News from Italy
The News: Short weekly world tour
Vita gazette – From the USA to NATO and the EU, from Russia to China and the Pacific… From energy to arms and hunger… From culture to history and art… From natural disasters to new discoveries and technology… Important history recorded notes… (September 12-19, 2022)
Human and animal rights
Somalia: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Spokesperson James Elder pointed out that the food crisis in Somalia puts 500,000 children at risk of death. (14 September)
USA: John Basco, who sued the guards for being tortured by repeatedly playing the children’s song Baby Shark, was found dead in his cell on Sunday.Basco became the 14th detainee to die this year at the Oklahoma County Detention Center. (14 September)
Iran: 22-year-old Mahsa Emini, who was taken to the hospital after getting ill after being detained by the police in the capital Tehran for not obeying the “dress rules”, died 3 days later. (16 September)
Netherlands: In the city of Rhoon, a 42-year-old person, who was bitten by a police dog and used a stun gun while trying to detain him, died in the hospital he was taken to. In a statement made by the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office on Twitter, it was stated that the relevant units started an investigation into the suspect’s cause of death and detention conditions. (September 17)
England: Detention of anti-monarchists following the death of Queen Elizabeth II sparked controversy over freedom of expression. (September 19)
Global warming – Climate change – Natural disasters
Italy: Heavy rains in the Marche region caused flooding. 10 people died. (16 September)
Pakistan: The number of people who lost their lives in the disasters caused by the monsoon rains that have been effective in the country since 14 June has reached 1545. (September 17)
Japan: More than 8 million people were warned to evacuate in Japan, which was affected by the Nanmadol typhoon that emerged in East Asia. (September 18)
Niger: 159 people lost their lives in the floods caused by the ongoing rains since July. (September 19)
Mexico: A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the state of Michoacan. Due to the earthquake, a tsunami alert was issued in the country. Some buildings were damaged in the earthquake, in which one person lost his life. (September 19) On the other hand, after the heavy rains, the overflowing river in the town of Sayuleta dragged 12 vehicles into the sea. Except for the driver of one vehicle, the others were rescued. (19 September)
Puerto Rico: Hurricane Fiona hit the southwestern coast of the country. While there were landslides due to the hurricane, electricity was cut off throughout the island. On the island, where more than 3 million people were left without electricity, the hurricane dragged everyone in front of it. (19 September)
Health
Japan: In the city of Nara, Mikizo Ueda, the oldest living male, died at the age of 112. (9 September) And the number of people aged 100 and over living in Japan has increased for 52 consecutive years, reaching 90,526.
Belgium: The results of the World Health Organization (WHO) research are being implemented with the pilot project started in the capital city of Brussels. In WHO’s research, it was concluded that visiting the museum “reduces people’s stress and makes life more meaningful”. According to this application, psychiatrists will be able to write “free museum visits” on their patients’ mental health prescriptions. The pilot project will continue for 6 months. Each patient will be able to visit the museum 5 times during this period. (September 13)
Cholera – Syria: Eight people died in the country in the last week. 900 people suspected of having cholera were identified. The United Nations announced that there was a cholera epidemic in Syria for the first time in more than 10 years and that this disease seriously threatened the region. (September 14)
Monkey pox: USA – For the first time in the state of California, it was announced that a patient died from monkey pox. (September 13) China – First case of monkeypox detected.(September 16)
Polio – Pakistan: The number of cases in the country rose to 19 this year after a baby was diagnosed with polio in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. (September 17)
Dengue Fever – Pakistan: Dengue cases continue to increase in the country. A total of 350 new cases of dengue have been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The total number of patients reached 4,538. (September 18)
Covid – 19: World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge said that if a new variant of Covid-19 does not appear, the epidemic may end soon. (September 19)
Science – Technology
USA – NASA announced that in its 20-year research, stem cell DNA has changed in all 14 different blood samples taken from astronauts. Thus, mutation was added to the muscle degeneration effects of space travel. However, this situation was described as an acceptable level. (September 13)
Twitter: Majority of shareholders voted to accept Elon Musk’s $44 billion offer to buy the company. (September 13)
EU: The EU Commission has announced its proposal called the “Cyber Resilience Act” to make internet-connected devices and software more secure for consumers. Accordingly, manufacturers will have to fix security vulnerabilities, provide security support and software updates for devices. When manufacturers detect a security vulnerability in a product, they will take immediate action and notify the EU cybersecurity unit within 24 hours. Consumers will be provided with sufficient information on the cyber security of the products they buy and use. Authorized institutions will be able to decide to withdraw smart devices with cyber security vulnerability. Companies that do not comply with the rules can be fined up to 15 million euros or 2.5 percent of their global turnover. It will cover a variety of internet-connected products such as computers, smartphones, home appliances, virtual aids and toys. The law will enter into force after the approval of the European Parliament (EP) and the European Council. (September 15)
Georgia: A 1.8-million-year-old tooth belonging to an early human species migrating from Africa was found in the Dmanisi region. (September 15)
USA: A lawsuit was filed against Amazon for causing prices to rise. In the indictment, filed by the California Attorney General’s Office, the company is accused of making deals that penalize sellers who offer cheaper prices on other stores’ sites. (September 15)
Japan: The flying motorcycle Xturismo, developed by Japanese start-up company AERWINS, debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in the USA. The final speed of the vehicle, which can stay in the air for 40 minutes, is 100 kilometers per hour. The vehicle, which is sold in Japan, is expected to be sold in the USA for $ 777 thousand. (16 September)
China: The National Center for Space Science (NSSC), affiliated with the Academy of Astronautical Sciences, announced that they discovered geological evidence of “volcanic lava flow consisting of at least four layers” during the exploration activities of the rover Chang’5 on the lunar surface. (September 18)
Art – Culture – History
Georgia: A 1.8 million-year-old tooth belonging to a primitive human species that migrated from Africa was found in the Dmanisi region. (September 15)
Palestine: A farmer in Gaza discovered a Byzantine mosaic. After planting new trees on his land, a Palestinian farmer luckily discovered a Byzantine floor mosaic showing colorful birds and other animals. While working in the olive grove of the Bureij refugee camp, about 12 km from the Israeli border, Salman al-Nabahin unearthed a mosaic pavement thought to date from the 5th-7th centuries AD. (September 18)
Australia: The world’s oldest heart was found in a 380-million-year-old jawed shark fossil in the Kimberley region. The researchers said the discovery will help shed light on the evolution of living things. (September 19)
International relations and strategies
Azerbaijan-Armenia: clashes have broken out on the border. (September 12) Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan announced that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on a ceasefire. (September 15)
Estonia – NATO: Estonian President Karis has announced that a NATO brigade will be deployed in the country. (September 15)
Russia – USA: arguing that Ukraine and the Western armed forces are acting together, Russia has declared that it is not about counseling, psychological and moral support, but about direct participation in the war and has warned the US. “If Washington decides to supply Kiev with long-range missiles, it will cross the red line and become a direct part of the conflict.” (September 15)
Cuba – USA – Aleida Guevara, the eldest daughter of the famous Cuban revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara, said the war in Ukraine happened because Russia had to defend its borders. “Would they stop and watch without doing it?” she said.
Speaking with RIA Novosti, Guevara also accused European politicians of imposing sanctions on Russia calling them “the most stupid”. “They are the stupidest people I have ever seen in my life I tell you honestly. “Noting that Russia is no longer the Soviet Union and that European countries should maintain friendly relations and partnerships with Russia, Guevara noted that instead of doing so, Europe is “rude and stupid enough to seek enemies”. Noting that Europe does not know the history of the Russian people and does not remember their victories, Guevara said: “Thanks to the Russian people, our world has become a better place” she added.
Energy Crisis: Spain: Simonetta Sommaruga, Swiss Federal Minister of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, told that they need to save on energy use at home and advised citizens to take a shower together. A similar statement came from Germany’s Baden-Württemberg President Winfried Kretschmann: “Don’t wash every day, there are wet wipes.” (14 September) Energy saving plan came into effect in Spain. Within the scope of the plan, window lighting in public buildings, shops and shopping centers must be turned off after 10 pm. (September 15) Russia- Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak stated that Russian gas exports to the European Union (EU) will decrease by 50 billion cubic meters this year. (September 15) Germany – Russia’s largest oil company Rosneft appointed a trustee to the refinery that supplies fuel to the capital Berlin. (September 16) France – Blackouts started in historical and touristic places in order to save energy. The lights of the pyramid of the Louvre Museum, one of the most important symbols of Paris, were turned off 2 hours early as part of “symbolic energy saving steps”. The lighting of the Eiffel Tower will also be dimmed early from September 23. The lights of the Palace of Versailles that illuminate the façade will also be turned off 1 hour early from next week. (September 18)
EU: Hungary – A first in the European Parliament. In the parliament, it was decided that Hungary under Viktor Orban “cannot be defined as a democracy”. And the Hungarian government was described as an “elected autocracy”. (September 15) Prime Minister Viktor Orban continued to criticize the EU regarding the sanctions against Russia. Orban said the EU’s sanctions against Russia were “a dwarf’s fight against a giant”. (September 16) The European Union Commission requested the suspension of approximately 7.5 billion euros of the funds provided to Hungary from the EU budget on grounds of violating the rule of law. (September 18)
USA – NATO – EU – Russia – Ukraine: US Chief of Staff Mark Milley has called for a high level of readiness for US military units stationed in Europe. (September 19)
USA – China – Taiwan: US President Joe Biden announced that American troops will defend Taiwan if China attacks. (September 19)
Sanctions – Russia bans entry to 30 British nationals who coordinated UK defense lobby representatives and anti-Russian information work. (September 14) Russia also banned 41 more Australian citizens, including journalists, from entering the country. (September 17) The Baltic states have increased their travel restrictions to Russia due to the Ukraine War, and have closed their borders to Russian citizens as of today. (September 19)
Armament: Denmark announced that it will train Ukrainian soldiers on Danish soil. (14 September) US- Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that they will provide 600 million dollars of military aid to Ukraine from the inventory of the US army. (September 16) Switzerland signed an agreement with the USA to purchase the F-35A type fighter jet. (September 19)
Bosnia and Herzegovina – USA-EU-NATO- Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential Council Milorad Dodik said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was in retaliation against the West. While Dodik accused Western countries of acting with double standards in Ukraine, “He could not speak out in the extermination of the Russian population living in Ukraine. That’s why there were bombings and deaths in Donbas,” he said. (September 19)
Politics – Elections
Sweden: Ulf Kristersson, the leader of the conservatives who won the general elections held in Sweden at the weekend, said that he will start working on forming a new government. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced that her Social Democrats had lost the general election after the official results announced on September 14. The bloc consisting of the Moderates, Sweden Democrats, Christian Democrats and Liberal Party took 176 of the 349 seats in the parliament, while the centre-left Social Democrats took 173 of the seats. The fact that the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats became the second largest party showed that the moderate and immigrant-friendly political order in the country began to change. (September 15)
Kazakhstan: The capital city Nur Sultan was renamed Astana. (September 17)
England: Queen II. Elizabeth was sent off on her last journey. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest at Windsor Castle on Monday after a historic state funeral service in Westminster Abbey, London. The queen’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault at St. George’s Chapel following a committal service which ended with a piper’s lament and the national anthem.
While US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden came to the Westminster Church, where the funeral was held, in an official car, other world leaders’ use of public transportation according to the funeral protocol caused controversy. And this image also marked the funeral ceremonies.
