Saturday, November 20, 2021

Six In The Morning Saturday 20 November 2021

 

The EU realizes it can't rely on America for protection. Now it has a blueprint for a new joint military force

Updated 0849 GMT (1649 HKT) November 20, 2021


The chaos at the border between Poland and Belarus is just the latest incident to get top brass in Brussels pondering what the European Union should do long-term about its internal security.

This migrant crisis, in which Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko stands accused of directing refugees to the Polish border, took place as fears ramped up in eastern Europe over a build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine's border.
Recent geopolitical crises, most notably the messy withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, has cemented thinking that the EU cannot rely entirely on the United States or NATO for its protection.



Wimbledon joins calls for Peng Shuai’s safety to be confirmed


  • Player has not been heard from in more than fortnight
  • ‘Her wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us’
PA Media
Sat 20 Nov 2021 15.54 GMT

Wimbledon has joined the calls for Peng Shuai’s safety to be confirmed, saying the club has been working behind the scenes on the issue.

The chorus of concern for the welfare of the Chinese player, who has not been heard from directly for more than fortnight, has been amplified as far as the United Nations and the White House.

Peng, a former world No 1 in doubles and Wimbledon champion alongside Hsieh Su-wei in 2013, made allegations of sexual assault against a former vice-premier in China on the social media site Weibo.

Two people shot as rioting erupts at anti-lockdown protest in Rotterdam

Riot police used water cannon in an attempt to move hundreds of rioters

Tom Batchelor

Seven people have been injured after police fired warning shots when riots broke out in the Dutch city of Rotterdam during protests against new Covid restrictions.

Police said dozens of arrests had been made and officers were among the injured, with units from across the Netherlands dispatched to help restore order. Two people were believed to have been hurt by police warning shots.

The violent unrest was linked to anger among some Dutch citizens at plans by the government to restrict access for unvaccinated people to select venues.


Opinion: Africa must lead on sustainable industrialization

African countries have been following the global script as they try to achieve industrialization and economic growth, but it has not been effective. It's time they found their own way, says Harrison Mwilima.

Every year on November 20, the world observes Africa Industrialization Day. The day reminds African countries of the importance of industrial development to bring about sustained and inclusive economic growth. 

As a continent of young people with a median age of 19.7 and an estimated rise of the population to 2.5 billion by 2050, African countries have always been told to pursue industrial development to eradicate poverty and create employment for its young population.


Iranians gather in mass protest against water crisis caused by dried-up river

Thousands of protesters converged on Isfahan in central Iran on Friday to voice their anger after the city's lifeblood river dried up due to drought and diversion.

The massive protest, that drew in farmers and other people from across Isfahan province, was the biggest since demonstrations over the water crisis started on November 9.

"Thousands of people from Isfahan, farmers from the east and west of the province, have gathered in the dry Zayandeh Rood riverbed with one key demand: let the river run," a state television journalist in Isfahan reported, broadcasting live images of Friday's rally.

China slams ‘irresponsible’ UN comments on jailed journalist

UN, rights groups have urged Beijing to release Zhang Zhan, who was jailed for her coverage of China’s COVID-19 response.

China has strongly criticised the United Nations over comments demanding the release of a citizen journalist jailed for her coverage of the country’s COVID-19 response.

The Chinese mission in Geneva voiced outrage on Saturday at what it said were the “irresponsible” and “erroneous” comments made by the UN rights office OHCHR on Friday in the case of Zhang Zhan.


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