Adama Barrow defeats Yahya Jammeh in Gambia’s presidential election.
Mr. Barrow won around 45.5% of the votes while President Jammeh won 36.7%. (Image courtesy of Reuters)
Property developer Adama Barrow defeated Yahya Jammeh, Gambia’s authoritarian president of 22 years, in a surprising turn of events in the most recent Gambian election. Barrow won over 45% of the popular vote, while President Jammeh only won 38%. Political experts are doubtful of a peaceful transfer of power. In the months leading up to the election, international observers and post-election demonstrations were banned and the internet was switched off on voting day. Mr. Barrow, who has never held public office, promised to revive the Gambian economy, in which poverty and unemployment have forced many young Gambians to join the Mediterranean migrant trail every year. He also criticized an absence of a two term limit on the presidency. Mr Jammeh, who seized power in a bloodless coup 22 years ago, has yet to give a public statement on the result.
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New study suggests Antarctic ice shelves are breaking apart from the inside.
A 3 metre rise in sea level could displace 150 million people around the world. (Image courtesy of NASA)
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a breakup of the Pine Island Glacier on the outer edge of West Antarctica. They determined that the rift had formed at the glacier’s base 32 km inland in 2013. Over the next two years, the rift rose and caused a 583 square kilometre piece of glacial ice to break off. Scientists believe that warm waters have caused both the melting of the glacier’s edges and its structure underneath the ice sheet. This form of melting could cause significant water flow into the oceans, raising sea levels by as much as 3 metres.
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Plane carrying a Brazilian soccer club crashes in Colombia, killing 71.
The plane went down approximately 24 km from the city of Medellin. (Image courtesy of AP Photo)
A charter plane carrying a Brazilian soccer club called “Chapecoense” crashed in Colombia, killing 71 passengers. Six passengers are reported to have survived, including three soccer players, two crew members, and a journalist. The small club had reached its first final of a major South American club competition when the plane went down, turning celebration into tragedy. The main line of investigation is a possible aircraft electrical failure, although it is possible the plane ran out of fuel prior to the crash.
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North Dakota pipeline protest garners support from U.S. veterans.
Veterans have a demonstration near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. (Image courtesy of Reuters)
People protesting against the Dakota Access Pipeline now have the support of war veterans. The pipeline is being opposed by the Indigenous people of the area, who believe that it would affect their drinking water and sacred sites. While the non-violent protesters must face the local law enforcement and cold weather, their numbers are still growing. Veterans who have joined say they want to support the protestors by protecting them. The North Dakota Veterans Co-ordinating Council advised veterans to stay home and not to participate in the protest. State officials refuse to take action against the protesters.
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Trump supporters challenge recount bid in Rust Belt states.
A presidential election recount is currently under way in Wisconsin. (Image courtesy of Getty Images)
Donald Trump’s supporters are attempting to halt the presidential vote recount in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Green party presidential candidate Jill Stein has been pushing for the recount and says she want to ensure America’s voting system is sound. For Hillary Clinton to win the recount, over 100,000 votes, or 46 electoral college votes, would have to switch to her side. Those pushing for the cancellation of the recount say they don’t want to waste taxpayer money. Those against also say that there is no evidence of tampering. Despite these protesters’ efforts, the recount is still ongoing. According to federal law, it must end on 13 December.
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