The world last week: Leaving the past behind, looking towards the future

Closing the extraordinary election

It can be said that the 2020 US election has had too many unusual points. From the controversies that have lasted since the day voters nationwide voted in early November last year, the additional Senate race in Georgia on January 5 this year, until January 6 - the normal procedural session of the US Congress, which took place in a dramatic, even riotous manner. All have become extremely important events, attracting all public attention.

Unprecedented scene of horror at the US Capitol building. Photo: AP

Tens of thousands of President Donald Trump supporters from across the United States have flocked to downtown Washington and Capitol Hill to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's victory.turn into riotswhen a group of protesters clashed with police and stormed the Capitol building to disrupt the meeting of the Electoral College, forcing US police to blockade the buildings, evacuate congressmen, and use tear gas and non-lethal ammunition to disperse the crowd of protesters.

Witnessing the chaotic scene on Capitol Hill, many lawmakers from both parties, including former Trump aides, condemned: “What we saw today was illegal and unacceptable,” and encouraged Donald Trump to speak out to end this “madness.” Democratic leaders described the chaos as “shocking” and “disgraceful.”

The scene that stunned the world at Capitol Hill was the result of President Donald Trump's chants and incitement to the crowd of protesters. Faced with the risk of further riots sparked by Trump's posts, Twitter announced that it would permanently block his account. Meanwhile, Facebook announced that it would extend the ban on Trump's accounts, including Instagram, for at least two more weeks, until the transition of power is completed. Previously, Trump's account was locked for 24 hours for "using the platform to incite violence".

Capitol Hill witnessed the "darkest" scene in history when protesters stormed the Capitol building. Photo: EPA

Vice President Mike Pence's declaration as President of the Senate certifying the election results with Joe Biden's victory officially ended Donald Trump's legal efforts. Moreover, this unprecedented riot once again fueled calls for Trump's impeachment and renewed discussion about invoking the 25th Amendment.to impeach President Trump.

However, it can be said that President Trump's 3 years, 11 months, and 17 days in office have also left many marks on the American public and the world, with his "America First" policy, economic achievements, as well as statements that express his very own personality.

America's future under President Joe Bidenit won't be easy, as the new administration must make every effort to bring “America beautiful again”, preventing the trend towards a seriously divided America. The recent riots are a clear demonstration of that in the 4 years of Trump’s term, as well as the violent trend of the far right.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer speaks during a session to certify the results of the electoral vote at the US Capitol after the riots subsided on January 7. Photo: Reuters

Be careful of Covid-19

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that the current national lockdown could last until mid-February or the end of March. Accordingly, the government will be “extremely cautious” in lifting the lockdown and reopening schools. The main reason for this decision is said to be becauseNew variant detected in UKhas recently caused the infection rate in the UK to skyrocket.

In his announcement to the House of Commons about the re-imposition of a third lockdown, Prime Minister Johnson said that vaccination could progress quickly enough to allow restrictions to be eased “by mid-February, if everything goes well and smoothly”, while stressing that the lockdown could continue after that point if the Coronavirus remains a serious threat.

“It’s not that we expect the national lockdown to last until March 31, but rather to allow for a controlled and stable return,” Johnson said, adding that if vaccinations go according to plan and people comply with restrictions, there will be a “significant opportunity” to ease the lockdown at a review meeting on February 15 – a date he called “crucial”.

A corner of London on the first day of England's new lockdown. Photo: AP

Under the new lockdown, everyone is required to stay at home, except for one outing a day to exercise outdoors or buy essentials. All schools from primary to university level will be forced to close and move to online learning until at least February 15. Businesses are advised to close.

However, Prime Minister Johnson's plan has been opposed by 14 Conservative MPs - who warned that a return to lockdown would have "devastating economic consequences", and that some sections of the population who supported the current lockdown would soon "point the finger". Many MPs demanded that Mr Johnson make firm commitments to easing the lockdown once some parts of the population had been vaccinated.

The debate took place against a bleak backdrop of 1,041 cases.deaths from Covid-19reported in the last 24 hours - the highest level in the second wave of the pandemic. There were 62,322 new cases nationwide. According to estimates, the southeast of England now has 50% more people hospitalized with the virus than at the peak in April 2020. Across the rest of the country, hospital admissions are also rising every day. The grim milestone of 100,000 deaths from Covid-19 in the UK is said to be inevitable without a significant turnaround.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “This is a tragedy. It’s not bad luck. It’s not inevitable. The government has been too slow.” Many other analysts agree that the UK’s inconsistent response to the pandemic has cost the country. The government has always been one step behind the pandemic and seems to have been caught off guard. The best way to handle a crisis is to act first, even if that means making decisions that people don’t like. But Downing Street has consistently refused to face up and act before the worst actually happens.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces opposition from 14 Conservative MPs. Photo: AFP

Unlike the Conservatives, Labour MPs support the lockdown but ask the Prime Ministerlaunch vaccines on the marketon schedule. In addition, ministers need to provide a clear support package for the whole of 2021, not just until the spring, to help businesses of all sizes and sectors survive this difficult and “uncertain” year and prevent long-term economic damage. According to UK finance minister Rishi Sunak, the government has announced £4.6 billion ($6.2 billion) in new lockdown grants to support businesses.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed hope that the country would come together in the face of the new variant, and that the miracles of science would soon help the UK end the lockdown. “After the marathon of last year, we are really in a sprint – a race to vaccinate the most vulnerable, and every needle in every arm will make a difference,” the British Prime Minister said.