Monday 1 June
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Headlines for June 01, 2020
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Minneapolis Protests at Epicenter of Nationwide Uprising Met with More Police Violence
Protests erupted across the United States as people continued to take to the streets over the weekend following the killing of 46-year-old George Floyd by white police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. Curfews have been enacted in at least 40 cities, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle. The National Guard was called in to several states as protests mounted.
Protesters in Minneapolis are calling for the arrest of all four officers involved in Floyd’s death. Derek Chauvin was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The three other officers who were fired along with Chauvin have not been charged, even as new video appears to show two of them also kneeling on George Floyd’s body as he laid on the pavement.
On Saturday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he’d “fully mobilized” the National Guard for the first time in his state’s history, adding another 1,000 soldiers to the 700 he’d already ordered into the streets of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Throughout the weekend, crowds of protesters were met with wave after wave of tear gas, rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades. This is Minneapolis community leader and business owner Marques Armstrong speaking at a protest Saturday.
Marques Armstrong: “They continued to allow the abuses to happen to the community. And so this is an uprising. We are not condoning the violence that’s happening, the looting, the rioting. We understand it, though. We want this city to not burn, but it seems like that’s what it has to take in order for them to finally start listening to us. Like I said, six years we’ve been saying to them, introducing policy changes, sitting across the table from them, from the mayor, from the police and the governor, the city councilmembers. We’ve been talking to them. We’ve been sitting with them. We’ve been urging them. We’ve been challenging them. We’ve been pushing them. And they ain’t listening.”
Governor Walz said Saturday he’d asked Pentagon chief Mark Esper and the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to help gather “signal intelligence” on protesters. On Friday, publicly available flight data showed Customs and Border Protection had diverted one of its Predator drones to circle 20,000 feet above Minneapolis as protesters gathered in the streets below. The drone is normally used to patrol the U.S.-Canadian border far to the north of the Twin Cities. A viral video posted online Saturday night shows a phalanx of officers in riot gear following an armored personnel carrier down a residential street in Minneapolis’s Whittier neighborhood after an 8 p.m. curfew went into effect. Officers repeatedly shout at residents to remain inside their homes, before firing crowd control rounds on a group of residents peacefully filming from their front porch.
In another harrowing moment, a truck driver barreled a tanker truck into a crowd of peaceful protesters who were occupying a Minneapolis interstate on Sunday afternoon. A crowd of thousands of people parted, with many diving to avoid the wheels of the massive truck. The driver slowed the vehicle as protesters surrounded him, then pulled him from the cab and roughed him up. Police moved in and arrested the driver, 35-year-old Bogdan Vechirko, who was booked on assault charges.
Louisville Police Shoot and Kill Man at Protest
Police officers in Louisville, Kentucky, said law enforcement fatally shot a protester early this morning while the police force and the National Guard were attempting to break up a crowd. Protesters in Louisville have been demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old aspiring nurse who was shot to death by police inside her own apartment in March.
New Yorkers Take to Streets Around City, Shut Down Traffic as NYPD Arrests Hundreds, Attacks Peaceful Crowds
In New York City, multiple protests unfolded over the weekend as thousands of people poured into the previously deserted neighborhoods due to the coronavirus lockdown. In Times Square Sunday, hundreds took a knee in silence to remember George Floyd. Protesters shut down traffic on the Manhattan Bridge Sunday. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, a shocking video shows two police SUVs ramming into a crowd of protesters. Mayor Bill de Blasio defended the actions of the officers, placing blame on the protesters.
NYPD said they have made nearly 800 arrests since the protests started. One of those arrested was Chiara de Blasio, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 25-year-old daughter. Chiara, who is Black, was arrested at a protest in downtown Manhattan. She has since been released.
In New York and Minneapolis, protesters cheered for unionized bus drivers who refused to transport arrested protesters to jails.
Rep. Joyce Beatty and Two Columbus City Officials Pepper-Sprayed by Ohio Police
In Columbus, Ohio, three government officials were pepper-sprayed by police Saturday morning: City Council President Shannon Hardin, Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce and Congressmember Joyce Beatty — all of them Black. Congressmember Beatty had stepped in to deescalate a scuffle.
Video Shows 9-Year-Old Seattle Child in Distress After Reportedly Being Maced by Police
In Seattle, Washington, disturbing images of a child who was apparently maced by a police officer has provoked outrage. Social media photos and video show the 9-year-old girl in obvious distress, crying as adults around her pour milk on her face to help alleviate the pain.
Protesters Rally in Front of Capitol, White House, as Trump Retreats to Presidential Bunker
In Washington, D.C., Secret Service officers confronted protesters outside the White House. Officials say President Trump took refuge in the White House bunker for an hour Friday night as hundreds protested. This is a protester speaking Saturday in front of the Capitol building.
Protester: “It does not matter what job you have, where you live, how many degrees you have. If your skin is black, you’re automatically a threat. As long as they use our skin color as a weapon, they will see us as a threat. We have to change the narrative today!”
Black Sacramento Teen Recovering After Being Shot in Face with Rubber Bullet
In Sacramento, California, a 19-year-old is in the hospital with a broken jaw after he was shot in the face with a rubber bullet while standing in place, peacefully protesting. Dayshawn McHolder had just graduated from high school days before he attended the protest. Elsewhere in California, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday night for all of Los Angeles County.
Atlanta Police Officers Fired After Tasing Two Students
In Atlanta, Georgia, two police officers have been fired for using “excessive force” after they tased two young black students in their car for allegedly violating the city’s curfew Saturday night. One officer smashed the window of the car they were in. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms condemned the attack. Mayor Bottoms also warned Atlanta residents this weekend of the additional health risks of protesting during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms: “If you were out protesting last night, you probably need to go get a COVID test this week, because there’s still a pandemic in America that’s killing Black and Brown people at higher numbers.”
Protests also took place around the world, including in Britain, Germany and New Zealand. In Spain, solidarity protests were limited to 10 people due to coronavirus restrictions.
Reporters Targeted, Attacked by Police While Covering Protests
Numerous reporters have been targeted as they covered protests around the country. Freelance photographer Linda Tirado was told by doctors she would be permanently blind in her left eye after being shot by Minneapolis police. Also in Minneapolis, an officer threw Vice News reporter Michael Anthony Adams face-first into the pavement of a gas station Saturday night as he shouted “Press!” and displayed his media ID above his head. Moments later, another officer casually blasted Adams directly in the face with pepper spray as he lay prone on the pavement.
In Louisville, Kentucky, a local reporter and photographer were hit by pepper balls while broadcasting live. The officer appeared to be aiming directly at Kaitlin Rust and photojournalist James Dobson.
Kaitlin Rust: [screams]
WAVE 3 anchor 1: “Are you OK?”
Kaitlin Rust: “I’m getting shot! I’m getting” —
WAVE 3 anchor 1: “Kate? Katie, are you OK?”
Kaitlin Rust: “Rubber bullets. Rubber bullets. It’s OK. It’s those pepper bullets. It’s those pepper bullets they’re just dropping in the street.”
WAVE 3 anchor 1: “Who are they aiming at?”
WAVE 3 anchor 2: “Now he’s shooting at the photographer.”
Kaitlin Rust: “At us, like directly at us! Directly at us!”
WAVE 3 anchor 1: “Why are they doing that?”
Kaitlin Rust: “Why?”
WAVE 3 anchor 2: “He’s shooting at our crew.”
In Los Angeles, public radio reporter Adolfo Guzman-Lopez tweeted a gruesome photo of a wound he received after a police officer shot him in the throat with a rubber-coated bullet.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has issued a safety advisory for reporters covering the protests, which includes avoiding working alone, and wearing protective gear, including body armor. The group also warns of the increased risk of contracting the coronavirus given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing.
Trump Tweets Plan to Designate Antifa a Terrorist Group
Authorities in Minnesota are now investigating the role white supremacists may be playing in the protests. The Twin Cities TV station KARE reports at one least one person arrested in Minneapolis had shown clear support for white supremacy on their Facebook page. Meanwhile, President Trump and Attorney General William Barr have threatened to take action against anti-fascist activists. On Sunday, Trump tweeted he would label antifa as a terrorist organization, even though he does not have the legal authority to do so. This comes as Trump is facing widespread criticism for inflaming tensions in the country. On Friday, Trump tweeted, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts” — quoting a phrase used by many segregationists in the 1960s. He also threatened protesters outside the White House with “vicious dogs” and “ominous weapons.”
Black Transgender Man Tony McDade Shot and Killed by Tallahassee Police
At rallies across the country, some protesters also held signs calling for justice for Tony McDade — a Black transgender man shot and killed by Florida police last week. Police say they shot the 38-year-old after they suspected he was involved in a stabbing, and alleged he had a gun. Hours before his killing, Tony McDade posted a video on social media saying he’d been attacked by a group of men and was targeted because he was a Black trans man. McDade’s was at least the third fatal police shooting in Tallahassee in two months.
Trump Pulls U.S. Out of World Health Organization
The number of people infected by the coronavirus across the globe has topped 6 million. Nearly 375,000 people have died, but many believe that is an undercount. While the world is facing one of its biggest public health crises in years, President Trump has announced the United States is terminating its relationship with the World Health Organization. Historically the U.S. has been the largest contributor to the WHO.
Coronavirus Surges in Brazil, Peru, Chile as Epicenter of Pandemic Shifts to Latin America
Coronavirus cases continue to surge in Latin America, now considered the epicenter of the pandemic. The region accounts for around 40% of new daily coronavirus deaths. Brazil, which has the highest number of infections in Latin America and the second highest in the world after the United States, has become the fourth-highest nation in COVID-19 deaths. Peru and Mexico saw record numbers of cases in recent days, even as Mexico moves to reopen its economy. Chile now has over 100,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, Central American nations are bracing for more devastation brought by Tropical Storm Amanda. At least 14 people have been killed in El Salvador as floods and torrential downpours batter the region.
SCOTUS Says CA Can Restrict Church Services as Coronavirus Cases Mount
In the United States, a new study shows the U.S. coronavirus death toll likely surpassed 100,000 weeks ago as states continue to underestimate the number of people killed by the virus. This comes as some communities in California and other states are scaling back reopening plans after seeing a spike in COVID cases.
The Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 on Friday to uphold California’s restrictions on church services during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed coronavirus warnings about church choirs even though they are believed to be so-called super spreaders of the infection.
In other related news, President Trump has canceled a planned face-to-face summit of G7 leaders in June after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a summit in Washington, D.C., would pose a health risk.
Journalist and Driver Killed in Kabul, Afghanistan, Bombing
In Afghanistan, a journalist and a driver from a TV station were killed by a bomb blast in the capital Kabul Saturday. At least four others were injured. Officials say the private bus was directly targeted. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Afghanistan is one of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists.
Israeli Soldiers Kill Unarmed Autistic Palestinian Man in Occupied East Jerusalem
Israeli police shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian man in occupied East Jerusalem Saturday. Iyad el-Hallak was a 32-year-old special needs student who attended and worked at a school near where he was killed. Police say they thought he was carrying a weapon. Demonstrators took to the streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with some protesters holding signs demanding justice for Iyad and for George Floyd. A day earlier, on Friday, Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian man in the West Bank who they claim tried to ram into them with his car.
Four More Women Accuse Harvey Weinstein of Rape, Sexual Assault
Four more women have accused convicted serial rapist and former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and rape in a new lawsuit filed in New York. One of the unnamed accusers was 17 at the time of an alleged attack. Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence after being convicted of rape in February. He still faces criminal charges in Los Angeles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K7XJGk8lyQ
Transcript & Video: Trump Urges States To ‘Dominate The Streets’ Or He’ll Send In The Military
By Colorado Public Radio Staff and The Associated Press
June 1, 2020
Transcript
As prepared by the White House, June 1, 2020
Thank you very much. My fellow Americans: My first and highest duty as President is to defend our great country and the American people. I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation, and that is exactly what I will do.
All Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd. My administration is fully committed that, for George and his family, justice will be served. He will not have died in vain. But we cannot allow the righteous cries and peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob. The biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities, and as their President, I will fight to keep them safe. I will fight to protect you. I am your President of law and order, and an ally of all peaceful protesters.
But in recent days, our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, Antifa, and others. A number of state and local governments have failed to take necessary action to safeguard their residence. Innocent people have been savagely beaten, like the young man in Dallas, Texas, who was left dying on the street, or the woman in Upstate New York viciously attacked by dangerous thugs.
Small-business owners have seen their dreams utterly destroyed. New York’s Finest have been hit in the face with bricks. Brave nurses, who have battled the virus, are afraid to leave their homes. A police precinct station has been overrun. Here in the nation’s capital, the Lincoln Memorial and the World War Two Memorial have been vandalized. One of our most historic churches was set ablaze. A federal officer in California, an African American enforcement hero, was shot and killed.
These are not acts of peaceful protest. These are acts of domestic terror. The destruction of innocent life and the spilling of innocent blood is an offense to humanity and a crime against God.
America needs creation, not destruction; cooperation, not contempt; security, not anarchy; healing, not hatred; justice, not chaos. This is our mission, and we will succeed. One hundred percent, we will succeed. Our country always wins.
That is why I am taking immediate presidential action to stop the violence and restore security and safety in America. I am mobilizing all available federal resources — civilian and military — to stop the rioting and looting, to end the destruction and arson, and to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, including your Second Amendment rights. Therefore, the following measures are going into effect immediately:
First, we are ending the riots and lawlessness that has spread throughout our country. We will end it now. Today, I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets. Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled.
If a city or a state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.
I am also taking swift and decisive action to protect our great capital, Washington, D.C. What happened in this city last night was a total disgrace. As we speak, I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults, and the wanton destruction of property.
We are putting everybody on warning: Our seven o’clock curfew will be strictly enforced. Those who threaten innocent life and property will be arrested, detained, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail. This includes Antifa and others who are leading instigators of this violence.
One law and order — and that is what it is: one law. We have one beautiful law. And once that is restored and fully restored, we will help you, we will help your business, and we will help your family.
America is founded upon the rule of law. It is the foundation of our prosperity, our freedom, and our very way of life. But where there is no law, there is no opportunity. Where there is no justice, there is no liberty. Where there is no safety, there is no future.
We must never give in to anger or hatred. If malice or violence reigns, then none of us is free.
I take these actions today with firm resolve and with a true and passionate love for our country. By far, our greatest days lie ahead.
Thank you very much. And now I’m going to pay my respects to a very, very special place. Thank you very much.
Tuesday 2 June
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Headlines for June 02, 2020
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Trump Threatens to Send Military into Streets to Crack Down on Nationwide Uprising
As a historic uprising against police violence continues across the United States, President Trump Monday threatened to send heavily armed soldiers into the country’s streets.
President Donald Trump: “Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled. If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.”
As Trump spoke from the Rose Garden, blasts could be heard from nearby Lafayette Park as the National Guard and police officers fired tear gas, rubber bullets and flashbangs to disperse a peaceful protest against police brutality. Many officers wore riot gear; some were on horseback. Moments later, Trump walked through the now-cleared park to have his photo taken with a Bible in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, which was boarded up. Trump was accompanied by Attorney General William Barr, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
The president’s actions were widely denounced. D.C. Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde criticized Trump for using the church as a “backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus.” The chief of police in Arlington, Virginia, pulled his officers from D.C. after they were used to clear the park, saying their safety and the safety of others was endangered for a photo op. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon wrote on Twitter, “The fascist speech Donald Trump just delivered verged on a declaration of war against American citizens.”
Protests Spread Around the U.S. and the Globe as Autopsies Confirm George Floyd Died of Homicide
Protests against police violence continue to rage across the country. Thousands have been arrested, including 2,000 people in Los Angeles alone. Cities across the country have imposed curfews. Twenty-three states have called in the National Guard. Protests have also spread across the globe, reaching France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, among many other countries. The European Union’s top diplomat said the EU is “shocked and appalled” by George Floyd’s killing, calling it “an abuse of power” by police. The protests began a week ago, after a white police officer in Minneapolis pinned African American George Floyd to the ground by his neck for eight minutes while Floyd gasped for air, repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe.”
Two separate autopsies Monday confirmed Floyd’s death was a homicide. The officer, Derrick Chauvin, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers who were also at the scene have been fired but not charged. George Floyd’s memorial service is planned for Thursday in Minneapolis, and his funeral is scheduled for next Tuesday in Houston. Meanwhile, NBC News reports that Minneapolis police records show officers used neck restraints over 230 times over the last five years and made at least 44 people unconscious.
Louisville Police Chief Fired After African American Man Shot and Killed Monday
In other news, Louisville, Kentucky, Police Chief Steve Conrad has been fired after it emerged two officers who were at the scene of a fatal shooting early Monday morning did not have their body cameras activated — a violation of police department policy. Both police and the National Guard fired shots at a crowd on Monday, which killed David McAtee, whose body then reportedly lay in the streets of Louisville for over 12 hours. David McAtee owned a local barbecue business and was a beloved figure in the community who regularly gave police officers free meals. Louisville Police Chief Steve Conrad had already announced his plan to retire this month in the wake of the Louisville police killing of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African American woman. She was shot to death by police inside her own apartment in March. Taylor was an EMT and emergency room technician, as well as an aspiring nurse.
15,000 People Attend Youth Rally in Oakland, CA; Police Continue Attacks on Protesters
Here in New York City, protests continued into the night in defiance of an 11 p.m. curfew imposed Monday — the city’s first curfew since 1943. Earlier in the day, protesters held a die-in in Times Square.
In Oakland, California, an estimated 15,000 people attended a massive youth march against police brutality. This is organizer Akil Riley addressing a sea of students, educators and parents outside Oakland Technical High School.
Akil Riley: “It lives off poor people in this capitalist society. People need to be oppressed for America to work. So don’t believe that [bleep] that police are fighting crime. They’re brainwashed. They’re merely an arm of oppression. Why would the system of government work to combat crime? No, they work to make money. If America was really against crime, they would give people access to healthcare and housing and education.”
Shortly before the countywide 8 p.m. curfew began, police began shooting tear gas, flashbang grenades and rubber bullets at demonstrators in front of Oakland Police Department headquarters. Shortly after 8 p.m., police kettled protesters and made several group arrests, many of them for curfew violations.
Meanwhile, public health experts and government officials are warning that protests could lead to new surges of COVID-19 infections. The coronavirus has already killed Black people in America at a disproportionately high rate.
Outrage After White Bar Owner Who Shot and Killed 22-Year-Old James Scurlock Dodges Criminal Charge
Activists are calling for justice for James Scurlock, a 22-year-old Black man who was fatally shot Saturday night by a white bar owner in Omaha, Nebraska, during anti-police-brutality protests. Prosecutors said Monday bar owner Jake Gardner will not face charges because he appeared to act in self-defense in surveillance footage of the shooting. But others say James Scurlock was attempting to deescalate a scuffle outside the bar which started after Gardner and his father provoked a crowd and Gardner fired his gun. A Facebook post by Jake Gardner, a 38-year-old ex-marine, just hours before the killing, reads, “Just when you think, 'what else could 2020 throw at me?' Then you have to pull 48 hours of military style firewatch.” Gardner has been arrested on criminal charges at least four times, including once for third-degree assault. He has also faced accusations of discriminating against Black patrons and making transphobic comments.
Facebook Workers Stage Virtual “Walkout,” Call Out Inaction on Trump’s Posts Inciting Violence
Facebook employees staged a virtual “walkout” Monday, in solidarity with the nationwide demonstrations and to protest Facebook’s handling of Trump posts that “incite violence.” Last week Twitter placed a warning on a Trump post that included the phrase “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” saying it violated rules about glorifying violence. But Facebook and CEO Mark Zuckerberg declined to take any action on the same post, despite concerns voiced by a growing number of its staff.
Iranian Scientist Who Contracted COVID-19 in ICE Jail Is Deported
An Iranian scientist who contracted COVID-19 while imprisoned in a U.S. immigration jail is being deported today. Sirous Asgari was imprisoned for years despite being acquitted in a trade secrets case. Before becoming infected, Asgari pleaded for his freedom and called out the unsanitary and inhumane conditions inside the Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana, where he was being held.
First Rohingya Refugee Dies of COVID-19 in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar
As global coronavirus cases top 6.2 million and deaths surpass 375,000, countries around the world continue to ease restrictions, even as the World Health Organization warns that premature reopenings could cause a new wave of infections.
In Bangladesh, the first Rohingya refugee has died of COVID-19. The 71-year-old had been living in Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee camp, home to 1 million Rohingya. This comes as Bangladesh reported over 2,900 new cases nationwide in the past day — the highest daily number yet.
Countries Move to Reopen Economies and Schools, But Uncertainty Remains
In India, more than two months after it imposed the world’s largest lockdown, many businesses and services reopened Monday. This comes despite the registered increase in coronavirus cases. Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and places of worship may also reopen as of next week.
In Britain, many grade schools started holding in-person classes again this week, as Boris Johnson’s government also eases other restrictions, including allowing small gatherings outdoors. Some are objecting to what they say is a rush to end the lockdown, with many parents opting to hold back their kids from attending. Infections are trending downward, but the country still reports around 4,000 new cases every day and has registered close to 40,000 COVID deaths.
This comes as teacher unions in South Africa are urging staff to defy government orders to reopen schools this week, saying schools do not have enough personal protective equipment or resources to keep educators and students safe. South Africa has reported 35,000 coronavirus cases, while the African continent has surpassed 150,000 infections.
U.N. Says Billions Needed as Yemen Faces “Tragedy” Fueled by Coronavirus and Years of War
The United Nations is appealing for $2.4 billion to carry out humanitarian operations in Yemen as the nation faces a dual “tragedy” fueled by the coronavirus and years of devastating war. Save the Children warns over 5 million Yemenis are at risk of losing access to food and clean water. An international pledging conference, hosted by the U.N. and Saudi Arabia, is taking place today. The U.S.-backed, Saudi-led war in Yemen has created the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. Data from intensive care units suggest 20% of patients treated for COVID-19 in Yemen are dying, compared with a global average of 7%. While Yemen officially has registered around 350 cases and over 80 deaths, the country has one of the lowest testing rates in the world, and the true toll is expected to be much higher.
EPA Slashes Water Protections, Restricts States’ and Tribes’ Ability to Challenge Pipeline Projects
The Environmental Protection Agency gutted parts of the Clean Water Act Monday when it finalized a rule restricting the ability of states and tribes to block federal energy projects, such as pipelines or industrial plants, that could pollute rivers and drinking water. Lisa Feldt of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said, “This rule is an egregious assault on states’ longstanding authority to safeguard the quality of their own waters. Despite the Trump administration’s professed respect for 'cooperative federalism,' it is clearly willing to steamroll states’ rights and greenlight major construction projects with no regard for how they might damage state waters.”
Siberia Experiences Record-Breaking Heat Wave, Accelerating Thawing of Permafrost
In climate news, Siberia is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave. Some parts of the region registered temperatures more than 20 degrees higher than the historical average for this time of year. Wildfires are expected to intensify into the summer as scientists warn the mounting temperatures are speeding the thawing of the permafrost, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, causing temperatures to further rise.
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