Cars lined up to get fuel at Birmingham, England
Image credit: Jacob King/Press Association, via Associated Press for The New York Times
September 27-October 1 News
1. Russia Threatens to Ban Youtube
Over the last few days, Russia has threatened to ban the video-sharing platform Youtube after its suspension of the German-language Russia Today (RT) News channel from the platform due to having, allegedly, spread misinformation on Covid-19 vaccines. After the fact, the Russian foreign ministry claimed that Youtube had engaged in an “unprecedented act of media aggression”, accusing the platform of censorship. Given the importance of a state’s media presence, the RT was seen as crucial in spreading Russian news and information throughout the world, having several language outputs. Despite the RT News channel having already been banned in other countries, the removal of its German-language-based program (reaching German-speaking viewers) could impact Russia’s control over online content in the encompassing region, limiting the spread of its views. Moreover, Germany has denied any involvement in the ban of the channel. Youtube has, as of yet, not issued a reply to the Russian claims.
To learn more about this, have a look at the links below:
2. “Huawei Princess” Freed After 3 Years
Meng Wanzhou, also known as the “Huawei princess” (a Chinese business executive who is deputy chair and chief financial officer of China’s tech-giant private company, Huawei), has been freed after her imprisonment in Canada in 2018. The subsequent arrest of two Canadians, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor, has been criticized as “hostage diplomacy” (the taking of hostages for diplomatic purposes) on China’s behalf, trapping them in response to Meng Wanzhou’s own imprisonment in the West, something further supported by the fact that the two were soon released after Wanzhou’s own liberation. This, therefore, indicates an agreement made between Canada, the USA, and China. Nevertheless, the Huawei Princess’ freedom was celebrated in China as the return of the tech-giant successor strengthened its position in the global market. Despite being the biggest telecommunication provider in China, Huawei has been claimed to spy on its customers through the use of telecommunication apps, selling the information to the Chinese government, something that previously led to its ban in the USA and UK. The future of the company is so far unclear given this recent event, but it will definitely be strengthened by the return of Meng Wanzhou.
To learn more about this, have a look at the links below:
https://morningexpress.in/what-did-huawei-princess-manh-van-chau-say-after-being-freed-by-canada/
https://hongkongfp.com/2021/09/26/huawei-exec-meng-wanzhou-lands-in-china-after-deal-with-us/
https://theconversation.com/meng-and-the-two-michaels-why-chinas-hostage-diplomacy-failed-168739
3. UK Gas Shortage
The United Kingdom (UK) has been suffering from a gas shortage due to the delay of truck driver license releases, aggravated by the pandemic. Further, given that truck drivers tend to be older, their retirements have lessened the number of drivers currently working, resulting in there being 100,000 drivers less than needed. Moreover, 20% of truck drivers in Britain left after Brexit as they were foreign workers, worsening the situation. The UK has reacted by raising wages by 25%, providing 5,000 visas for remaining foreign drivers, raising truck driver work hours, and making use of its military to deliver gas throughout the country (currently being on standby).
To learn more about this, have a look at the links below:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/28/world/europe/why-uk-fuel-shortage.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/29/petrol-crisis-why-brits-are-panic-buying-gasoline.html
[Research conducted by Global Politics student Felipe Rapacci]
EAC PRESS 