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Re-election of the controversial Peace Prize and discovery of two new mammals. The world did not stand still despite the United States electing a new president.
The Petauroides volangs species, known as the “greater glider” in Australia, has now been divided into three different species. Photo: Carly Starr / Wikimedia Commons
While the spread of the crown increased in Europe and Norway, and the average Norwegian disputed the distribution of parties among the postal votes in American counties, a number of issues went unnoticed by most people.
Here are some of the news that have been overshadowed by the US elections and the crown pandemic in recent weeks:
1. Against the reelection of the controversial leader in Myanmar
The Republic of Southeast Asia is governed by Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. The head of government has had to defend the country’s practice against the Rohingya Muslim minority in the country, following charges of genocide. In 2017, around 750,000 Rohingya fled to neighboring Bangladesh.
However, the election results look positive for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
On Monday, they declared that they have enough votes to form a government, Reuters news agency reports. An official announcement is still awaited.
NLD supporters are awaiting the result of the vote count in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. Photo: Shwe Paw Mya Tin / Reuters / NTB
“The results are better than expected,” NLD spokeswoman Monywa Aung Shin told Reuters.
The news agency writes that, in contrast to the resounding victory in 2015, this year’s elections are marked by unrest from the pandemic, economic recessions and escalating ethnic conflicts in Myanmar.
The Rohingya have not been given the opportunity to vote. The Party for Democracy and Human Rights, which represents them, says in a statement that they are “very disappointed” to have to look at the elections from the sidelines.
Election officials say voting in conflict zones had to be canceled for security reasons and that only citizens can vote. Most Rohingya do not consider themselves citizens of Myanmar.
2. The EU with a “historic” agreement
The European Parliament and the European Commission have agreed on how the EU can punish violations of the rule of law.
Countries like Hungary and Poland have created headaches in Brussels in recent years, with measures such as “LGBT-free” zones, restrictions on judicial independence and measures that are described as authoritarian.
Demonstrations against homophobia in Warsaw, Poland, since August this year. Photo: Czarek Sokolowski / AP
In 2018, the European Commission started working to find a way to punish countries that violate the core values of the EU.
The new mechanism may cut support for countries that do not respect the rule of law, writes Politico.
Countries like the Netherlands and Sweden have argued that if their taxpayers’ money is to contribute to development programs in other parts of the EU, legal certainty must be ensured in these countries.
A qualified majority must be able to stop money transfers from common coffers to countries that violate the rule of law and democratic principles.
It is discussed how easy it will be to use the preliminary agreement. It is expected to receive a lukewarm reception in Hungary and Poland, calling it “ideologically justified”.
Although most member states can overrule these countries in the EU Council, the two have threatened to oppose the budget work that will start the economy after the pandemic. Hungary and Poland are among the main recipients of financial aid from the EU.
3. Modify the Pinochet Constitution
The demonstrations in Chile gradually accumulated over a year, both in assistance and in demands for change. In late October, they ended in a referendum on the replacement of the constitution approved by dictator Augusto Pinochet during the military dictatorship.
78 percent voted for a new constitution in the South American republic.
A newspaper with the people’s verdict on the constitution adopted under the military dictatorship: 78 percent want a new one. Photo: Esteban Felix / AP
– Until now, the constitution has divided us. Starting today, we must work together so that the new constitution becomes a home for all, said President Sebastián Piñera when the result was clear.
4. Two new mammals discovered in Australia
Australia has become home to two new species.
Petauroides volangs, this cat-sized mammal, has split into two more species: Petauroides minor and Petauroides armillatus. Photo: Carly Starr / Wikimedia Commons
– What they have done is divide the old species into wood, says zoologist Petter Bøckman at the Museum of Natural History.
The species of which he speaks is the Australian mammal Petauroides volangs, known in its country of origin as Greater glider.
– Here they have used DNA to investigate, having seen that some are clearly smaller as adults, regardless of gender, explains Bøckman.
During the day, they usually stay in hollow tree trunks. At night they are active, like most mammals, says Petter Bøckman. Photo: Stig B. Hansen
In order to be distinguished in different species, the different groups must be reproductively isolated from each other. These three species can live in the same hollow tree trunk, but they do not mate with each other.
– One reason this discovery may have taken so long is that they differ greatly from each other with different smells. Humans are a very sight-focused species, not very focused on smell, says the zoologist.
The species is considered one of the largest gliders in the world. It was deemed vulnerable even before last year’s wildfires burned a third of habitats, writes The Guardian.
– They can climb like a squirrel, jump from branch to branch, in addition to having a fold of skin between the back and front legs. This turns off like a screen, so they fly like a paper airplane, says a Bøckman enthusiast.
5. Can the Norwegian Constitution stop oil extraction?
Finally, we include a drama that has reached the Supreme Court here at home, after two losses in a row in lower courts:
The highest court in the country will decide whether the Constitution can slow down the extraction of Norwegian oil. Monday is the fourth day in court.
An ice balloon stands outside the courtrooms in Oslo. Photo: Borgen, Ørn
Both the district court and the court of appeal acquitted the state, which is being sued by Greenpeace and Natur og Ungdom.
In the Supreme Court, it is considered in full, since it is considered a matter of particular principle.
Environmental organizations have now finished their top job. The state makes its keynote address Monday through Thursday.
The dispute concerns Section 112 of the Constitution, called the Environmental Section of the Constitution. It affirms that everyone has the right to an environment that guarantees health. It had never been tried in court before.
Environmental organizations believe that new oil drilling is contrary to this law. They can be inspired by a ruling by the Supreme Court of the Netherlands last year, which declared that the authorities have a legal obligation to prevent climate change. The Netherlands must reduce its emissions by 25 percent from the 1990 level after the ruling.
