NewsFix: Monday September 20, 2021
Morning all,
Pacquiao enters the ring, President Putin celebrates an expected win, while Trudeau’s hold on power looks… a little thin.
Until tomorrow,
Hilary
LET’S CATCH UP
In Russia, President Putin’s United Russia party won the election - as expected. However, while the party has maintained its clear majority, it did lose around a fifth of support in comparison to 2016 results.
There were widespread reports of election fraud, “ballot stuffing and forced voting”.
Martin Bashiris facing more criticism, after it emerged the former BBC journalist borrowed and then lost the clothes of a murdered girl for a planned documentary in the 1990s. Bashir - who was widely condemned for his approach in securing the infamous interview with Diana - borrowed the clothing of Karen Hadaway, a nine-year-old who was strangled and sexually assaulted in 1986.
How did the BBC respond? A statement said the broadcaster was “extremely sorry” over what happened, and “appalled” that Karen’s clothing was lost.
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao confirmed he will run for president in next year’s election.
Remember: The country’s current and controversial president, Rodrigo Duterte, can only serve one six-year term under the constitution. He is now running for vice president next year, a move many view as an attempt to retain power. Pacquiao is not supportive of Duterte’s bid for VP.
The Emmy Awards were held on Sunday. The Crown was a big winner, but it was noted “no actors of colour win”. The Guardian described the event as a “normal ceremony that celebrated diversity yet handed all the acting awards to white performers”.
Also worth noting: It was a big night for streaming services, Netflix in particular.
ON TODAY’S AGENDA…
- Canada is going to the polls today. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a snap election in mid-August in the hope his Liberal Party could secure a majority. However, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole has emerged as a contender, tying first place in recent polls. The three main issues for Canadian voters in this election are household budgets, the environment and healthcare.
- Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin will visit New York’s recently-appointed governor, Kathy Hochul, today during his visit to the US. Many world leaders are in New York for the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF GABBY PETITO
A post shared by @petitojoseph
A body matching the description of 22-year-old Gabby Petito - who was reported missing earlier this month - has been found in Wyoming.
Background to this case: Petito was on a trip around the country with her partner, Brian Laundrie. In early September, he returned to Florida without Petito, and refused to speak to authorities. He is now considered “missing”.
Weeks before Petito went missing, police footage shows they questioned a distressed Petito and Laundrie over a domestic altercation.
A video on social media - allegedly showing Petito and Laundrie’s van in dash cam footage - went viral over the weekend. It is the same area where a body “consistent” with the description of Petito was found on Sunday.
MOST READ
- BBC News: Body matching missing Gabby Petito found in Wyoming
- The Guardian: Spanish Canary Island volcano erupts, sending lava streaming towards villages
- The Financial Times: Australia and France intensify war of words over cancelled submarine deal
- Al Jazeera: Can we live with Covid-19? Singapore tries to blaze a path
- The Irish Times:Small protest takes place outside home of Leo Varadkar
PANDEMIC
- Statistics: More than 70% of the world’s coronavirus vaccines have been administered in just ten countries, according to the World Health Organisation.
Today in Ireland, employers begin a phased return to office working for some employees for “specific business requirements”.RTÉ News reported “tens of thousands” of employees would return today.
Meanwhile, more than 90% of Ireland’s adult population are now fully vaccinated. It represents the “highest uptake in the EU,” according to the CEO of the country’s Health Service Executive.
- Boxer Amir Khan was removed from an American Airlines flight over an alleged row about face coverings.
- In the US, a tribute has been created for the more than 670,000 Americans who have died from coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
CLIMATE COVERAGE
A volcano eruption on the Canary Island of La Palma has led to the evacuation of at least 5,000 people. It is the first time the volcano has erupted in 50 years.
BBC News reported Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, has arrived on the island, and delayed his scheduled departure to New York for the UN General Assembly.
TODAY MARKS…
Today marks ten years since the US military stopped the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy - allowing openly gay men and women to serve. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was introduced in 1994 and prohibited discrimination against closeted homosexual and bisexual members. However, the “discriminatory” policy also barred openly homosexual or bisexual individuals from service.
Here is a link to President Obama’s statement ten years ago.
- Today also marks 20 years since President Bush declared a “War on Terror” during an address to Congress. A response to the 9/11 attacks, the War on Terror led to US-led military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
ON A NICER NOTE…
Over the weekend, two beloved British figures passed away - former footballer Jimmy Greaves, and actor John Challis who played Boycie on Only Fools and Horses. Below are insights into their magic.
Gary Lineker described Greaves as “quite possibly the greatest striker this country has ever produced” and a “giant of the sport”.
Cheers, Boycie.