Thursday, November 14, 2019

World News Briefs -- November 14, 2019 (Evening Edition)



SCMP: Hong Kong protests: government under fire from across political spectrum for inaction as protesters take over campuses, close Cross-Harbour Tunnel, block roads and firebomb rail tracks

* In first public comments on trouble, President Xi Jinping says putting an end to violence and restoring order remains Hong Kong’s most urgent priority
* He describes continuing violence as challenge to the ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle

The beleaguered Hong Kong government came under mounting criticism from across the political spectrum on Thursday for its failure to bring normalcy back to a city that protesters held hostage for the fourth straight day with their spree of besieging and blocking roads.

The Cross-Harbour Tunnel was effectively defunct for an entire day as protesters put up barricades of chairs, tables and boards they had commandeered from neighbouring Polytechnic University. Later at night, they again set the tollbooths on fire and then, hiding behind their canopy of umbrellas, they unfurled a giant Chinese flag that they set alight.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Islamic Jihad offers Egypt-brokered Israel truce as Gaza toll mounts.

Gaza: Eight family members killed, 12 critical in Israeli raids.

Protesters killed in Iraq as HRW slams attacks on medics.

In Shiite holy city of Karbala, Iraqis protest against Iranian ‘meddling’.

View from Ankara: Trump and Erdogan praise ties despite tensions.

Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s Houthi rebels in indirect peace talks.

Kuwait's government submits resignation.

ASIA

Taliban still holding Western hostages: spokesman.

Uighur activists say China is running nearly 500 detention camps and prisons in Xinjiang based on satellite images.

North Korea rebuffs U.S. offer of December talks, urges halt in military drills.

North Korea issues warning over US-South Korea drills.

Hong Kong brought to standstill as university campuses become new battleground.

Xi Jinping again backs Hong Kong police use of force in stopping unrest.

If China puts troops in Hong Kong, Washington should suspend the city’s trade status, US commission says.

Lawsuit: Aung San Suu Kyi 'committed crimes' against Rohingya.

New Zealand MPs approve 'End of Life Choice' bill, paving way for referendum.

Two Chinese people being treated for pneumonic plague in Beijing.

AFRICA

Ethiopia arrests inciters of violence in universities.

‘Climate of fear’: Nigeria intensifies crackdown on journalists.

Sudan healthcare system collapsing after years of conflict.

Cameroon president acknowledges differences with English speakers.

Arab fund offers $305 mln loan to cash-starved Sudan.

Africa summit explores progress on issues affecting women.

1st Ebola vaccine gets full approval.

Egypt under fire over 'shrinking' freedoms at UN rights review.

Guinean teen shot dead during mass anti-government protests.

China-backed consortium wins $14bn Guinea iron ore deal.

EUROPE

Labour antisemitism row: public figures say they cannot vote for party under Corbyn.

China, Russia declare strategic alliance for 'new era'.

Germany narrowly avoids recession with meager 0.1% Q3 growth.

Venice floods: Italy's Conte declares state of emergency.

MH17 investigators link plane crash to Russian officials.

Germany makes measles vaccinations compulsory.

EU bank to stop funding fossil fuels in 'landmark decision'.

Hugo Carvajal: Venezuelan ex-spy chief's disappearance 'a scandal'.

UK-educated Russians are upholding Putin’s regime, says dissident.

Notre Dame fire: row as general tells architect to 'shut his mouth'.

AMERICAS

Pelosi says Trump has admitted to bribery as impeachment probe intensifies.

Erdogan shows anti-Kurdish video to senators at White House.

Two killed as unrest continues in Bolivia.

Bolivian senator Jeanine Anez declares herself interim president, which ousted Evo Morales condemns as a 'sneaky coup'. Bolivia's interim president's indigenous-free cabinet heightens polarization.

Bolivia’s interim leader says Morales barred from next election.

Bolivia's Morales 'ready to return', as US backs his rival Anez.

Drug trafficking up sharply under Venezuela's Maduro: US.

Two killed in California school shooting, teen in custody.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Coalition against ISIL in disagreement on how to handle detainees.

In Syria, U.S. military says fight will continue against ISIS.

Post 9/11 wars have cost American taxpayers $6.4 trillion, study finds.

Turkey says it captured ‘important’ ISIS figure in Syria.

Germany: Don't panic over 'Islamic State' returnees' arrival.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

S&P 500 notches record, shakes off Cisco's gloomy outlook.

Tariffs' removal a 'condition' for US trade deal: China.

Emerging economy leaders meet at 11th BRICS summit in Brazil.

Amazon to protest Pentagon's 'war cloud' decision in federal court.

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