He’s still getting COVID?

Hi Global Recap readers,

You thought COVID was over?

"Hold my beer," says President Biden

But it wouldn’t be such big news if contracting COVID were the sole focus of this story. There are a few controversies surrounding this seemingly harmless story.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Many Controversies of Biden’s COVID Contraction

President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas. But this isn’t just another COVID case—there are some insane controversies.

Diagnosis and Symptoms

• Biden tested positive while traveling in Las Vegas.

• Symptoms include general malaise, runny nose, and non-productive cough, according to the President’s doctor.

Campaign Impact

• He was scheduled to speak at the UnidosUS event in Las Vegas on Wednesday but consequently canceled it.

• Instead, Biden has flown to his home in Delaware to self-isolate but will continue his duties.

Controversy 1

Critics of X are criticizing Biden for stating in his 2021 Presidential Town Hall meeting that getting vaccinated guarantees you won't get COVID.

• Despite being vaccinated and boosted, Biden is no stranger to contracting COVID.

Controversy 2

In his recent interview with BET News, President Biden stated that he would reconsider his reelection campaign only if a medical condition were to arise.

• Many are noting the peculiar timing of his COVID contraction and questioning whether he is preparing to step aside.

Controversy 3

Simultaneously with the @POTUS X account announcing his contraction of COVID, Biden's personal X account posted the above thread.

• It is referring to the news that Elon Musk is donating $45 million a month to a new pro-Trump PAC aimed at supporting Trump's election campaign.

• It’s very cheeky, but people are noting the hypocrisy, given that figures like Mark Zuckerberg and George Soros are prominent donors to the Democratic Party.

Controversy 4

Here, MSNBC's Joy Reid is equating Joe Biden surviving COVID to former President Trump surviving the assassination attempt on Saturday.

• Reid also called Trump’s survival as a “9-second photo op.”

🇵🇪 PERU
Rare Video of the Largest Uncontacted Tribe

Rare images of the Mashco Piro, an uncontacted Indigenous tribe in the Peruvian Amazon, have surfaced, showing them moving away from loggers.

Logging Impact

• Several logging companies have concessions in the Mashco Piro’s territory.

• One company, Canales Tahuamanu, has built over 200km of roads for timber extraction.

• These logging activities are causing these hunter-gatherers to construct temporary shelters away from their usual territory, as depicted in the video.

🇭🇰 HONG KONG
Journalist Fired Over Union Role

A Wall Street Journal reporter in Hong Kong, Selina Cheng, was fired after being elected to lead a press union amid a national security crackdown.

Cheng’s Dismissal

Cheng was terminated from her job covering China’s car sector after being elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA).

• Cheng was elected chair of HKJA on June 22.

• A day before the election, her London-based supervisor asked her to withdraw.

• The supervisor also asked her to quit the board.

• Her supervisor cited potential conflicts of interest as the reason.

HKJA Under Pressure

The HKJA has faced increasing pressure from authorities in recent years.

• Hong Kong officials and Beijing state media accused HKJA of siding with protesters during the 2019 anti-government demonstrations.

• The association has denied these accusations.

• HKJA was once seen as a symbol of Hong Kong’s personal freedoms.

Shrinking Press Freedoms

Critics have noted a decline in press freedoms in Hong Kong since the 2019 protests.

• Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong after the protests.

• Multiple news outlets have closed, and editors have been put on trial.

• Civil liberties have been widely cracked down upon, with many opposition figures facing trial.

Journal’s Response

The Wall Street Journal has made personnel changes and commented on the situation.

• The Journal confirmed personnel changes but did not comment on specific individuals.

• The Journal claims to be a strong advocate for press freedom globally.

• Cheng plans to continue leading the HKJA despite her dismissal.

Thoughts

Do you think the WSJ made the correct move?

Sure, if an employee doesn't follow the company's way of operating, they can be dismissed. However, isn't the press supposed to uphold freedom of the press, which is a fundamental principle of journalistic integrity (at least in the West)?

That said, while adhering to the laws of the country of operation is essential, when Western societies gradually compromise on ideals of freedom to appease authoritarian regimes like this, what will remain in the end?

🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA
Landmark Same-Sex Rights Ruling

South Korea’s Supreme Court has made a groundbreaking decision, recognizing the rights of same-sex couples to spousal state benefits.

Supreme Court Ruling

South Korea’s Supreme Court has affirmed the Seoul High Court's recent ruling, which grants spousal benefits to a same-sex couple.

• The case involved So Seong-wook and Kim Yong-min, who filed a lawsuit against the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in 2021 after it revoked their spousal benefits upon discovering they were both men.

• This is the first time a South Korean court has recognized the rights of a gay couple.

Chief Justice’s Statement

Chief Justice Jo Hee-de emphasized the importance of equality and human dignity.

• Jo stated that denying benefits based on sexual orientation is discriminatory.

• The decision highlights the right to pursue happiness and equality before the law.

• This means same-gender common-law spouses can now register as dependents on their partners’ health insurance.

Controversy

However, Same-sex marriage and civil unions are still not legally recognized in South Korea.

• Kim and So held a marriage ceremony in 2019 but lack legal recognition.

• So does this mean common-law marriage trumps legal marriage?

🇪🇺 EUROPEAN UNION
5 More Years of von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen has secured another five-year term as the European Commission President, ensuring stability and continuity for the EU’s top institution.

Reelection Results

Von der Leyen won the election with a significant margin, securing 401 votes out of the 361 needed.

• She received 401 votes in favor, 284 against, 15 abstentions, and 7 invalid votes.

• Her support came from the center-right European People’s Party, the Socialists, and the liberals of Renew.

Coalition Dynamics

Despite some internal opposition, von der Leyen managed to secure broad support.

• Some lawmakers within her coalition initially opposed her reelection.

• She sought additional support from outside her coalition, including the left-leaning Greens. She vowed to adhere to EU climate targets and implement a 90% greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2040.

Next Steps

With her reelection confirmed, von der Leyen will now focus on assembling her new European Commission.

• She has the backing of both the European Council and the European Parliament.

• The new Commission will be crucial in shaping the EU’s policies and direction for the next five years.

🇧🇩 BANGLADESH
Violent Student Protests Spark Internet Shutdown

Bangladesh is currently facing unrest due to violent student protests, which have led to the temporary suspension of mobile internet services.

Why is this consistently the go-to solution for handling protests?

Why Protest?

• Students are demanding the elimination of a 30% quota reserved for families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, claiming that it significantly hinders youths from securing jobs.

• The protests have resulted in at least six deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Government Response

Authorities have taken several measures to control the situation.

• The government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely.

• Mobile internet services have been suspended for “security” reasons.

• Riot police and the Border Guard paramilitary force have been deployed to university campuses.

• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised a judicial panel to investigate the deaths.

Future Actions

The government is urging patience as it navigates the crisis.

• Prime Minister Hasina has asked students to wait for the Supreme Court’s decision on August 7 regarding the quota system.

• The government is appealing a High Court decision that ordered the reinstatement of the 30% quota.