Sep 21, 2021 5 min read Daily Digests

NewsFix: Tuesday September 21, 2021

Morning all,

Hotel Rwanda’s hero jailed, big day for Boris and Biden, baby for Beatrice… and #BakeOff is back.

Until tomorrow,

Hilary

HOTEL RWANDA HERO JAILED

The former hotel manager who was portrayed as a hero in the movie ‘Hotel Rwanda,’ has been sentenced to 25 years after being convicted on terrorism charges. Paul Rusesabagina described his trial as a “sham” before a verdict was even given.

Background: In the years following the movie about the Rwandan genocide, Rusesabagina was widely celebrated as a hero and was living in the US. However, in recent years he has been critical of the country’s government and current president, Paul Kagame. For example, in 2018 he said “the time has come to use any means possible to bring about change in Rwanda”. Anyway, in August last year Rusesabagina claimed he was kidnapped from Dubai, who tricked him into a journey that ultimately led him back to Rwanda.

Don’t know much about the Rwandan genocide? In 1994, more than a million people were slaughtered in what has been described as “the bloodiest 100 days in human history”. Hutu militias targeted moderates and Tutsis, an ethnic minority, brutally butchering them with clubs and machetes. According to the UN, as many as 250,000 women were raped, with roughly 70% of them ending up HIV positive as a result.

Below is a fascinating podcast. While it originally aired in February, it provides fascinating context behind this story. Also, it is Irish journalist Declan Walsh - Chief Africa Correspondent for The New York Times - who is interviewed in the first half of this.

BROTHERS CONVICTED OF RAPE

In Ireland, two brothers have been convicted of the violent rape of a 17-year-old girl in a Wexford field in 2019. The brothers are now 16 and 19 years old, and cannot be named because one of them is underage.

What sentences did they receive? The 16-year-old was sentenced to five years detention, while RTÉ News reported his 19-year-old brother received a six-year prison sentence. The victim said she has been left with PTSD and developed anorexia following the rape.

BABY FOR BEATRICE

Princess Beatrice gave birth to her first child, a baby girl, on Saturday. The baby girl’s name has not yet been revealed. She is the Queen’s 12th great-grandchild, and 11th in line to throne. Beatrice’s husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, has a young son from a previous relationship.

theroyalfamily

A post shared by @theroyalfamily

PAIN IN THE GAS?

The lights won’t go out, the UK government has assured - but what is actually going on?

The British Government has declined to bailout energy companies, but are apparently looking into the possibility of lending money to other companies to help with the costs of taking on new customers.

Background:

Since January, there has been a 250% rise on wholesale gas and energy prices - 70% in August alone - because of a shortage in supply globally. In the UK, a cap on energy prices protects around 15 million households, but means some companies have gone out of business because they cannot afford the soaring wholesale prices.

As BBC Newspointed out, there is a fear there could be just 10 energy suppliers left in the UK by the end of this year - a sharp decline from the 70 that were in place in January.

Below is a really helpful explainer of what is going on.

ON TODAY’S AGENDA…

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) debate begins today in New York, with the leaders of member states descending on the city.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is expected to be the first to address the assembly today, as is tradition. The UN had called on heads of state attending the UNGA to be vaccinated, but acknowledged they cannot enforce it. Bolsonaro has not been jabbed, and considers himself immune given he tested positive for coronavirus last year.

Biden and Boris:Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to meet President Biden at the White House later today. It comes after newly-appointed Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, met with her US counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

What topics are most likely to be discussed? The Aukus defence pact, withdrawal from Afghanistan, the easing of the travel ban, trade, and likely climate change ahead of the upcoming COP 26 summit in Glasgow.

QUICK UPDATE

Canada’s Justin Trudeau appears to have won a third term in office, following Monday’s snap election. According to Al Jazeera, Trudeau’s party is expected to win the most seats in parliament, but fall short of the 170 seats needed for a majority.

Remember:

Trudeau called a snap election in the hopes of securing a Liberal majority in parliament. He could have waited another two years before having to call an election.

“Thirty-six days and C$610m ($476m; £348m) later, it looks like Canadians are right back where they started.” - BBC analysis

PANDEMIC

The US plans to end its travel banon those who are fully vaccinated from a number of countries, including EU members and the UK. CNBC reported a negative test within three days of departure will also be required.