Prime Minister Johnson recently announced his intention to have his government introduce domestic legislation that would rewrite provisions of the “landmark agreement” with the European Union. The announcement brought a significant sense of surprise within the British Isles and beyond, as the proposed legislation would change the treatment of trade to and from Northern Ireland.
Election Spotlight: New Zealand (October 17)
While New Zealand’s parliamentary election was originally scheduled for September 19, as a result of a spike in COVID-19 cases there, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced in August that it would be delayed until October 17. With the previous election in 2017 requiring a coalition government to form, Ardern now seeks to achieve a majority in this year’s election.
Whistleblower accuses Irwin County Detention Center of Forced Hysterectomies
On September 14th, 2020 a nurse, Dawn Wooten, working in the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) alleged rising rates of unnecessary hysterectomies among immigrant women. While media coverage primary focused on the hysterectomies, Project South, Institute for the Elimination of Poverty and Genocide released a supplemental report condemning a variety longstanding ICDC medical practices, ranging from medical neglect to rotten food.
The Growing Challenge of Foreign Investment and Trade Dominance
In 2013, China introduced its Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) project with the aim of expanding trade networks. China is not the only nation with ambitious plans for investment abroad, with several other nations developing similar programs to capitalize on opportunity or combat Chinese influence. Many of these international foreign investment plans will take time to reveal long-term effects and ultimate success. However, if developed nations seize assets and take advantage of debt-distressed nations, neo-imperialist sentiments could grow again