The Globalist Weekly: 18th November 2019
A concise weekly digest of the top readings, content, ideas and discussions from our global bureaux and correspondents at ComplexGlobal
This week we explore the bushfires taking hold in eastern Australia, the ongoing tensions in Hong Kong, the clashes that have broken out in Bolivia, the stabbing of performers in Saudi Arabia, Cyclone Bulbul in India and Bangladesh and finally, the Iran protests over petrol prices.
Australia bushfires: Death toll rises
Australian authorities say a fourth person has died in a week of massive bushfires on the nation’s east coast. The 58-year-old man’s body was found in northern New South Wales (NSW) on Thursday, days after a fire ripped through the region. Crews are still battling over 120 fires in NSW and Queensland, but locals in Western Australia have now been warned of extremely dangerous conditions. Police charged a 16-year-old boy with deliberately starting a damaging fire. The alleged arson had destroyed 14 homes around the town of Yeppoon, 650km (400 miles) north of Brisbane, Queensland Police said.
HK Cross-Harbour Tunnel tollbooths on fire
Hong Kong has been paralysed by more traffic chaos on Thursday as protesters continue their new strategy of trying to grind the city’s transport links to a standstill on weekdays. It is the fourth day in a row. The city woke to see police firing tear gas around the Polytechnic University in Hung Hom, where a major cross-harbour tunnel was closed and later had its toll booths again targeted by petrol bombs. Police also shot the chemical canisters in Sheung Shui and Tsuen Wan.
Morales supporters oppose interim rule
Clashes have again broken out in Bolivia as supporters of former President Evo Morales oppose the rule of the new interim leader. Opposition senator Jeanine Áñez assumed the presidency amid a power vacuum and has vowed to hold elections soon. Supporters of Mr Morales clashed with riot police, while lawmakers loyal to him sought to challenge the legitimacy of Ms Áñez’s appointment. Mr Morales resigned on Sunday and has since fled to Mexico. His resignation followed weeks of protests over a disputed presidential election result. He said he was forced to stand down but did so willingly “so there would be no more bloodshed”.
Theatre performers wounded on stage
A Yemeni man was arrested after he stabbed three performers during a live play in Riyadh on Monday. Saudi Police said the victims were in stable condition but offered no information about their nationality or the assailant’s motives. A police spokesman told the Saudi Press Agency that “security forces dealt with a … stabbing attack against two men and a woman during a live performance”. State television footage showed the 33-year-old attacker climbing on to the stage in King Abdullah Park during a musical performance by what appeared to be a foreign troupe.
Cyclone Bulbul: 20 dead and millions displaced
Twenty people have died and more than two million others have spent a night huddled in storm shelters after Cyclone Bulbul hit the coasts of India and Bangladesh with fierce gales and torrential rain, officials said on Sunday. The cyclone packed winds of up to 120km/h (75mph) when it hit late on Saturday, forcing the closure of ports and airports in both countries. Ten people were killed in India’s West Bengal state, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported, including two after uprooted trees fell on their homes and another after being struck by falling branches in Kolkata. Two others died in nearby Odisha state, PTI reported.
Iran protests: At least 12 killed at unrest
At least 12 people have been killed in Iran since protests against fuel price rises erupted three days ago, officials have said, although reports suggest the number of dead is far higher. The situation on the streets is unclear on account of a nationwide internet shutdown. But demonstrations are reportedly continuing in some cities. The government said Monday had been “calmer”, despite “some minor issues”.
Originally published at https://www.complexglobal.co
