Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg makes waves at UN
Last month, 16-year-old Sweedish climate activist Greta Thunberg landed in New York after sailing across the Atlantic for two weeks. She came to the U.S. to attend the United Nations Climate Action Summit, and sailed on a zero emissions yacht to avoid the carbon emissions associated with a commercial jet. Thunberg has caused a stir in Europe by instigating climate protests amongst children her age and provoking those opposed to climate change prevention. Though not the only climate activist her age, Thunberg has become a public voice for the younger people engaged in climate protests.
Thunberg hasn’t taken long to catch the ear of American leaders. On Tuesday she told a Senate group tasked with climate policy, “Please save us your praise. We don’t want it.” She went on to tell them to not “invite us here to tell us how inspiring we are with- out doing anything about it.” Thunberg also testified in front of a subcommittee of the House Committee on foreign affairs. In response to her candidness on climate change policy, Thunberg has said she “was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, OCD and selective mutism,” and “that basically means I only speak when I think it’s necessary. Now is one of those moments.”
Saudi Arabia oil facilities attacked, Iran prime suspect
On Sept. 14, an attack was carried out by drones and cruise missiles against oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The attack had the potential to severely impact global oil production, as the targeted facilities are by far the largest producers in the nation. Immediately following the attack, President Trump announced on Twitter that Iran was a prime suspect, declaring that the United States was awaiting word from Saudi Arabia to determine what retaliatory actions would be taken. The accusations against Iran were in spite of Yemeni Houthi rebels claiming responsibility for the attack almost immediately, and the President’s words have been the subject of criticism given his apparent willingness to go to war at the request of Saudi Arabia.
On Sept. 18, Saudi investigators once again accused Iran of being behind the attacks, citing evidence in the form of debris allegedly recovered from the site of the attack. In response to this evidence, President Trump announced potentially strengthening sanctions against Iran, seeking to economically retaliate for the attacks rather than risk prolonged military engagement.
Liberal Democrats vow to cancel Brexit if they win general election
Britain could be facing new elections after the loss of a governing majority by the Conservative government, and this prospect is causing an escalation in rhetoric surrounding Brexit. Following an array of fumbled votes from Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government, Jo Swinson, the leader of the Liberal Democratic party in the U.K., has decided to emphasize reversing Brexit in the new party platform for upcoming elections. Although traditional proposals to prevent Brexit primarily entail an entirely new referendum, Liberal Dem MPs are seeking to revoke Article 50, a British law that dictates that Brexit must happen. This move is somewhat radical, as this would put a dead stop on present Brexit proceedings with no negotiation or moderation.
The party is seeking to capitalize on the disarray that has taken place over the last few weeks in Parliament regarding Brexit, attempting to represent those British citizens that are tired of the drama and uncertainty that has clouded negotiations. The current EU deadline is Oct. 31, and it is presently unclear whether or not Prime Minister John- son will be able to deliver his promised Brexit plan that will purportedly prevent massive economic crisis in the country.
