01 May 2022

Weekly Newsletter

Russia-Ukraine

Shelling of major cities continued this week, reportedly killing a number civilians. Although Russia's main focus remains the Donbas region, two missiles reportedly struck Kyiv on Thursday. On Saturday, shelling of Kharkiv killed at least one and left five more injured, according to Ukrainian officials.Meanwhile, Zelenksyy confirmed on Sunday that evacuation of civilians from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol began over the weekend, after negotiations stalled on Friday.This comes as UN Sec. General Antnio Guterres met with Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy Thursday, and Putin on Tuesday.On Wednesday, Ukraine was accused of attacks on Russian territory a day after Britain's minister of armed forces said such attacks are "completely legitimate." The two incidents didn't appear to be linked.Meanwhile, blasts in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria on Monday and Tuesday, along with previous Russian comments, have raised concerns the region could be drawn into the war.

Military

NATO's secretary-general said Finland and Sweden could join quickly,Germany approved the delivery of anti-aircraft systems for Ukraine,a US warship transited through the Taiwan strait,North Korea vowed to bolster its nuke capability,and Israel and Lebanon exchanged rocket fire.Meanwhile, the US announced that it's seeking expanded powers to counter drones,and a new report revealed that they left behind $7B of military equipment when withdrawing from Afghanistan.

World Politics

A report recommended that the UK take back rule of the British Virgin Islands,the islands' Premier was arrested on drugs charges, andUS Sec. of State Antony Blinken suggested Iran may be plotting to kill US officials.Meanwhile, Russia halted gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria,and the US was reported to be holding off sanctioning Putin's alleged girlfriend.Elsewhere, Turkish Pres. Erdoan visited Saudi Arabia,while Biden announced plans to visit South Korea and Japan.And in election news, Slovenia's leader lost the country's vote,while in France Macron won a second term.

US Politics

The DHS announced the formation of a disinformation governance board,Biden said he's considering forgiving more student loan debt,Florida Gov. DeSantis signed a bill creating an election police force,and Utah Dems endorsed an Independent for Senate.Meanwhile, SCOTUS heard the 'Remain in Mexico' dispute,a judge temporarily blocked the termination of Title 42,and a Texas guardsman was found drowned.In Trump news, the former president was held in civil contempt,a report said his officials overruled the Pentagon to approve a controversial pandemic loan,and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was revealed to have allegedly suggested he consider martial law.Meanwhile, GOP leaders were reported to have broken with Trump after Jan. 6,and his Chief of Staff was revealed to have allegedly been pre-warned of violence that day.In other news, the US attorney general pledged independence in a Hunter Biden probe,a funeral was held for former Sec. of State Madeleine Albright,and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) passed away.

Crime and Justice

A report found a pattern of discrimination by Minneapolis police,a transgender inmate was sentenced for sexually assaulting a female prisoner,the officer responsible for the death of Patrick Lyoya was named,and a Major General was sentenced for sexual misconduct in the first-ever air force conviction.Meanwhile, SCOTUS agreed to hear an appeal from a Texas death row inmate,while Singapore executedan intellectually disabled man.

Civil liberties

An ESPN anchor sued the network on free speech grounds,Harvard started a $100M slavery reparations fund,SCOTUS ruled in favor of a diversity-based admissions policy in Virginia,and a Canadian university opened a tenure position for 'women, transgender, non-binary or two-spirit' applicants.Meanwhile, SCOTUS agreed to hear a dispute over a high school coach praying,while Oklahoma's Senate passed bills to ban abortions in nearly all instances,and its governor signed a ban on non-binary birth certificates.Elsewhere, a Turkish court sentenced a government critic to life in prison.

Money & Finance

A judge rejected Elon Musk's bid to throw out a settlement over Tesla stock tweets,Boeing revealed that it lost $660M from an Air Force One deal with Trump,and the US economy was found to have shrunk in the first quarter of 2022.Meta stock was reported to have soared following Q1 earnings, andFidelity announced plans to offer Bitcoin exposure to 401(k) investors.Meanwhile, Indonesia banned palm oil exports.

Big Tech

Meta announced plans to open its first retail store,Trump's 'Truth Social' topped the US Apple App Store chart,and Twitter accepted Elon Musk's takeover bid,which former CEO Dorsey endorsed.Meanwhile, the EU signed a deal paving the way for stricter Big Tech rules.

Health

The CDC confirmed the first case of bird flu in the US,the WHO & UNICEF warned of a surge in measles,the White House announced plans to increase access to COVID antivirals,and the kids hepatitis outbreak spread to Japan, Canada and Israel.In COVID news, Moderna said its seeking approval of a vaccine for kids under 6,while Pfizer is seeking it on a booster for kids 5-11.

Climate & Environment

New studies warned that ocean animals could face mass extinction,while 1/5 reptile species risk extinction.Meanwhile, a separate study warned that climate change could catalyze animal-to-human virus spillovers,the Biden admin. announced plans to phase out incandescent bulbs,and a climate activist died through self-immolation.

Sports

Spain was kicked out of the Rugby World Cup,The NCAA announced that Pres. Emmert will step down,and Wimbledon said vaccines won't be required, allowing Djokovic to defend his title.

Space

An all-private SpaceX astronaut mission returned from the ISS.