The Iranian government has instituted an internet blackout starting November 16th in light of recent protests against the government. The web restrictions and decreased internet availability have been tracked by NetBlocks, a nonprofit organization which tracks internet coverage.
“Shutting down communications over the internet is a systematic assault on the right to freedom of expression,” said Philip Luther of Amnesty International, “and suggests that the authorities have something to hide.”
The protests, triggered by a 50 percent gas hike announced on November 15th, have spanned across at least 20 Iranian cities and have turned violent. An estimated 106 protestors have been killed in confrontations with the Iranian government, according to Amnesty International.
Iran’s troubles extend beyond its borders as well. Israel retaliated against recent Iranian rocket attacks on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. While the Iranian rocket attack on November 19 failed, the Israeli response the next day did not. At least twelve Iranian-linked facilities in Syria were struck by Israeli missiles killing 23 as reported by US News and World Report. According to Syrian State media outlets, the casualties included two civilians.
“The rules have changed: whoever fires on Israel during the day will not sleep at night,” said Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett. “Our message to the leaders of Iran is simple: you are no longer immune. Any place you dispatch your tentacles, we will chop them off.”
Meanwhile in southern Africa, millions of individuals could starve from a drought, according to the UN. They believe that in countries like Mozambique and Zimbabwe, around 11 million people could starve. The long drought coupled with disastrous cyclones have led to the low availability of food.
Farmers in South Africa are also struggling to maintain their agriculture and feed their livestock. Drought aid relief is set to come in from Agri-SA (a farmer’s organization) and the South African government. According to the AP, the drought is expected to continue.
“It is clear that southern African farmers, water managers and government entities need to prepare,” said meteorologist Christien Engelbrecht.
Australia is also experiencing environmental troubles as bushfires spread across parts of South Australia and parts of Victoria. According to the BBC, the fires which are burning in many parts of southern Australia have led to the death of six people and the destruction of about 500 homes.
Residents in the northern part of Victoria are recommended to evacuate as a “code red” warning has enacted in the state.
“Do not be there,” local fire chief Steve Warrington told The Age, an Australian newspaper. He said, “If a fire occurs, you will not survive.”
To the north, the sexual enslavement of women and children was condemned by Pope Francis as he visited Bangkok, Thailand. Visiting the National Stadium, Francis administered the Holy Mass and included a denouncement of sexual exploitation in his homily.
“Here I think of children and women who are victims of prostitution and human trafficking,” said Francis, “humiliated in their essential human dignity.”
Infamous for the prevalence of prostitution, a 2014 UNAIDS report found that Thailand had about 123,530 sex workers. Many of these workers are exploited by some of the annual 35 million tourists to Thailand. However, Reuters also reported that in 2019, a record number of people had been rescued from trafficking in Thailand.