September 1 – Global Issues
Global Health: Coronavirus, or COVID-19
After reopening their economies, European countries are experiencing a sharp rise in the number of new coronavirus cases. More than half of the new cases reported through the week ending August 23 are from Spain (21%), Russia (16%), France (10%), and Ukraine (6%).[1]
(Sep 5)
India has the fastest growing coronavirus crisis, with more than 80,000 new infections reported each day. The pandemic is also shrinking the economy, putting 200 million people at risk of falling back into poverty.[2]
(Sep 22)
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson rescinds some of the eased lockdown measures and adds new restrictions, such as working from home and closing pubs and restaurants earlier. He also warns that these measures could last up to six months if conditions do not improve, saying the country was at a “perilous turning point.”[3]
(Sept 22)
The United States surpasses 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus, eight months into the pandemic. The U.S. leads the world in coronavirus deaths and the number of cases, with over 6.8 million people infected by the virus since January. California and New York, after being hit by the virus at the beginning of the pandemic, are now recording COVID-19 infections below one percent for six straight weeks due to aggressive restrictions on gatherings, mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions, and masking. Currently, states like Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Wisconsin and the Dakotas are experiencing unprecedented numbers of positive coronavirus cases, setting single day records attributed to community spread.[4]
(Sep 30)
The coronavirus has killed over one million people globally in the last 10 months; this is more than deaths from H.I.V., malaria, influenza, cholera, measles and dysentery combined, and it is still growing fast. More than 40 million people worldwide have contracted the disease. Some countries’ response to the virus, such as China, Germany, South Korea, and New Zealand has been more effective than other, including the United States.[5]
More on the coronavirus-caused situation in India
More on the response to the virus by different countries
Coronavirus report by the region from WHO
September 4 – Latin America: BRAZIL
Environment: Fires in Pantanal and the Amazon
A record amount of the world’s largest tropical wetlands in Brazil’s region of Pantanal, one of the most biologically diverse habitats on the planet, is devastated due to huge fires that swept through the area from January to August. About 7,861 square miles, or about 10 percent of it has been lost. These fires are often set by ranchers and farmers to clear land, but this time they were exacerbated by unusually dry conditions with below-normal rainfall and near-record temperatures. Also, this year’s fires in the Amazon region, many of them set deliberately as well, have been very destructive. Some of these fires were so large that they were visible from space.[6]
More on these fires and Brazil’s government response
Q&A about fires in the Amazon
September 4 – Europe / Middle East:
SERBIA / KOSOVO / ISRAEL
Serbia and Kosovo agree to normalize their economic relations as part of U.S.-brokered talks. The deal covers a range of economic activities, including investment, creation of jobs, as well as rail, road, and air cooperation. In addition to the economic deal, Serbia agrees to move its Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Also, Israel and Kosovo agree to mutual diplomatic recognition. However, the economic agreement does not include “mutual recognition” between Serbia and Kosovo.[7]
Background
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after nine years of violent crackdown by Serbia on Kosovo separatist movement and ethnic cleansing of Kosovars who are predominantly Albanian. Kosovo has been recognized by most of the Western countries, including the United States, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China, as well as ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have not.[8]
More on Kosovo
September 6 – East Asia: HONG KONG
About 290 people are arrested during anti-government protests in Hong Kong sparked by the region’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s decision to postpone the elections for a year. Lam’s reason for canceling the election is the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but critics say her government is concerned the opposition would gain legislative seats if election took place now. The new security law enacted recently aiming at curbing protests has not completely achieved its goal as demonstrations still take place.[9]
September 9 – North America / Middle East:
UNITED STATES / IRAQ
The U.S. military is reducing the number of its troops in Iraq from 5,200 to 3,000 during this month, saying the Iraqi military is now capable of carrying out independent operations against the remnants of the terrorist group, ISIS. The U.S., however will continue advising and assisting the Iraqis. About 500 U.S. troops still remain in Syria and 8,600 in Afghanistan.[10]
U.S. active-duty military presence overseas in the last 60 years
September 12 – Africa: MAURITIUS
Environment: Massive Oil Spill
Widespread protests in Mauritius continue over a massive offshore oil spill and the government’s handling of the disaster. The protesters call for the top officials to resign. In late July, the Japanese-owned bulk carrier, the MV Wakashio, struck a coral reef offshore of Pointe d’Esny in the southeast coast of Mauritius and broke apart in mid-August. About 1,000 tons of fuel oil were leaked into the ocean.[11]
Background
The nation-island of Mauritius, with its unique biodiversity-rich marine ecosystem – one of the few left on Earth – and world-renowned coral reefs, relies heavily on tourism. Pointe d’Esny with its renowned wetlands is a known sanctuary for rare wildlife. The oil spill endangered thousands of animal species and threatened Mauritius’ economy, food security and health. The government declared a state of environmental emergency and appealed for international help.[12]
Why the Mauritius oil spill is so serious
Mauritius oil spill and fears of ecological disaster (video 2:47 min)
September 15 – Middle East / North America:
ISRAEL / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / UNITED STATES
Politics: Peace Agreement between Israel and UAE
Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sign a U.S.-brokered peace agreement at the White House (agreed earlier on August 13) that normalizes relations between the two countries. This makes the UAE the third Arab country (after Egypt and Jordan) to restore a relationship with Israel.
The deal known as the Abraham Accord
As part of this agreement, both countries will exchange ambassadors and cooperate on investment, commerce, tourism, and military. They also resume direct commercial flights. Israel, on its part agrees to temporarily suspend plans to annex the West Bank. Palestinians denounce the deal calling it “a betrayal of Jerusalem” and announce an immediate withdrawal of their Ambassador to the UAE. The deal has been also condemned by Iran.[13]
Five reasons why Israel’s peace deals with the UAE and Bahrain matter
September 18 – North America: UNITED STATES
Supreme Court of the United States
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at the age of 87. She was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and was only the second woman ever confirmed to the bench. Known as RBG, she was an outspoken advocate for gender equality and civil rights. She has become the first woman in US history to lie in state at the US Capitol in Washington DC.
What does it mean to lie in state?
RBG’s work and achievements
RBG in pictures and her own words
About the U.S. Supreme Court