Deadly Iran protests continue as Trump renews intervention threat

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By JON GAMBRELL AP The death toll in violence surrounding protests in Iran has risen to at least 35 people, activists said Tuesday, as the demonstrations showed no signs of stopping. The figure came from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which said more than 1,200 people have been detained in the protests, which have been ongoing for more than a week. It said 29 protesters, four children and two members of Iran’s security forces have been killed. Demonstrations have reached over 250 locations in 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces, The group, which relies on an activist network inside of Iran for its reporting, has been accurate in past unrest. A wave of protests sparked by Iran’s failing economy has continued for a ninth day, as President Donald Trump renewed his threat of US intervention. Trump warned on Sunday night that Iranian authorities would be “hit very hard” if more protesters died. “We’re watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they ...
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Wildfire rages in Ecuador’s drought-stricken capital

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 A raging wildfire filled Ecuador’s capital of Quito with smoke and threatened homes on Tuesday as authorities rushed to control the blaze at a time when a historic drought has stretched resources and patience.

President Daniel Noboa said the armed forces had been deployed to fight the fire, which started around midday in the bohemian Guapulo neighborhood and gradually spread to nearby residences and forested areas.

Some tearful residents worked desperately to put out flames, according to a Reuters witness.

“We couldn’t rescue anything. We just arrived, we didn’t know what to do … I don’t know why this is happening to us,” said Guapulo resident Rosana Cepeda.

No deaths or serious injuries have been reported.

Quito’s firefighting force said its contingents were fully deployed and that its units would be fighting fires throughout the night.

“The fire will not end in the next few hours. It will surely continue into the night,” Mayor Pabel Munoz told the press, adding that falling nighttime temperatures should help efforts to control the blaze.

Ecuador’s worst drought in over 60 years has plunged the hydropower-dependent country into an energy crisis as diminished reservoirs leave hydroelectric dams offline.

The country’s energy minister announced nationwide 12-hour power cuts on Monday and said the country’s dry season started two months early.

Power cuts scheduled for Tuesday were suspended for the coverage area of Electrica Quito, the capital city’s electric utility, the company said on social media.

SOURCE: REUTERS AND AGENCIES



from The Times Of Earth https://ift.tt/n40ZYS6

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