Nyma E., Global News Editor
As the spread of the COVID-19 worsens across the EU, many people have been forced into a second lockdown. However, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is offering a glimmer of hope to the 27 nations that comprise the EU.
Continue reading “Mass Vaccinations in the EU”Nyma E., Global News Editor
Earlier this year, I wrote an article explaining Brexit. If you would like to read that article, click here.
The United Kingdom formally left the European Union on January 31, 2020. Currently, the UK is in a transition period where it still has to follow the EU rules. This transition period expires on December 31, 2020. The UK is scrambling to get a trade deal in place before this date; if they don’t, the UK will crash out of the EU without a trade deal.
The UK and EU have been struggling to negotiate a trade deal since January; however, some progress has been made after weeks of slow-moving talks. Fishing rights, competition rules, and how a deal would be enforced are the three main issues that still need to be negotiated. The UK and EU are also negotiating how closely the UK will have to follow EU standards after the transition.
If the UK and EU manage to strike up a trade deal, trade between the two will continue to be cheaper and easier because no taxes will have to be paid. However, if no trade deal is reached, there will be significant consequences. At this rate, likely, the UK and EU will not agree on a trade deal before December 31.
The EU is the UK’s largest trading partner; the trading relationship between the two is worth $900 million. In addition to that, the UK is already suffering its worst recession in 300 years; disagreeing on a trade deal could prolong this recession and make it even harder. In fact, economic destruction caused by a no-deal Brexit could be worse than the destruction caused by the pandemic. Unemployment is expected to rise dramatically. Businesses will also have to pay taxes on imports and exports, making UK goods harder to sell abroad, consequently increasing British shops’ prices for goods made in the EU.
Even if a trade deal is reached, there will still be a bad economic situation, with GDP expected to drop 11.3% this year. Also, the costs companies face would still be higher because of border checks and customs.
One industry that will be hit particularly hard if there is a no-deal Brexit is the motor industry. The British motor industry has already been hit very hard by the pandemic; the industry is the slowest it has been since 1995. A no-deal Brexit could lead to a £100 billion dent in the car industry over the next five years, damaging it even further. The motor industry is very interconnected between the UK and EU; parts cross many countries’ borders, so it is necessary to have a trade deal.
One of these negotiations’ most critical parts is the border between Northern and Southern Ireland and whether it will remain open or return back into a hard border. The return of a hard border would be a major consequence of a no-deal Brexit. A hard border between the two would lead to vandalization and border guards being attacked. This could lead back to the sectarian violence that lasted more than three decades and claimed more than 3500 lives.
President-elect Biden tweeted back in September, saying, “Any trade deal between the US and UK must be contingent upon respect for the Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border.” One of Brexit’s main benefits was a trade deal with the US, so many are hoping that Boris Johnson will be able to strike up a trade deal with Brussels.
Adaora O., journalist
Lagos–A rallying cry emerges from the citizens of Nigeria as they march along the streets in protest of the Nigerian government and the police unit SARS that has been terrorizing citizens. This movement known on social media as #EndSARS has been gaining attention on social media and media from around the world. And it’s just getting started.
Continue reading “#EndSARS: The Fight for a Better Nigeria”
Nyma E., Global News Department Co-Editor
BANGKOK–Protests in Thailand have been escalating since they began on October 6. More violence has been breaking out between opposing groups, which has led to very grim consequences. Many believe that if violence and rioting ensue, the future of Thailand could be very dark.
Continue reading “Pro-Democracy Protests in Thailand Turn Violent”Arya S., journalist
The world has been crippled due to the coronavirus. With approximately 2.6 million cases and 180,000 deaths, social media has been even more chaotic than usual.
Continue reading “Fake news and the coronavirus”
By Alexandra Saffa-Hoethke, editor
Thu April 16, 2020
(GWUOHS) — Schools are dismissed, work is postponed, and doors are closed. As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads globally, another public crisis arises – domestic abuse. The intentions of the mandatory stay-at-home court orders and lockdowns work in the interest of public health; however, leave a vast majority in danger. Victims of physical, domestic, sexual, and psychological abuse are now trapped at home with their abusers. The mandatory regulations implemented worldwide aberrantly affect those who face domestic abuse and seclude them from outside resources that would ordinarily provide them relief and safety.
Continue reading “Closed Doors and Global Lockdowns Raise Domestic Violence Cases”Francesca R., journalist
As is common knowledge, COVID-19 was officially characterized as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Following this, emails and news stories announcing the cancellations of various performances, classes, and even the closing of studios as a whole flooded into artist’s inboxes. Before we all knew it, everyone’s calendar was emptier than a grocery store’s toilet paper aisle. However, rather than being excited and looking at this as an extended spring break, this brought about significant panic. Artists already get paid very little, would they be paid during this time? And as it is so difficult to “make it,” in a career in the art industry, every minute of practice is of the essence for students. How would they receive proper instruction and training? Fortunately, because of modern technology, continuity in training and a continuation of practice in the arts has been made possible.
Continue reading “Creating Art Together- Figuratively”
Hank T., journalist
Background:
On March 12, 2020 every Broadway show currently running was shut down by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. This was a response to stop the spread of COVID-19. Initially, the theaters were only supposed to be shut down until April 12. However, this date has been extended to June 7, the day the Tony Awards were supposed to be broadcast. Although this response is completely appropriate and helpful in stopping the spread of Coronavirus, it is leaving many people in the entertainment industry in need of money and supplies. So, many people with industry jobs are turning to an organization called The Actors Fund.
Continue reading “Art During an Epidemic”
Emre S., journalist
Ukrainian firefighters have reported a wild forest fire near the abandoned nuclear plant of Chernobyl. Radiation levels are considerably lower than they were after the 1986 accident but the radiation still poses risks. Now that the smoke is going up the levels of radiation are getting higher.
Continue reading “Chernobyl Wildfires Increase Radiation Levels”
Alexa W., journalist
In times of stress or uncertainty, most people tend to look toward humor as a coping mechanism. Such remains true of the response to the coronavirus which currently affects the entire world. Although making jokes and poking fun at the disease helps to lighten the mood and make the situation more bearable, it remains important to consider some of the more serious matters at hand amidst the pandemic.
Continue reading “A Look into the COVID-19 Effects on Refugees”
GW Chronicle of the Yawp 