GP Noteworthy News: What Happened in June 2020?

What happened in June 2020? For those clueless about what has happened in the month of May, let us summarise all of the noteworthy news!

Here are 16 of the key highlights, developments and stories that happened in June 2020!

What happened in June 2020, from 29/5/2020 to 5/6/2020?

Summary of Noteworthy News from 29/5/2020 to 5/6/2020?

1. Killing of unarmed, autistic Palestinian in Jerusalem sparks outrage

Israeli police ordered Eyad Al-Halaq to stop for a search when they spotted a “suspicious object that looked like a pistol.”

Spooked by the police, he began rushing away from them. The police officers then began chasing him before firing several rounds and ultimately killing him.

Israeli authorities have a history of using racial profiling and excessive force against Palestinians, specifically young men.

Al-Halaq’s untimely death has coincided with the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2. Spain approves national minimum income scheme

Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias announced the creation of a minimum income worth $733 a month will target some 2.5 million people.

The minimum income would increase with the number of family members, up to $1600 each month.

“Today this government is showing that its political choice is social justice and that it takes the Constitution seriously,” noted Pablo Iglesias.

3. Boris Johnson says 3 million people in Hong Kong will get path to British citizenship

This is in response to China’s new security law that critics say would rob the territory of its autonomy.

The security law will allow Beijing to launch a complete crackdown on free speech by preventing any criticism of the China’s ultra-authoritarian rule.

4. SpaceX sends NASA astronauts to space in historic mission

The launch is the first time that humans have been shot into space from US soil since the Space Shuttle programme ended in 2011.

It is also the first time taht humans have been sent into space by a private company.

SpaceX and NASA hailed the achievement as the beginning of a plan that should make space exploration and tourism far cheaper.

What happened in June 2020, from 13/6/2020 to 19/6/2020?

Summary of Noteworthy News from 13/6/2020 to 19/6/2020?

5. US may be violating international law in its response to protestors, UN expert says

Repeated violations of international law — in particular two principles when it comes to the use of force: necessity and proportionality.

Unfortunately, there is a global phenomenon of police misusing “less-lethal” weapons e.g. rubber bullets, tear gas, making their usage lethal.

Indiscriminatory firing of such weapons also amounts to a violation.

“That is particularly the case in the US because of the qualified immunity doctrine which is applied to police officers.”

The doctrine grants police officers immunity in cases of police brutality, excessive force and other civil rights violations.

Essentially, police officers can be absolved of their actions.

6. Twitter deletes over 170000 accounts tied to Chinese propaganda efforts

The accounts were spreading geopolitical narratives favorable to the Communist Party of China, pushing deceptive narratives about the political dynamics in Hong Kong and praising China’s efforts against COVID-19.

Twitter also shut down thousands of accounts tied to Russian and Turkish state-linked propaganda efforts. These accounts tweeted 40 million times.

7. ARMY matches BTS $1m donation to Black Lives Matter in 24 hours

The band has a history of raising their voice on social issues, and their influence over the years has resulted in the creation of a cohesive and powerful fandom.

ARMY and K-POP fans have gained attention and lots of praise for their support of Black Lives Matter, especially as they have taken over racist hashtags and police department apps with fancams.

Fans show that they have compassion, the power, and the drive to make a change.

8. Supertrawlers “making a mockery” of UK’s protected seas

Supertrawlers spent almost 3,000 hours fishing in UK marine protected areas (MPAs) in 2019, making “a mockery of the word ‘protected’,” according to campaigners.

Supertrawlers indiscriminately haul tonnes of marine animals — from sardines to dolphins and seals.

The Southern North Sea MPA was created to safeguard porpoises but have been threatened by supertrawlers. More than 1,000 porpoises died in fishing nets in 2019.

What happened in June 2020, from 20/6/2020 to 26/6/2020?

Summary of Noteworthy News from 20/6/2020 to 26/6/2020?

9. North Korea blows up joint liaison office with South in Kaesong

Tensions between North and South Korea have been escalating for weeks, prompted by defector groups in the South sending propaganda across the border.

The site was opened in 2018 to help the Koreas – still technically in war – to communicate.

It could be that Pyongyang is punishing Seoul for not challenging US’ insistence on continued sanctions.

Maybe a distraction from North’s economic malaise and rumours of COVID-19 in rural areas?

10. Violent Ladakh clash leaves 20 Indian soldiers dead, Chinese troops killed-injured

Both armies have been engaged in the standoff in Ladakh since May 5.

The two sides previously fought a bloody war over the demarcation of the border in the region in 1962.

Experts believe that geopolitical factors are at play with China taking on India.

  • India’s construction of military infrastructure in border areas where China has economic interests in
  • US-India relationship growing, US-China deterioriating
  • Repealing of Article 370

11. Zoom says China asked it to censor pro-democracy activists in US and it obeyed

China demanded Zoom to terminate four calls commemorating Tiananmen Square protests and its host acounnts.

The 1989 protests and resulting massacre is a seminal moment for advocates of democracy in China.

China is increasingly bringing its desire to control internet activities beyond its borders to control its citizens and corporations.

12. Researchers detail huge hack-for-hire campaigns against environmentalists

Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog group, noted that hacking campaigns specifically targeted climate-change organizations who were campaigning against Exxon Mobil.

Citizen Lab believes that it is the work of an Indian-based “ethical hacking” firm.

What happened in June 2020, from 27/6/2020 to 2/7/2020?

Summary of Noteworthy News from from 27/6/2020 t2/7/2020?

13. Ontario’s new math curriculum to introduce coding, personal finance starting in Grade 1

Ontario’s financial literacy curriculum includes teaching students the concepts of investing, interest rates, exchange rates, taxes and budgeting.

There is now more emphasis on a “back to basics” approach, as math scores were seen to be deteriorating.

This is a great leap in education as it helps to futureproof students.

However, Ontario’s opposition points out that adopting a new curriculum as early as this September is “completely irresponsible”.

This is because this might impose additional burdens on teachers and parents who are already struggling with teaching children from home.

14. Arctic records its hottest temperature ever

The small town of Verkhoyansk in Siberia reached 38 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature ever recorded in the Arctic circle.

Verkhoyansk is typically one of the coldest places on Earth, where it can reach as low as -50 degrees C.

The temperature matches what’s projected to be normal by the year 2100 if current trends in heat-trapping carbon emissions continue.

Arctic amplification has caused temperatures to rise twice as fast, which is leading to the decline of sea ice, and in some cases snow cover.

It’s actually quite insane to realise that the Arctic can reach temperatures seen in equatorial regions like Singapore

15. Colorado governor signs police accountability bill, ending qualified immunity defense in the state

What the bill covers:

  • Police can now be sued for misconduct
  • Banning of chokeholds and limiting of other methods of force
  • Prohibiting non-lethal weapons from being aimed at one’s head, back and pelvis
  • All police to be equipped with body cameras
  • Unedited footage to be released within 21 days of filing of misconduct

16. Almost 1 in 3 pilots in Pakistan have fake licenses, aviation minister say

Addressing Pakistan’s National Assembly, Ghulam Sarwar Khan said 262 pilots in the country “did not take the exam themselves” and had paid someone else to sit it on their behalf.

The results of the investigation were part of a preliminary report into a plane crash that killed 97 people in the southern city of Karachi on May 22.

“Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) acknowledges that fake licenses is not just a PIA issue but spread across the entire Pakistani airline industry,” adding that some of the fake pilots also fly for foreign carriers


These headlines can be found in our Instagram page as well! We update our followers every Friday about what has happened over the course of the week, as well as other content such as essay plans, techniques and videos!

Do follow us on Instagram and let us know your feedback, suggestions and ideas!