021, and members of the police and intelligence community have been accused of perpetrating the violence.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is imposing sanctions on Mali after the interim government informed the organization that they would not be holding elections in February.
King Mohamed IV said in a national speech that the Western Sahal’s status is not up for debate, effectively continuing Morocco’s policy stance on the region.
Europe
Russian diplomat found dead outside of the Russian Embassy in Berlin. The cause of death is not known and the body had been sent back to Russia. Some reports claim the diplomat had been an agent of the FSG, but these reports have not been confirmed yet.
Stage is set for the biggest trail against the Mafia in Italian history. Currently, 70 members of the criminal network have been sent to prison and another 355 will face trial.
Protestors outside of a prison in Rustavi, Georgia, are demanding former President Mikheil Saakashvili be transferred to a private clinic. Supporters claim he is weakening due to a hunger strike, but authorities claim he is normal, and even eating.
The Serbian president Milorad Dodik announced he intends to form a Bosnian Serb army. This comes as President Dodik has threatening to withdraw from national institutions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and declare separation for Republika Srpska, which is part of Bosnia Herzegovina based on the Dayton Peace Agreement which ended the conflict of the 1990s.
Environmentalists and conservationists are investigating the use of peat bogs to fight climate change. The peat bogs make up 3% of the Earth’s surface, but soak up 30% of land-based carbon, and could be highly effective at cutting CO2 levels.
Middle East
Iraqis under greater water stress due to climate change, ongoing damming projects in Turkey, and the result of years of conflict with Daesh (ISIS).
The Israeli government is upset over US promise to reopen the US Consulate in Jerusalem, the de facto embassy for Palestinians.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi avoided an assassination attempt by drone. The explosive-laden drone injured six people at his home, but nobody has claimed responsibility yet.
Asia
The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan maintains it’s majority despite losing 15 seats. The party still maintains an absolute majority and control of all parliamentary committees.
A seven-member European Union delegation visited Taiwan.
The UN announces preliminary evidence of crimes against humanity based on over 1.5 million pieces of evidence and 200,000 communications since the military seized power, indicating a pattern of abuses and crimes against civilians in Myanmar.
Tokyo is considering a 300 trillion yen stimulus package to help curb the economic impact of Covid-19. This would require issuing new government debt.
Global Affairs Weekly 