Chinese government takes issue with Bitcoin
Earlier this week, China furthered its crackdown on the mining and exchange of the crypto-currency Bitcoin. This has been noticed through their blocking and denial of accounts on the nation’s platform ‘Weibo’, a platform similar to Twitter. The blocks follow with a message claiming that posts “violate laws and rules”. This freezing of Bitcoin posts on Weibo follows Chinese media reporting against crypto trading, in addition to China’s central bank accelerating testing of its own digital currency, therefore marking a very clear stance against the specific use of Bitcoin.
Last surviving liberator of Auschwitz passed away
David Dushman, often referred to as the ‘Hero of Auschwitz’ has died at 98 years old earlier this week. Dushman earned this nickname due to his contributions as a soldier in the liberation of a Nazi death camp in 1945, when he used a Soviet tank to mow down the electric fence surrounding the camp at just 21 years old. He was one of 69 soldiers in his division who survived the war despite serious injury, and until this week stood as the last survivor. Tributes will continue to take place over the next few weeks, and a funeral is to be held at the place of his death in Germany.
Murderer of Sarah Everard confesses guilt
On Tuesday this week, the former MET police officer Wayne Couzens pleaded guilty to the kidnapping, rape and murder of Sarah Everard as she walked home from a friend’s apartment in South London. He has not officially entered a plea relating to the section concerning her killing but his barrister has come forward to say he is going to take responsibility. Couzens has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
Putin legally bans ‘extremists’ from elections
On Friday last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a piece of legislation that bars members of ‘extremist’ organisations from running for office. His critics argue that this is only an effort to further block and discredit Alexei Navalny who is currently jailed by Putin. This legislation blocks ‘extremists’, or members of ‘extremist’ groups from running for seats in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, or taking part in other elections for periods ranging from three to five years.
UK drops Covid vaccine age limit
From this week, all adults from ages 25-29 years old will be able to book their first doses of a Covid vaccine, bringing the British government closer to their target of vaccinating as many citizens as possible before the date of June 21st, when the roadmap states lockdown should be lifted. However, it has been reiterated by Health Secretary Matt Hancock that the date of the 21st is only the minimum time for reopening and returning to normality; it is not a fixed date, therefore if the data reflects growing cases the government is prepared to delay opening up. Hancock has said that the government will “assess the data and announce the outcome by June the 14th”, by which point we will be informed of the next stages of the roadmap.
