What Happened (11/02/2022)

...in the world this week

Protests against vaccine mandates reach new heights

Protests against the mandate for Canadian truckers to be vaccinated against Covid-19 have now been ongoing for almost two weeks. Initially in response to a government mandate that required truckers to quarantine for two weeks after crossing the US-Canada border if they were unvaccinated, protests that have blocked off large parts of Ottawa have caused major disruption and grown to encompass a swathe of covid-related grievances from the general public. Police have described the situation as a ‘siege’ and the mayor of Ottawa has declared a state of emergency. As many as 10,000 protesters were reported at the peak last weekend.

Refugees still stranded at EU’s eastern border

The situation at the Poland-Belarus border, covered by global newspapers near the end of last year and first addressed by Felix in November, is still ongoing. Syrian and Afghani refugees enticed to Belarus with the prospect of easy visas and a free passage to Europe came in their droves to the eastern frontier of the EU. Reports of Belarusian border guards cutting holes in the fence and encouraging refugees through were common, as were those of violent pushbacks by Polish border guards. This has resulted in hundreds of refugees stranded in a no-man’s land where they are exposed to sub-zero temperatures with next to no aid. At least 19 people have died

Baby shot by coastguard in “self defence”

The coastguard of Trinidad and Tobago shot and killed a baby whilst injuring its mother last Saturday. The coastguard vessel was attempting to intercept a boat containing suspected migrants when they say it tried to ram them. According to the coastguard, the crew “fear[ed] for their lives” and opened fire on the ship, apparently trying to hit its engines. Upon boarding the vessel, they found the mother bleeding and baby unresponsive. It is unclear how the use of deadly force on a boat suspected of containing migrants would be justified in any situation.

Refugees drown in attempt to escape Zimbabwe

Economic turmoil and a void of government support are leading to hundreds of Zimbabweans to attempt to leave their home country for South Africa. South Africa hosts a far more stable economy, and Zimbabwe’s desperate conditions have led many to risk police brutality, deportation, and even crocodiles in their attempts to settle across the Limpopo river. The Guardian reports that bribing the police is guaranteed for those who try to take the road, and at least three people having drowned trying to swim across the river rather than pay. The former route’s choke point occurs at the border checkpoint on Alfred Beit Road Bridge, named after the brother of Otto Beit, for whom Beit Hall at Imperial College is named.

...in this issue's year (1792)

Japan

The Unzen earthquake and resulting megatsunami result in the death of roughly 15,000 people

The United States

The United States Mint is formed, following the passing of the coinage act

England

Mary Wollstonecraft publishes A vindication of the rights of woman, one of the earliest pieces of feminist literature

France

The French Revolutionary Wars begin eventually leading France to come into conflict with Austria, Prussia, and Britain. Prussia declares war on France.

Tibet

The Sino-Nepalese war ends. Chinese forces invade Nepal in reponse to Nepal's subjugation of Tibet, leading to a "stalemate" and Nepal accepting Chinese terms going forward.