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As May unfolded, numerous nations began cautiously reopening their economies, allowing millions to return to their jobs. A renewed sense of optimism emerged, although some still express concerns about rushing back to normalcy too soon.
In the midst of the chaos that 2020 has brought, there are still positive aspects to focus on. While much of the attention has been on the pandemic, other significant events have unfolded across the globe.
This past week brought about numerous developments worldwide, with the ten most notable stories being a mix of inspiring, unsettling, and downright bizarre.
10. California’s Zero-Bail Policy Causes Problems
Before California’s Zero-Bail policy was enacted, individuals often found themselves stuck in jail for long periods because they couldn’t afford bail while awaiting trial. Given the numbers, it's clear that tens of thousands of people were incarcerated pre-trial for months. While the law was passed with good intentions, its unintended consequences became evident this week.
On Sunday, 24-year-old Dijon Landrum was arrested three times in a span of 12 hours, with each arrest followed by his release. His first arrest occurred at 8:30 am while attempting to break into a car. Though found with narcotics, he was released under the new law. Just an hour later, around 2:20 pm, he was caught with stolen goods and was released again. At about 9:00 pm, he was arrested for a third time after stealing a vehicle.
A spokesperson for the local police department commented, “Due to the California Zero-Bail Policy, Landrum was released after his third citation of the day.” As expected, the policy has led to an increase in repeat offenses across the state. For more on unexpected consequences, check out 10 Decisions With Bizarrely Unexpected Consequences.
9. Banksy Pays Tribute to NHS Workers
Once again, Banksy has stunned the world with a new piece, which deviates from his usual style. The artwork shows a young boy in overalls, with a doll flying through the air like Superman. The doll isn’t a superhero like Spider-Man or Batman; it’s a nurse from the National Health Service, wearing a mask and cape. The symbolism is clear: the nurse has replaced the boy’s former heroes, who now lie discarded in the trash next to him.
The artwork made its unexpected debut at Southampton General Hospital, where it will remain until the fall, when it will be auctioned to raise funds for the NHS. Accompanying the piece was a message from the artist, which read, “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.”
Paula Head, CEO of the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, expressed in a statement, “Our hospital family has been deeply affected by the tragic loss of dear colleagues and friends. The fact that Banksy has chosen us to honor the incredible contributions made by everyone in and associated with the NHS during these unprecedented times is an immense privilege.” For more on this elusive artist, check out Top 10 Interesting Stories About Banksy.
8. A UK Artist Stockpiles PPE and Refuses to Share It
Becca Brown, a 35-year-old administrative assistant and part-time artist, has become infamous online after gaining attention for her disaster preparedness in the UK’s response to a viral outbreak. She has stockpiled over £2,500 (around $3,085) worth of rare medical supplies and refuses to share any of it. Brown went into debt to buy surgical masks, military face masks, coveralls, face shields, shoe covers, hand sanitizer, surgical gloves, and other PPE, along with food, medicine, and first aid kits to prepare for the coronavirus.
While Brown has been criticized for her hoarding, the backlash isn’t over the unnecessary nature of her purchases; instead, it’s because she’s keeping everything for herself. “Friends suggested I donate them to the NHS, but I won’t – they should have been more prepared.” Rather than donating, she’s using the PPE as canvases for her art. “I need every single mask, face shield, gown, sanitizer, and other items I’ve gathered. I make no apology because, as an artist, I must stand by my work and my right to buy what I want.” Could it be time to rethink giving artists a free pass? This list might suggest so: Top 10 Crazy Pieces Of Art Made From Bodily Fluids.
7. Kim Jong-Un Makes a Comeback… Or So They Say…
For weeks, the media speculated on the whereabouts of North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-Un. Some reports claimed he had passed away or was in a vegetative state after a failed surgery, while others suggested he was relaxing in a luxurious villa. The mystery surrounding his fate persisted until state-run North Korean media reported his reappearance at a fertilizer factory on Saturday, confirming he was alive and well.
North Korean state media released a photo and video showing Kim attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the factory, putting an end to rumors of his illness or death. The footage, taken on May 1st, showed a healthy and active Kim. The news was accompanied by a statement from South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which read, “The unfounded rumors about North Korea have caused unnecessary confusion and costs to the economy, security, and society.”
While Kim’s return suggests that he is mentally and physically well, his three-week absence prior to the ribbon-cutting remains unexplained. But then again, bizarre occurrences from North Korea are hardly new, right? Check out Top 10 Kim Jong-Un Crazy Rumors.
6. Asian Murder Hornets Are Real And They've Arrived In The USA
If you’ve heard the phrase “Asian Murder Hornet” this past week and imagined a massive hornet unlike anything seen before in the West, you're not far off. It was reported that the Asian Giant Hornet has been spotted in the United States for the first time. While their media-given name (in sharp contrast to the media's framing of the “Chinese coronavirus”) may suggest these creatures will kill humans, that’s not the case. These insects prefer honeybees as their main target, and that’s a much bigger issue than many realize.
Bee populations in the United States have been in decline due to Colony Collapse Disorder, mites, and harmful pesticides. Since bees are responsible for pollinating a majority of our crops, their loss could lead to a collapse in food production, possibly resulting in widespread famine. Introducing a deadly enemy to the honeybees only complicates efforts to protect them. These so-called “Murder Hornets” are massive, with queens growing up to 2 inches long. They can wipe out a beehive in mere hours.
A sting from one of these hornets will cause immense pain, and unlike bees, they can sting repeatedly. So, if you spot one, steer clear. Thankfully, they have only been found in a few locations and haven’t spread across the entire country. Evidence of their presence includes destroyed hives and a handful of identified individuals. If you’re fascinated by stories of monstrous creatures, you might want to follow this with 10 Horrifying True Stories Of Murderous Wasps And Bees.
5. Taika Waititi to Direct New Star Wars Movie
On May The 4th Be With You, Disney delighted Star Wars fans by releasing *The Rise of Skywalker* on Disney+ months ahead of its original digital debut. But that wasn’t all the exciting news from Disney's Star Wars universe. The studio also announced that Taika Waititi would be directing an upcoming film. Many have come to know Waititi through his Academy Award win for Best Adapted Screenplay for *Jojo Rabbit* (trailer above). He also directed *Thor: Ragnarok* in 2017 and an episode of *The Mandalorian*, for which he voiced one of the characters.
Lucasfilm made the big announcement on May 4th, revealing that Taika Waititi will direct a new, untitled Star Wars movie. He’ll co-write the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, who recently earned widespread acclaim for her work on *1917*. As expected, no further details about the film have been disclosed, including its place within the Star Wars timeline, its cast, or a release date. However, fans were thrilled to hear that Waititi would be leading this new project, especially given his passion for the Star Wars universe, which was evident in his work on *The Mandalorian*. If you're bursting with excitement over this announcement, check out *Top 10 ‘Star Wars’ Background Characters You Never Even Noticed* for a fun dive into the galaxy.
4. The US Supreme Court Witnessed The ‘Flush Heard Around The World’
This week, for the first time in history, the United States Supreme Court held arguments remotely, allowing the public to listen in live. While this momentous change in procedure was noteworthy in itself, the real headline-grabbing event wasn’t the case discussions—it was the sound of a toilet flushing that was heard shortly after the arguments began on Wednesday. It wasn’t an error in the arguments, but rather a reminder of the human aspect behind the virtual setting.
3. Is China Preparing For War?
The so-called “Wuhan Flu” has done more damage to China’s global reputation than any other event since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, in which pro-democracy protesters were killed in the streets. China faces widespread criticism for various issues, including human rights violations, religious discrimination, its aggressive stance on Taiwan, island construction in the Pacific, and anti-democratic actions. However, the coronavirus crisis may be the final blow in how the world views the country.
A Reuters article this week revealed that China’s President Xi Jinping was presented with a dire ‘worst-case scenario’ concerning the increasing anti-China sentiment. This scenario included the possibility of an all-out war with the United States.
According to an insider, this report was seen by some members of the Chinese intelligence community as China’s equivalent of the “Novikov Telegram,” a 1946 communication from Soviet ambassador to Washington, Nikolai Novikov, which warned of the United States’ post-World War Two economic and military ambitions.
The Trump Administration has been highly critical of China’s handling of the outbreak and its refusal to allow independent investigations. While a direct war between the two nations seems unlikely, it’s crucial to note that China hasn’t dismissed the possibility entirely. Well, this just adds to the growing list of *Top 10 Creepy Things Happening Inside China*.
2. Mueller’s Case Against General Flynn Dismissed
The legal saga involving former National Security Adviser, General Michael Flynn, has been lengthy and winding. Initially, he pled guilty to lying during an FBI interview, making his case one of the most high-profile charges resulting from the Mueller investigation. Just before his sentencing, Flynn’s attorneys contested his original plea agreement, and after much legal back-and-forth, all charges against him were dismissed.
The dismissal of the case against Flynn is unprecedented, especially considering it involved high-level government figures such as Attorney General Barr and President Trump, who tweeted that Flynn was “an innocent man.” The Justice Department’s filing explained that all charges were being dropped “after a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case, including newly discovered and disclosed information.” The filing also noted that the original FBI interview with Flynn was “untethered to, and unjustified by, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn,” and that the interview itself lacked a legitimate investigative basis. If you’ve been following Mytour, this might not be shocking to you. We’ve previously shared *10 Disturbing Signs That The FBI Is Corrupt*.
1. More Retail Giants Are Filing For Bankruptcy Protection In The US
Saks Fifth Avenue filed for bankruptcy last week, joining the ranks of department stores like Macy’s and JCPenney. Now, Neiman Marcus has followed suit. The well-known luxury retailer, found in shopping malls across the country, filed for Chapter-11 bankruptcy, hoping to restructure its significant debt as its financial troubles had been escalating long before the pandemic-induced lockdowns pushed shoppers out of stores.
Neiman Marcus Group’s Chairman and CEO, Geoffroy van Raemdonck, issued a statement justifying the decision to file for bankruptcy, saying, “Before the COVID-19 crisis, Neiman Marcus Group was making substantial strides towards long-term profitability and sustainable growth. However, like most businesses today, we’re facing unprecedented disruption due to the pandemic, which has placed immense pressure on our operations.”
Neiman Marcus wasn’t the only one filing for bankruptcy protection this week — J.Crew also filed on Monday. The company hopes that restructuring its debt will allow it to survive the economic fallout of the pandemic. Given the current state of the retail industry, J.Crew and Neiman Marcus are unlikely to be the last companies to take this step in the coming months. So, where will we shop when we’ve exhausted the *Top 10 Obscenely Expensive Luxury Fashion Items* list?
