Office of the Prime Minister, Ethiopia, PDM-owner, via Wikimedia Commons

Summary:

• 9 anti-government groups in Ethiopia have announced their alliance as the “United Front of Ethiopian Federalist and Confederalist Forces”.
• This new agreement between opposition groups poses a major threat to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration.
• The Ethiopian government has been fighting rebels in Tigray for over a year, but recent advancements on Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and subsequent organization of opposition groups has put immense pressure on Abiy Ahmed’s regime.
• In light of recent events, Ethiopia’s government has declared a 6-month state of emergency allowing conscription of firearm owners above the age of 18.
• Government authorities are also urging former soldiers to re-join the military and aid in the battle against the opposition.
• The US embassy in Ethiopia has urged all US citizens to leave the country as soon as possible amid the “very fluid” security situation.

Sources:

• CNN
• BBC

Tweets:

Nicaragua’s Upcoming Elections Mired With Controversy and Oppression

• Nicaragua is set to hold presidential elections this Sunday, an event which will likely culminate in the re-election of President Daniel Ortega.
• Ortega spent the last few months tightening his control over the country, including arresting several opposition leaders and presidential hopefuls in a widely denounced campaign to ensure stability in the region.
• Several international officials and organizations have declared the election to be a sham which will deteriorate the foundations of democracy in South America.

Tweets:

Pfizer Pill 89% Effective For High Risk Cases 

• Paxlovid is an antiviral Covid medication intended for people who show Covid-19 symptoms and are at high risk of severe disease such as type II diabetes and obesity.
• The UK has ordered about 250,000 doses of the medicine which have not yet been approved.
• The Pfizer drug is meant to be consumed twice daily for five days. The medicine consists of a protease inhibitor which blocks the enzyme the virus uses to multiply when taken with the antiviral pill (Ritonavir). 

Tweet:

Russian Diplomat Found Dead Outside Embassy in Berlin 

• A Russian diplomat, aged 35, fell from an upper floor at the Russian Embassy Building in Berlin. 
• Reports confirm that the German foreign ministry is aware of the death but will not disclose any identification for the sake of privacy. 
• The Russian Embassy has not yet approved of an autopsy to explain why the diplomat fell or the actual cause of death. 

Election Results in Iraq Spark Violence

• Violent protests have erupted in the streets of Iraq following controversial Parliamentary election results.
• Pro-Iranian groups thrown stones at security officials who attempted to control crowds with tear gas. 
• Approximately 300 protestors marched through the streets; 27 civilians have died as a result of the violence and 98 security officials have been injured. 

COP26 Continues In Glasgow, UK 

• The largest gathering for the COP26 is taking place in Glasgow, UK where officials from 130 countries will come together to discuss the effects of global warming. 
• Swedish representative Greta Thunberg believes that the COP26 conference is a failure, claiming that  “We cannot solve a crisis by the same methods that got us into it in the first place.” 
• Ugandan Activist Vanessa told crowds of protestors that the world is finally heading towards a greener environment where “nature has been restored”. 

Tweet: