The Full Belmonte, 9/11/2023
A man inspects the damage caused by the earthquake in the old Medina of Marrakech, Morocco. (AP Photo/Rida Tabit)
WORLD NEWS
Moroccans sleep in the streets for 3rd night following an earthquake that took more than 2,100 lives
“People in Morocco slept in the streets of Marrakech for a third straight night as soldiers and international aid teams in trucks and helicopters began to fan into remote mountain towns hit hardest by a historic earthquake. Read more.
Why this matters:
The disaster killed more than 2,100 people — a number that is expected to rise — and the United Nations estimated that 300,000 people were affected by Friday night’s magnitude 6.8 quake.
The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous. It was the strongest earthquake to hit the North African country in over 120 years, according to records dating to 1900.
There was frustration amid aid groups ready to deploy to help. Moroccan officials said Sunday that they are accepting international aid from just four countries: Spain, Qatar, Britain and the United Arab Emirates, bypassing offers from French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden. Morocco’s Interior Ministry said, ‘a lack of coordination in such cases would be counterproductive.’” [AP News]
Biden highlights business deals and honors John McCain during Vietnam visit
“President Joe Biden closed his first-ever visit to Vietnam on Monday by spotlighting new deals and partnerships between the countries and paying respects at a memorial honoring Sen. John McCain, who endured a lengthy incarceration during the Vietnam War. Read more.
Why this matters:
Biden and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính spoke about strengthening Vietnam’s semiconductor industry and the American commitment to an open Pacific. The prime minister said ‘the sky is the limit’ for the expanding U.S.-Vietnam relationship.
Highlights of the major deals announced by the White House during Biden’s first-ever visit to Vietnam include U.S.-based Boeing’s $7.5 billion deal with Vietnam Airlines to buy about 50 aircraft and Arizona-based Amkor Technology’s plans for a $1.6 billion factory in Bac Ninh Province.
The White House also said the administration would help “build Vietnamese capacity to fight regional and international transnational crime.” China has been locked in long-running territorial conflicts with Vietnam, along with the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, as Beijing claims waters in the other nations’ exclusive economic zone.” [AP News]
A test last week of the "Tribute in Lights" 9/11 memorial light display in New York.
9/11
“On this day 22 years ago, four planes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania — killing nearly 3,000 people in a matter of hours. Many people will pause today to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and reflect on the permanent emotional toll the tragedy inflicted on the nation. A total of 2,753 people were reported missing in lower Manhattan after the attacks on the World Trade Center. To this day, 40% of the victims, or about 1,100 people thought to have died in the disaster, remain unidentified. New York City officials last week identified two new victims through DNA testing, and the work is ongoing to identify others as their loved ones continue to grieve.” [CNN]
Auto strike
“An auto strike will likely occur later this week, analysts say, as contract talks between the nation's "Big Three" automakers and the United Auto Workers union appear to be stalled. The current contracts between the union and the three automakers — General Motors, Ford and Stellantis — all expire at 11:59 pm on September 14, raising the possibility of one or more strikes on September 15. The union has made an ambitious set of demands, including substantial pay increases and more safeguards for part-time workers. Experts say the strike could cause serious downsides for those currently shopping for a new Ford, Chevrolet or Jeep — brands that are manufactured by Ford, GM and Stellantis, respectively.” [CNN]
An escaped murderer slipped the police’s search perimeter in Pennsylvania.
“What happened? Police said Danelo Cavalcante was spotted on a former co-worker’s doorbell camera on Saturday.
What else to know: Cavalcante stole a vehicle and changed his appearance over the weekend. He escaped Aug. 31, about a week after he was sentenced to life for killing his ex-girlfriend.”
Read this story at Washington Post
The escaped murderer on the run for more than a week in southeast Pennsylvania has been spotted with what police called “a changed appearance.”
”Dam row: Ethiopia hopes a newly filled hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river will double the electricity output in a country where half the 127-million population lacks power. But Egypt has branded it "illegal", saying it shows "disregard" for the water security of countries downstream.” [BBC]
”It was 2016. The Brits voted for Brexit and Americans elected Donald Trump. In Europe, some feared that populism would spread and the far right was on the cusp of power in many countries.
Those prophecies proved to be overblown. Marine le Pen kept failing to win the French presidency and a Socialist took over as German Chancellor. But the political climate was unequivocally altered: Putting one’s country first in unashamedly nationalistic tones had entered the bloodstream.
Right now, it seems that the far right is having another moment, from Spain and Greece to Poland and Slovakia. But what does that mean exactly? Each case is different.
Italy is a useful barometer. The fascist label that dogged Georgia Meloni throughout her career has receded. She’s now a leader warmly welcomed in Democrat President Joe Biden’s White House. Is this the model these parties aspire to?
The anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany has surged in the polls, particularly in the former Communist eastern states. But a Nazi scandal in Bavaria in August, when deputy president, Hubert Aiwanger, admitted to having an anti-Semitic flyer in his bag as a schoolboy in the 1980s is a reminder of Germany’s ugly past.
Rather than hurt him, Aiwanger’s Free Voters party has gained supporters.
The nearest electoral test will come in Poland, where support for the government is starting to sour among voters. More than 18 months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a once-fringe party is capitalizing on the economic toll from the war next door.
In truth, rather than having a moment, it’s probably more the case that the far right has escaped the fringes and become mainstream.” — Flavia Krause-Jackson [Bloomberg]
“Unity and stability were what Chinese President Xi Jinping called for within the military during an inspection in the northeast, as speculation mounts over the whereabouts of his defense minister. Rumors have been swirling on X, formerly known as Twitter, over Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who was last seen publicly on Aug. 29.” [Bloomberg]
“North Korean weaponry could allow Russia to prolong its invasion of Ukraine, but probably isn’t advanced enough to alter the course of the war. As Kim Jong Un appears to have departed for Russia on his luxury armored train to meet with President Vladimir Putin, Pyongyang sits on some of the largest stockpiles of artillery and rockets that could be used to attack Ukraine.” [Bloomberg]
“President Emmanuel Macron rejected a demand by Niger’s military rulers to withdraw French troops from the West African nation after a coup strained relations between the two countries.” [Bloomberg]
“President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva backed off a pledge that Putin would be safe to travel to next year’s G-20 summit in Brazil without fear of arrest, saying the issue is up to his country’s judiciary.” [Bloomberg]
“Gabon’s military government plans hold free elections in two years, newly appointed Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima said, calling the transition period “a reasonable objective.” [Bloomberg]
A newly discovered comet is passing the sun this week.”
“The details: Comet Nishimura was discovered Aug. 11 by an amateur Japanese astronomer. It will pass closest to the Earth on Tuesday, then the sun five days later.
How to see it: Check the horizon before sunrise. Binoculars and a high elevation will help.
If you miss it: Your next chance will be in the year 2457 — if it survives this pass of the sun.”
Read this story at Washington Post
”Luis Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation three weeks after he kissed a player on the lips after her team won the Women's World Cup, Axios' Rebecca Falconer writes.
The player, 33-year-old Jenni Hermoso said she didn't consent to the kiss. The team's players said they wouldn't play again if Rubiales remained in charge.
Rubiales, 46, could face criminal charges after Hermoso and a Spanish prosecutor filed legal complaints accusing him of sexual assault and coercion.” [Axios]
Jenni Hermoso is honored for her World Cup title before a women's Mexican football league match in Pachuca, Hidalgo State, Mexico, yesterday. Photo: Jaime Lopez/AFP via Getty Images
Novak DjokovicMichelle V. Agins/The New York Times
“Novak Djokovic: He beat Daniil Medvedev at the U.S. Open to win his 24th Grand Slam, tying Margaret Court for the most major singles titles.” [New York Times]
“Coco Gauff: After winning the U.S. Open women’s singles title on Saturday, the 19-year-old is set to reach the headiest levels of fame.” [New York Times]
“College football: Mel Tucker, the Michigan State head coach, has been suspended without pay as the university investigates a sexual harassment allegation.” [New York Times]
“N.F.L.: The Cowboys beat the Giants last night, 40-0.” [New York Times]
“Lives Lived: Marc Bohan was the longest-serving creative director at Christian Dior, spending nearly 30 years spinning out classically attuned looks with a touch of whimsy. He died at 97.” [New York Times]