Japan’s Prime Minister resigns
Last Friday, Aug. 28, the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, announced that he would be resigning from his position, according to The New York Times. Abe explained the reason behind his resignation is due to personal health issues. Abe, 65, is facing a relapse of ulcerative colitis, a bowel disease, which has caused him problems in the past. In 2007, Abe had to step down during his first term as Prime Minister due to the same health issue. Abe’s decision was announced only four days after he had broken the eight-year record for the longest uninterrupted service as a Prime Minister in Japan’s history. According to The New York Times, “[Abe] said that he wanted to make way for a new leader who could focus fully on tackling the coronavirus pandemic and other challenges.”
Brazil’s plan to protect Amazon causes harm
After a string of wildfires in the Amazon Rainforest in May, Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, faced international demand for action. Last week, the Associated Press was able to analyze Bolsonaro’s plan for the Amazon, named the “Green Brazil 2,” but found that the plan was anything but helpful. Most notably, the plan includes the army focusing on small-road projects, allowing for easier access to ports, and in turn, further exploitation. To add, the Associated Press also found that the number of fines for environmental crimes have been halved under Bolsonaro. Exporters of resources from the Amazon have also stopped being penalized under the new plan, allowing for meatpackers who sell beef from the deforested areas and other companies to operate freely without repercussions. There has been no mention of a revised plan from the Brazilian government.
France prohibits banned bird hunting technique
On Aug. 27, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a temporary suspension of a bird hunting technique using harmful glue traps, according to The New York Times. This particular technique, which consists of covering tree branches with glue to trap songbirds and in turn lure other larger birds for hunting, has been condemned as cruel by outspoken activists and even banned by the European Union in 1979. France had created a loophole for the ban on the trapping technique, allowing for it to continue being used for the past 41 years. It is unknown whether the temporary suspension of the technique will be turned into a permanent ban. According to The New York Times, “Conservationists welcomed the suspension this week, but they also urged Macron’s government to make the ban permanent and outlaw other indiscriminate hunting practices like trapping birds with nets.”
Palestine and Israel unable to restore ties
Earlier this month, Israel announced annexation plans of Jewish settlements in the West Bank were to be halted as part of a diplomatic deal with the United Arab Emirates. However, according to The New York Times, Palestine is still not ready to restore ties with Israel, a pledge made by Palestine until plans of annexation of the West Bank were canceled. The security, financial and civil ties between Palestine and Israel were cut off in May when Palestine announced their pledge to cut the ties. As a result of the diplomatic deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Palestine’s leaders condemned the Persian Gulf sheikhdom for normalizing relations with Israel.
