Hong Kong has plunged further into crisis as a new law imposed by Beijing allowing the disqualification of “unpatriotic” opposition members prompted the entire pro-democracy caucus to announce their resignation. Minutes after the disqualifying legislation was announced by Chinese state media, the Hong Kong government released a statement disqualifying four pro-democracy legislators. “The political rule that Hong Kong must be governed by patriots shall be firmly guarded,” the Hong Kong liaison office said.`
Several people have been hurt in a bomb attack at a Remembrance Day ceremony attended by foreign diplomats in the Saudi city of Jeddah, France says. A French foreign ministry statement said an improvised explosive device blew up at a cemetery for non-Muslims, as officials from several consulates remembered the end of World War One. There was no immediate confirmation from the Saudi authorities.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said terror attacks are a “European reality” and that major changes need to be made to EU border security. It comes after three recent Islamist attacks in quick succession – two in France and one in Vienna. Mr Macron was speaking after a video conference to discuss anti-terror strategy with the leaders of Germany, Austria, The Netherlands.
Ukrainian authorities have closed a criminal probe into Joe Biden, who was accused of improperly forcing the ouster of the country’s prosecutor general in 2016, a police spokesperson said. The investigation was launched in February after the ousted prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, appealed to a court. President Trump pressured Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce a probe of this kind last year.
A newly unveiled nude female statue in London meant to honor feminist pioneer Mary Wollstonecraft has been targeted by unknown critics who stuck black tape on its breasts and pubic area, draped it in COVID masks and dressed it in a T-shirt. The sculpture angered feminists and other critics who said the naked figure drew attention to the female body instead of honoring the 18th century intellectual’s achievements and influence.