Portal:Current events/2020 July 1

July 1, 2020 (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen; Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
- A Saudi-led coalition begins a military offensive against the Houthis, carrying out airstrikes against the capital Sanaa, as well as the provinces of Ma'rib, al-Jawf, al-Bayda, Hajjah and Saada. The local news describe the airstrikes as "violent" and reports scores of people injured. This is said to be the response to missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia from last week to last night. (Reuters)
Irapuato massacres
- Gunmen kill at least 24 people in a mass shooting at a drug rehabilitation center in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. (Reuters)
2020 Oromia Clashes
- An Ethiopian military crackdown on protests in Oromia Region leaves 81 protesters dead, while several prominent politicians, such as Jawar Mohammed, have been detained. The protests began following the death of Oromo musician Hachalu Hundessa. (BBC News)

Arts and culture

Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials, List of monuments and memorials removed during the George Floyd protests
- The monument of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson is removed from Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. (ABC News)
Weinstein effect, Fox News controversies
- Fox News fires America's Newsroom anchor Ed Henry following allegations of sexual misconduct by a former employee. (CNN)
The Finnish Air Force Command formally ends the use of the swastika in its imagery, according to the Air Force Command. However, the swastika will remain on some Air Force unit flags and decorations. (BBC News)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, responding to recent criticism about the lack of racial diversity among the nominees in major Oscar award categories, invites 819 people to become new members. Of the invitees, 49% are from outside the US, 45% are women, and 36% are non-white. (BBC News)

Health and environment

International relations

France–Turkey relations
- France suspends its involvement in NATO's naval operation in the Mediterranean Sea enforcing an arms embargo on Libya, following an investigation into an incident between French and Turkish warships. France accuses the Turkish Naval Forces of harassing its Courbet warship, while attempting to inspect a Turkish civilian vessel suspected of breaching the arms embargo. (Al Jazeera)
Hong Kong–United Kingdom relations, 2019–20 Hong Kong protests
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson says up to three million Hong Kong residents will be offered citizenship in the United Kingdom, following the passing of a controversial new national security law by China. Under the British government's plans, Hong Kongers will be able to settle in the UK for five years under political asylum, and after a further year will be able to apply for citizenship. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says there will be "no limits on numbers or quotas", due to the UK's "historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong". (BBC News)
Foreign relations of Taiwan, Foreign relations of Somaliland
- Taiwan announces it will mutually establish representative offices with the unrecognized breakaway state of Somaliland. While relations are not diplomatic at this point, further establishment of diplomatic relations would make Taiwan the first sovereign state to recognize Somaliland and the first new diplomatic ally that Taiwan has gained in 13 years. (Bloomberg News)

Law and crime

2019–20 Hong Kong protests
- Police in Hong Kong arrest over 300 people on the previously banned 1 July march and after the passing of the new national security law. The new law punishes crimes considered as subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. It also allows extradition to the Mainland for trial. (Reuters)
Censorship in Turkey
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vows tighter control over "immoral" social media following alleged insults to his daughter and son-in-law when they announced the birth of their fourth son on Twitter. Erdoğan specifically mentioned Twitter, YouTube and Netflix. Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu announced the arrest of a number of social media users for "insulting tweets". (Al Jazeera)
The Guardia di Finanza seizes over $1.2 billion (~€1 billion) worth of fenethylline tablets at a port in Salerno, Campania, Italy. It is believed that the amphetamines were manufactured by ISIL and originated in Syria. The haul, amounting to 14 metric tonnes of contraband, is the largest drug bust in history. (CNN)

Sports

After hospitalization in intensive care due to a sudden immune system disorder during a training camp in France, the situation of Dutch world champion short track speed skater Lara van Ruijven becomes critical. (NOS) (Telegraaf)

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