US Midterm elections
Dozens of Americans have gathered outside an election office in the US city of Phoenix to protest against midterm election results. The rally was organized by supporters of former president Donald Trump. The protesters accused state officials of fraud, demanding a recount. Many in the group echoed the former president's claim that he lost the 2020 election due to voter fraud. They called for the military to intervene in Arizona's election.
Second Cold War Warning
The head of the International Monetary Fund is warning of risks to the global economy from the rivalry between China and the US. Kristalina Georgieva has warned of, quoting her own words, sleepwalking into a poorer and less secure world. She raised the possibility of a second cold war, stressing that the way Washington and Beijing are acting is very irresponsible. In this context, the IMF chief criticized tariffs imposed on Chinese imports under former US President Donald Trump. Georgieva said the duties are counterproductive and were not carefully thought through. The issue of tariffs is just one of the sticking points that have soured US-China relations in recent years. Other bones of contention include the South China Sea sovereignty, Taiwan, technology, cyber security, Hong Kong's autonomy, and the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
G20 Summit Security
Indonesia is intensifying security measures in Bali, as part of preparations for the annual summit of the world’s 20 largest economies. This year's meeting has been overshadowed by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The G20 leaders as well as directors of several international organizations will be meeting on the resort island on the 15th and 16th of November. A notable absence from the summit will be the Russian president. First arrivals are expected late on Sunday. The heads of state will move between the summit venue and their hotels inside a security ring protected by 18 thousand military and police officers. Warships, helicopters and fighter jets have also been deployed as part of the security operation. Bali has seen no major security incidents for 20 years. But the area has witnessed deadly natural disasters including a 2004 tsunami that killed more than 170-thousand people in Indonesia alone.