Pope Francis addresses China’s Muslims
The long-awaited condemnation of China by the Vatican arrived this week in the Pope’s new book, where he called the Uighur Muslims a ‘persecuted’ community. Though this has little physical impact on the mass genocide currently going on in China, the simple fact that Pope Francis has shown disapproval of the Chinese government is considered a huge step forward. A representative from China rejected his criticism, calling it ‘groundless’, and their foreign ministry spokesman Zhao reiterated that the nation treats all ethnic minorities equally. Up to one million Uighur Muslims remain enclosed in what China has reported to be educational camps.
Deaths following Ugandan protests
In the city of Kampala, as well as some other Ugandan cities, at least 45 people were killed during ongoing protests. The protests were triggered by the arrest of a presidential candidate named Bobi Wine, who was arrested by the government on the grounds that he contracted COVID-19. The protesters think this was an attempt by the ruling government to slow Wine’s campaigning ahead of an election in January 2021. The Ugandan military and police quickly got involved with the protesters, and seem to be the reason for these deaths. A spokesman from the police force said they will investigate these deaths. The protesters appear to be non-violent and unarmed so far.
Hundreds of Ethiopians die in the Tigray Massacre earlier this week
It has been revealed that 600 civilians died during an ethnically-driven massacre of Mai Kadra, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region on November 9th. It is said that local youths known as Samiri, who were aided by the current local administration, went door-to-door murdering those who identified as Amhara or Wolkait, both of which are minority ethnic groups. A watchdog from Amnesty international witnessed the killings, and informed that the victims were killed brutally by stabbings or by being strangled with rope. The Ethiopian Prime Minister, who comes from the ethnic majority group Oromo, has given a deadline for Tigray’s combatants for the end of the week to stop and surrender.
Scotland makes period products free
Scotland has become the first country in the world to introduce free access to tampons and pads after the Scottish Parliament unanimously approved the Bill 121 votes to zero. Menstrual products will therefore now be free to people in public toilets and workplaces in order to end the “stigma of menstruation”. The Labour presentative who introduced the bill, Monica Lennon, said that the next step would be ‘menstrual education’ in the school curriculum. A huge part of passing the bill was the supporters of the campaign who have been donating lots of money and support, as well as demonstrations in the street.
Biden announces first national security appointments
President-elect Joe Biden has said that his top priority, along with assembling the COVID-19 task force, is reestablishing national security and saving foreign policy. As a result, while Trump continued to demand recounts and tried to pardon himself, Biden listed the names of who his appointments will be for national security. In this list, the Secretary of State is Antony Blinken, the director of national intelligence is Avril Haines, and the familiar face of John Kerry from the Obama administration will be the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.
