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Cover Story \\ UNLAWFUL
COVER STORY \\Â
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, Central London, Britain, 25 September 2019. On 24 September, the Supreme Court ruled that the suspension of parliament by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was unlawful. EPA-EFE/WILL OLIVER
THE WEEK THAT WAS... Jesmond Saliba This week saw a strengthened focus on climate change and the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook travelling business. Former French President Jacques Chirac passed away at 86, while Netanyahu was given a mandate to form a government but most of the attention was taken with the developments in the UK and the US. Once upon a time, the UK and the US share d the responsibility of being the global police force. They earned their role through their positioning on 'the right side of history' over the years. Over the years, their position was challenged and took a twist after the second Iraqi war, when the credibility of the US and the UK was challenged in view of doctored reports about the presence of weapons in Iraq. Although these challenges came from forces outside the two countries, few doubted the credibility of the strength and whenever a decision was taken, the link between the two was always given the relevant weight at the UN and other fora. Forward to 2019 and we have a situation where both leaders of the UK and the US are under fire in view of the developments which took place this week. The revelations by the whistleblower, which indicate that US President Trump has asked his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate Democrats's contender Biden's son triggered a process to seek the impeachment of the US President. In the UK, the Supreme Court found the decision to prorogue parliament as unlawful. This decision was the first of two which put the spotlight on the 'rightfulness' of the Boris Johnson. On Friday Johnson has been referred to a police watchdog over his alleged relationship with an American businesswoman when he was mayor of London. With these issues at home, their country's role and function in a global geopolitical scenario continues to be questioned and doubted. Various countries keep jockying for the 'leading' role in an evolving scenario which is continuously challenged by disruption. A week is indeed long, perhaps too long in today's world's geopolitical scenario.
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GLOBALISM UNDER ATTACK AS CLIMATE CHANGE MAKES ITS MARK AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY Matthew Bugeja New Yorkers are a tough crowd. If you ask them, they will say that nothing scares them - at least, not until the UN General Assembly is in session in September. Over 190 delegations fly into New York, with security arrangements causing traffic gridlock every year, with leaders taking this opportunity to outline their visions for their country, their region - and the world. This year, nationalist leaders, such as Donald Trump of the United States, Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey all highlighted the various ills they felt were facing their respective leadership. Often, they took the opportunity to hit out at domestic opposition and causes, whilst pushing a strong nationalist tone. One of President Trump’s remarks, particularly reminiscent of his previous addresses to the UN General Assembly, was poignant and highlights the divide in global cooperation: “If you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation. Wise leaders put the good of their own people and their own country first. The future does not belong to globalists. The future belongs to patriots. The future belongs to sovereign and independent nations, who protect their citizens, respect their neighbors and honor the differences that make each country special and unique.” His statement assumes that global leaders put the
interest of other nations first, putting that of their own country in a firm second. The entire premise of “globalism” is the notion that global cooperation has gone too far on issues such as trade, global governance rules and climate change, and that it was about time that more powers were returned back to national capitals. In truth, all elected national leaders do seek to put their country first in negotiations, even if not apparent to their electorate. Sometimes, they have to make compromises on issues which seem as though they’re going to cause immediate harm, but usually to obtain other concessions in the medium to long term. Horse trading 101. But what leaders like Trump underestimate, ignore, or are willfully ignorant of is that there are certain issues that require global cooperation.
CLIMATE CHANGE IS A REALITY Global trade and financial stability are two of these issues. Climate change is another. By now, many of us have heard of the young Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg, who has chastised global leaders in no uncertain terms in recent weeks for their inability to make any real progress on tackling climate change on a global scale. However, she has inspired many young people to conduct “school strikes” as she had done herself in order to raise awareness and demand action from their leaders on addressing an issue which over 95% of the scientific community agree is a real problem. In fact, the US military has published a report last year outlining the likely impact of climate change on US military bases around the world, with problems ranging from flooding to damages from unpredictable storms, which goes to show just how seriously this issue is taken. Climate change is a reality. There is little doubt that our reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainable global economic models which put economic growth above all other considerations does not necessarily lead to happier, healthier societies. Whilst some have attacked Greta for what they perceived to be her theatrical behaviour, and that she is being used as a puppet belies an underlying lack of knowledge on the manifestations of Asperger’s Syndrome, which now falls under the Autism Spectrum Disorder. My son is 4 years old, and has been diagnosed with the same condition. Rest assured, her blunt approach is not an act - it is how she truly feels. Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome have difficulties with social interactions and suffer from anxiety in social scenarios. But Greta has overcome these difficulties to have her voice heard on the highest stage possible. For that, she gives hope to parents like myself who want to see our children succeed and live a good life, and has sparked a renewed interest in the younger generation to tackle climate change. Global leaders may continue to focus on the immediate problems they face by going back to the ideologies of the mid-twentieth century - but the next generation seems highly motivated to push them out of the way, to tackle the problems of the future. I, for one, am glad.
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WHAT WAS THERE TO GAIN FROM THE IRANIAN ATTACK ON SAUDI OIL FACILITIES? Tonio Galea On September 14, the tension in the Persian Gulf reached alarming levels with an attack on two important oil facilities in Saudi Arabia - Abqaiq and Khurais. Officially, Houthi rebels in Yemen took responsibility for the attack but all fingers are pointing to Iran. The Islamic Republic is vehemently denying the accusation, even if with little success. The attacks were an eye opener and underscored the new reality that Saudi oil production is not immune to external geopolitical forces. Customers can no longer count on uninterrupted access to the country's oil exports. Saudi authorities announced that 18 drones and seven cruise missiles were fired at the targets. The attacks raised many questions about why Iran attacked Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure when it risks sparking a conflict more damaging than the sanctions it already faces. Analysts have also pointed out potential risks of undermining the necessary goodwill for a future deal. Other questions arise: Why was there only one strike at Saudi oil? It was small and successful, so why were there no follow-up or secondary strikes? Secondary strikes would have unleashed a war that would make both sides pay a heavy price without either coming out victorious, although this reason alone does not completely rule out the possibility. Some observers have interpreted the attacks as a message that Iran still has teeth in retaliation to the US pressure against them. This was a demonstration of strength without the intention of war, but with enough impact to expose Saudi Arabia’s vulnerability and gain an important bargaining chip in future negations. Amid all this, Iran is also ratcheting up its nuclear program. It is a high-risk gamble, reminiscent of the tactics often used by North Korea in the past when it wanted to bargain. A determining factor in the scenario is probably US President Donald Trump’s reluctance to go to war in Iran, or anywhere else. Iran doesn’t want to invade Saudi Arabia; it wants to establish a foothold in Yemen. But with Saudi Arabia doing all it can to oppose this and with US and international sanctions increasingly strangling the country’s economy, Tehran is looking for a way out.
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MAKING MIGRATION MANAGABLE Denise Grech Malta’s National Security Minister welcomed three other member states for a highlyanticipated summit on migration last week. The countries pushed for an agreement hoping others can step up to help with the crisis in the Mediterranean. The result of the meeting between Italy, Germany, France and Malta could be the impetus to healing wounds that have been left unattended since 2015. This was the year the European Council decided to set up a relocation scheme to alleviate the pressure from frontline Member States.Despite mandatory relocation being adopted by a majority in Council, it was never fully implemented – and resulted in a split between different countries. The deal agreed on last week proposed several forward-looking points which would ideally reduce the amount of standoffs that plagued the Mediterranean seas last summer. Crucially, it proposes having a list of EU ports which would be willing to take in those rescued at sea. Hopefully, this would radically reduce the amount of time countries spend negotiating behind closed doors. Currently, there is no clear path to what should be done every time a standoff takes place. This leaves countries like Malta scrambling to find other countries to help out when a stand-off takes place - leaving hundreds of people stuck in the process. The position paper tries to deal with this. It insists countries have to come forward and volunteer as places for disembarkation, and others have to step up to share the burden. Frontline countries have understandably grown frustrated with having to take in people when their resources cannot take the pressure. They’ve also grown weary of having to repeatedly re-negotiate with other countries.
" MAKING MIGRATION MANAGABLE Everyone knows this deal is long overdue – not only because of the ad-hoc nature of the agreements- but because Malta’s reception system is now incredibly strained.We are all tired of witnessing the obscene spectacle of hundreds of men, women and children stranded at sea for weeks. We are all tired of hearing of people hurting themselves because they do not know where they will end up.But people who are rescued are now also being unnecessarily detained, according to reports. Amnesty International said it was refused access to the Safi detention centre and the initial reception centre- but it didn’t provide an explanation as to why. The position paper agreed on last week was the result of cooperation between Italy, France, Germany and Malta. It cannot become permanent unless other EU member states approve it. Maybe this is not as far off as some would think – 15 EU member states agreed to participate in a voluntary solidarity mechanism last June. An ideal scenario would be for this deal to be agreed upon by 27 member states. This is highly unlikely, but Malta is reportedly pushing for momentum- and time is running out.
An ideal scenario would be for this deal to be agreed upon by 27 member states. This is highly unlikely, but Malta is reportedly pushing for momentum- and time is running out
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The Story \\ RESPECTFUL
Jacques Chirac's portrait is displayed as people sign condolence registers at the Elysee Presidential T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â APalace, following the death of former French president Jacques Chirac, in Paris, France, 27 September 2019. Chirac died peacefully surrounded by his family, aged 86. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
The Story \\ ACTING
T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â US President Donald J. Trump gestures while returning to the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 26 September 2019. Trump returns to the White House after spending several days in New York at the United Nations General Assembly. EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER
The Story \\ IMPEACHMENT
Speaker of the House from California Nancy Pelosi announces the House will begin a T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Democratic formal impeachment inquiry into US President Donald J. Trump in the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 24 September 2019. Speaker Pelosi faced increased pressure to begin an impeachment inquiry, with more democratic lawmakers saying they favor the move after whistleblower accusations against President Trump and his dealings with Ukraine. -EPA-EFE/JIM LO SCALZO
The Story \\ TENSION President Hassan Rouhani arrives to reporters during a press conference on the sidelines of T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Iran's the General Debate of the 74th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 26 September 2019. The annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations runs until 30 September 2019. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE
The Story \\ PROTESTING
T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Indonesian police officers shoot tear gas during clashes with students following a protest outside the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, 24 September 2019. Thousands of students staged protests across the country against new law that proposed change in its criminal code laws and weaken the country's anti-corruption commission. EPA-EFE/MAST IRHAM
The Story \\ MIGRATION
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, holds a photograph showing the body of Alan Kurdi, the T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Turkish three-year-old Syrian boy who drowned in September 2015 while crossing the Mediterranean sea with his refugee family, as he addresses the general debate of the 74th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 24 September 2019. EPA-EFE/JASON SZENES
The Story \\ ROYAL LOVE
Prince Harry (R), the Duke of Sussex, and Meghan (L), the Duchess of Sussex, kiss as they T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Britain's depart after a visit to Waves for Change, an NGO, at Monwabisi Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, 24 September 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on an official visit to South Africa. Waves for Change supports local surf mentors to provide mental health services to vulnerable young people living in under-resourced communities. EPA-EFE/HENK KRUGER / POOL
The Story \\ GONE
man walks past a Thomas Cook advertising board at Gatwick Airport in Sussex, England, Britain, 23 T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â ASeptember 2019. More than 600,000 vacation reservations were canceled on 23 September, after Thomas Cook ceased to operate. According to media reports, the company's collapse will see Britain's largest peace time repatriation take place to get stranded customers home. EPAEFE/VICKIE FLORES
The Story \\ FORCEFUL Thunberg, the 16-years-old climate activist from Sweden, addresses world leaders at the T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â PGreta start of the 2019 Climate Action Summit which is being held in advance of the General Debate of the General Assembly of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 23 September 2019. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE
The Story \\ STRIKE
students and activists take part in the Global Strike for Climate rally in Milan, Italy, 27 T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â School September 2019. Millions of people across the world are taking part in demonstrations demanding action on climate issues. The Global Climate Strike Week is held from 20 September to 27 September 2019. EPA-EFE/NICOLA MARFISI
The Story \\ STOP
Nakosi (L, bottom) of Fiji is tackled by Rodrigo Silva (L, top) and Felipe Berchesi (R) of Uuruguay T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Filipo during the Rugby World Cup match between Fiji and Uruguay in Kamaishi, Japan, 25 September 2019. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO
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The Story \\ MESSAGE
THE STORY \\Â
Activists set banners 'EU Get your Ships Together!' during a Ministerial Meeting on Migration at Fort St. Angelo in Vittoriosa, Malta, 23 September 2019. Interior ministers of Germany, France, Finland, Italy and Malta are to discuss a joint model on location of migrants and refugees rescued at sea. EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA
The Story \\ DISASTER
inspect a damaged road a day after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake, in Mirpur, Kashmir, Pakistan, T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â People 25 September 2019. According to reports at least 25 people have been killed and over 300 injured, after an earthquake hit Kashmir and areas in Punjab province in Pakistan on 24 September 2019. EPA-EFE/RAHAT DAR
The Story \\ SELFIE
THE STORY \\Â
President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele takes a selfie before speaking to the general debate of the 74th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 26 September 2019. EPA-EFE/JASON SZENES
The Story \\ LIFE
of project Marsonaut, Jan Lukacevic poses in front of cooler with hydroponic pots as he looks T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Head on flask with germinated strawberry in Prague, Czech Republic, 26 September 2019. EPAEFE/MARTIN DIVISEK
The Story \\ ATHELTIC
Konieczek of Poland in action during the women's 3,000m Steeplechase heats at the IAAF T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Alicja World Athletics Championships 2019 at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, 27 September 2019. EPA-EFE/SRDJAN SUKI
The Story \\ FIRE
Russian fishing trawler Bukhta Naezdnik burns in the harbour of Tromso, northern Norway, 25 T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â The September 2019. EPA-EFE/RUNE STOLTZ BERTINUSSEN
The Story \\ PERSPECTIVE
Julia Stierli (R) in action against Minks's Emueje Ogbiagbevha during the UEFA Champions T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Zurich's League soccer match round of the last 32, second leg, between FC Zurich and FC Minsk in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, September 26, 2019. EPA-EFE/WALTER BIERI
The Story \\ FASHION
model presents creations from the Spring/Summer 2020 Ready to Wear collection for Issey T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â AMiyake label brand during the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, 27 September 2019. The presentation of the Spring/Summer 2020 collections runs from 23 September to 1 October 2019. EPA-EFE/CAROLINE BLUMBERG
The Story \\ CAREFUL
worker takes a radiation control at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in Chernobyl, Ukraine, 25 T H E S T O R Y \ \ ASeptember 2019. EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO
The Story \\ CARRY ON
Soyuz booster rocket FG with Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad with a train T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â The at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, 23 September 2019. EPA-EFE/MAXIM SHIPENKOV
The Story \\ MANDATE
President Reuven Rivlin (R) hands a letter of appointment for entrusted with forming the T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â NIsraeli next government to Israeli Prime Minister and Chairman of the Likud Party Benjamin Netanyahu (L) at the President's residence in Jerusalem, Israel, 25 September 2019. EPA-EFE/ABIR SULTAN
The Story \\ LOCAL
Raoni Metuktire, a historic defender of the rights of indigenous peoples of the Amazon, T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â Cacique participates in an event held at the Congress, in Brasilia, Brazil, 25 September 2019, a day after the president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, before The General Assembly of the United Nations accused him of being 'used by foreign powers' who would pretend to take over that region. EPA-EFE/Joedson Alves
The Story \\ HUMOUR
Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) writes on Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Kloeckner's T H E S T O R Y \ \ Â German 'Angela Merkel Duck Doll' during a session of the German parliament 'Bundestag' in Berlin, Germany, 26 September 2019. Members of the Bundestag will debate on the Climate Protection Program 2030, among other topics. EPA-EFE/HAYOUNG JEON
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