Monday, January 30

The most important foreign affairs events of the week

January 23, 2023

“Since the United Kingdom decided to leave the European Union (2021), more than three hundred thousand workers from eastern Europe have left the country. Consequently, the food and farming sectors now struggle with a shortfall of workers, as Brexit ended the ability of the bloc’s citizens to automatically work in Britain. For years, east Europeans represented a source for less-skilled jobs, including transportation, retail and hospitality. Now, these sectors register losses, especially the farming industry, which had suffered crop losses and had to cut back production.”

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The noun shortfall means “a failure to attain a specified amount or level; the amount by which a supply falls short of expectation, need, or demand.” Close synonyms are “shortage”, “default”, “deficit”, and “deficiency”.

The noun retail means “the sale of goods or commodities in small quantities directly to consumers.”

January 24, 2023

“As Ukraine burns through its artillery shells in the effort to contain Russia’s invasion, the United States is increasing production by 500%. The US defense industrial base is pushing conventional ammunition production to levels not seen since the Korean War. The Army’s decision to expand its artillery production is also the clearest sign yet that the United States plans to back Ukraine no matter how long the war continues. These weapons are most likely responsible for the greatest percentage of war casualties, which US officials have estimated at more than 100,000 on each side.”

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We highlighted a preposition rule that we worked with this Friday. If you missed it, click here to read it.

January 25, 2023

“After being provoked by the Netherlands, the European court of human rights (ECHR) ruled that it could proceed with a case against Russia for violations of the European convention on human rights in relation to the downing of flight MH17. The court argued that Russia had effective control over separatist areas in eastern Ukraine from 11 May 2014 until at least 26 January 2022 (when the admissibility hearing in the case took place). The ECHR also said the fact that Russia ceased to be a party to the European convention on human rights in September was irrelevant.”

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In this context, the transitive verb rule means “to decide or declare authoritatively or judicially; decree.” Close synonyms are “decide”, “settle”, and “resolve”.

The noun admissibility is a legal concept derived from the adjective admissible. It means “acceptability by virtue of being admissible.”

January 26, 2023

“According to a study published in Science Magazine, fires, land conversion, logging and water shortages have weakened the resilience of more than a third of the Amazon rainforest. This area is now drier, more flammable and more vulnerable than before, prompting the authors to warn of ‘megafires’ in the future. Between 5.5% and 38% of what is left of the world’s biggest tropical forest is also less able to regulate the climate, generate rainfall, store carbon, provide a habitat to other species, offer a livelihood to local people, and sustain itself as a viable ecosystem, the paper observes.”

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The noun logging means “the work or business of felling (cutting down) and trimming trees and transporting the logs to a mill; the process, work, or business of cutting down trees and transporting the timber (logs) to sawmills.”

* Note: logging is not to be confused with deforestation. Logging  is a legal practice of cutting down trees to be sold on the market in various sectors; whereas deforestation is the removal of trees and vegetation for another industry (i.e. agriculture/cattle raising, urban expansion, etc.).

The noun livelihood means “a means of supporting one's existence, especially financially or vocationally; means of support; subsistence.” Close synonyms are “occupation”, “means”, and “subsistence”.

January 27, 2023

“United Arab Emirates, France, and China call for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting to give an answer to the escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. After a deadly raid in Jenin refugee camp, the Israeli government launched multiple air attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip, which is one of the most densely populated areas in the world with 2.1 million residents. The attack followed after two rockets were fired towards Israel. the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said on Twitter he was ‘deeply alarmed’ and ‘saddened’ by the violence and that he was engaged with Israeli and Palestinian authorities to ‘de-escalate tensions, restore calm and avoid further conflict’.”

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The intransitive verb escalation means “to increase in intensity, extent, or amount.” There is a bad connotation to this term; therefore, you should use it when writing about violence, aggression, or war.

The noun raid means “a surprise attack by a small armed force; a sudden forcible entry into a place by police or military special forces.” Close synonyms are “irruption”, “attack”, and “inroad”.