Belgium COVID-19 rates reported highest in the European Union
Health officials are struggling to get a handle on the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Belgium. A CNN article published on Oct. 28 reported that Belgium has seen over 300,000 COVID-19 cases and about 11,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic with an average of over 13,000 new cases each day. Cases have been exacerbated by the fact that healthcare resources are dwindling and hospitals are largely understaffed. Currently, healthcare specialists in Belgium are looking to Belgian government leaders to impose stricter restrictions that will mitigate the risks for contraction as well as, looking to neighboring nations for assistance with acquiring life-saving healthcare supplies.
UK Labour Party suspends Jeremy Corbyn after anti-Semitic controversy
Last Thursday, UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was suspended from his role. According to BBC News, Corbyn was ousted from his position due to his lack of action with the growing antisemitism within the Labour Party. This decision by the party comes after years of silence and lack of condemnation from Corbyn on the issue. It was ultimately decided that Corbyn’s repeated passive allowance of anti-Semitic behaviors, such as his past approval of anti-Semitic art pieces or staying silent on the issue, within the party proved him an unfit leader.
SARS conflict and protests in Nigeria continue
Unrest across Nigeria continued well into the final weeks of October and the start of November as citizens take to the streets in protest of corruption and brutality in the police system. Nigerians have been marching in record numbers to call attention to the immense corruption within their government and law enforcement. According to the Brookings, many of the spearheaders are Nigerian youths who have become active and spread awareness. The hashtag #EndSARS (SARS referring to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad) has pulled focus to their cause and highlighted the horrors that they have been facing by the hands of the power in their country. Nigerians are seeking revolutionary change that will ensure the betterment and safety of both the citizens of their country and their country’s democracy.
New coral reef discovered in Australia
According to BBC News, on Oct. 20 researchers in Australia discovered a new coral reef. Footage snagged by an underwater discovery robot places the reef at about 1,640 feet in height, making it notably taller than both the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. Marine biologists who work within the Great Barrier Reef are excited by the new discovery and are currently taking stock of the sea-life present within the reef. They are also making pre-emptive efforts to preserve the reef.
