by KS
UNITED STATES: The American Rescue Act
After false starts and arguments, an Act to assist millions of Americans is finally on the verge of being activated.
All that is missing is a signature from U.S. President Joe Biden for the American Rescue Act to be put into action, with an overall price tag of roughly $1.9 trillion. It was not an easy road for the ARA to come to fruition. The measure took a reconciliation maneuver, which started the bill in the House, then to the Senate for changes, and then back to the House for another vote. In each case, the legislation passed in a Democratic led majority party line vote.
Of course, the reconciliation process led to the aforementioned changes. Most notably, a push by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to boost the U.S. minimum wage to $15 per hour was struck from the Act. Also, moderate Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) forced a hold on keeping unemployment checks at $300, instead of an increase to $400. Democrats could not lose his or any senator’s vote, as the bill would have been instantly defeated.
Here now are some more details of the ARA:
· Individuals making $75,000 / Couples making $150,000 or less with $1,400 stimulus checks
· Paid emergency leave for employees via a tax credit to employers
· A 15% increase in food stamp benefits
· A child tax credit worth $3,000 or more depending on a child’s age
· Another $7 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program
· $350 billion in assistance to local and state governments
· Money for COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, etc.
While many Americans are welcoming the imminent aid coming their way, most are concerned if the help could have come sooner had legislators prioritized it over the Trump impeachment proceedings.
EUROPE: Royal Pains
A seemingly routine interview has turned many heads on the status of one of the world’s most famed monarchies.
In a conversation with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle discussed various matters on their lives. However, while many expected it to be mostly about what they are up to now, it shifted into their treatment by The Royal Family. Needless to say, it was quite controversial.
Among the concerns addressed were questions about their son Archie’s skin tone, not getting a royal title, racism, and simple respect for their relationship. Meghan also discussed feeling at one point that she did not want to be alive, but people with The Royal Family not wanting her to seek treatment as it would look bad.
In response to the interview, Buckingham Palace released this statement:
“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
Meanwhile, in some kind news, Harry and a pregnant Meghan did announce that they were expecting a girl.
MIDDLE EAST: Pope Francis Visits Iraq
The visit by Pope Francis to the northern Iraqi city of Mosul at the weekend will be a symbol of hope and an opportunity to join forces for peace and unity, the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, said of his touchdown in the capital, Baghdad.
The Pope’s arrival in the Christian northern heartland, will come as a “message of peace and unity supported on a pillar of diversity,” UNESCO said.
“This message is at the core of our mandate, where inclusion and diversity are critical to understanding, mutual respect, and ultimately a more peaceful and just world,” it added.
Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on March 5, and traveled to Mosul two days later, where, according to media reports, he will pray for the victims of the conflict with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which has left thousands of civilians dead.
Special Adviser and Head of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD) Karim Khan, welcomed the historic visit of Pope Francis to Iraq, and the message it carries to all communities, “who have severely suffered from the atrocities perpetrated by ISIL.”
“The Pope’s visit to Iraq, his meetings with Iraqi religious leaders and the religious sites he is visiting carry a unifying message of peace and coexistence among all communities in Iraq, especially those who have suffered at the hands of ISIL from all faiths, including the Christian community,” said the Special Adviser, in a news release.
He added that “the fact that the Christians of Iraq will receive communion from the Holy Father in Iraq is a huge and momentous event. In particular, His Holiness’ visits to Mosul and Qaraqosh, and his prayer of sufferage for the victims of war at the Church square of Hosh al-Bieaa; one place that was ravaged by ISIL crimes, will obviously be a deeply personal moment for many of the Christian flock in Iraq. It will also underline that Iraq is enriched by people of all faiths – and from all ethnic groups – and that every life matters.”
The Special Adviser added that the pursuit of accountability in fair trials is crucial to achieving the healing and reconciliation that the Pope calls for.
UNESCO also noted that the visit to Mosul carries particular significance, as the city – one of the oldest in the world, and a cultural and religious center for centuries – suffered extensive damage during the occupation by ISIL extremists between 2014-2017.
ASIA: COVID-19 & North Korea
Disturbing reports have emerged from North Korea – aka the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – that people have starved or been executed because of COVID-19 restrictions, a leading rights expert said on March 10.
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Tomas Ojea Quintana, highlighted “deaths by starvation” linked to a “drastic” decline in trade and commerce, as well as an increase in the number of children and elderly people forced to beg.
Severe containment measures had also led to “a number of concerning consequences” that further isolate the country’s people from the outside world, Mr. Quintana said in a report to the Human Rights Council.
Although the country has no recorded cases of infection, the pandemic has worsened an already deteriorating economic situation in DPRK, the rights expert insisted.
Almost all humanitarian work has stopped as the country’s authorities have been effectively isolating their people from “social, political, economic” and even diplomatic engagements, including with the United Nations, Mr. Quintana told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Several cities had been locked down to prevent coronavirus transmission, while several individuals who were caught breaking anti-epidemic prevention measures were reportedly executed in public, he said.
This included a man in his fifties, in December 2020, was allegedly involved in illicit trade with China, along with a moneychanger who was allegedly executed in Pyongyang the same month.
