In The News

Protests, Curfew in Ecuador: Miami Herald

Jim Wyss October 9, 2019
Massive protests over rising prices and an end to fuel subsidies are roiling Ecuador’s capital. President Lenin Moreno has left the capital, transferred the government from Quito to Guayaquil, and declared a state of emergency, reports Jim Wyss for the Miami Herald. The president blames neighboring Venezuela and political opposition, and some US officials agree with that assessment despite...

Missed Opportunities in Iraq: Wall Street Journal

Ghassan Adnan and Isabel Coles October 7, 2019
After years of Saddam Hussein's brutal dictatorship followed by a long war, Iraqis struggle with a poor economy with low job growth and corruption. The country is among the world’s top 10 oil-producing nations, and the government failed to distribute benefits two decades ago under Hussein and still fails today. Protesters are turning out in force, demanding jobs, improved living standards...

Beijing and Revenge on Hong Kong: Financial Times

Jamil Anderlini October 7, 2019
Hong Kong’s status as a vibrant financial center, a base for companies of all types, flourished under democracy. Democracy and fears about erosion of freedoms also fuels protests. Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China, operates with a separate set of political processes, since 1997 through 2047. Increasing Chinese influence over Hong Kong, including expulsion of specific elected...

Climate Strike Spans Continents: Financial Times

Sarah Provan, Philip Georgiadis, Camilla Hodgson, Myles McCormick, Adam Samson September 20, 2019
Millions of students and their supporters are protesting to demand immediate action from political leaders on climate change, ending the reliance on coal and other fossil fuels. Protests are scheduled in about 3,000 cities and more than 160 nations. Many businesses lend their support, with one group ringing fire alarms, responding to an early call of activist Greta Thunberg’s: “I want you to act...

Hong Kong Withdraws Extradition Bill: SCMP

September 4, 2019
Large crowds of Hong Kong protesters began organizing in mid-June soon after the government introduced a bill allowing extradition of criminal suspects to jurisdictions with which the city lacks a treaty, including China. Announcement of suspension on June 16 was not enough and spurred 2 million to take the streets in peaceful protest. Weeks passed and the protests took a violent turn with petrol...

Hong Kong Protests Turn Violent: Reuters

Twinnie Siu August 27, 2019
After 11 weeks, mostly peaceful protests in Hong Kong have turned into violent with petrol bombs, destruction of surveillance cameras and injuries. Police responded with water cannons, teargas, gunfire and more than 80 arrests. The protests began in June over an extradition bill allowing Hong Kong people to be sent to China for trial. “But the demonstrations have evolved over 12 straight weeks...

Hong Kong Protests Draw 1 Million Plus: BBC

Stephen McDonell August 18, 2019
As many as 1.7 million protesters of all ages bearing colorful umbrellas marched peacefully in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park and other parts of the city. “China, which has built up security forces in nearby Shenzhen, has likened the protests to terrorist activity,” notes a BBC News report. China has warned the city’s leaders not to lose control after recent violent clashes with police and disruptions...