Monday Briefing | November 16 - Journal of Political Inquiry

Flowers, candles and messages on Sunday near the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, where at least 89 people were killed. Picture by Jeff J Mitchell | Getty Images

Stories to Follow

Paris Attack: Manhunt Underway as Paris Investigation Widens
On November 13 the world witnessed the worst terrorist attack in France since World War II. Yet to be identified in name and number, the suicide bombers and gunmen stormed into the citadel of leisure and pleasure indiscriminately targeting innocents. The worst incident took place inside the Bataclan concert Hall. Other sites included restaurants, a shopping center and a venue near the Stade de France. The attack killed more than 129 people, and injured more than 352. On November 15, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks. French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency, calling the attack an “act of war,” and bombed ISIS-controlled territory in Syria in retaliation. French officials are looking for the 8th suspect, who may have managed to escape. The other seven attackers died during the assault on Friday.

Beirut Suicide Bombing left 42 dead and 239 wounded
On November 12 nine suicide bombers attacked the southern part of the city near a busy open-air market in the Bourj al-Barajneh district. A number of ISIS-linked Twitter accounts have claimed responsibility for the attack. The PM Tammam Salam declared Friday a day of mourning for the victims of the bombings and officials across the country’s political landscape condemned the terrorist attack.

Read more: ABC News-Suspects arrest, NYTimes- ISIS claim responsibility , WashingtonPost- victims

South Korea Anti-government Protest
On November 14 tens of thousands of protestors marched toward the Presidential House (Blue House) after a rally demanding the resignation of President Park Geun Hye. The protest, organized mainly by the Farmers Union and Labor Union, brought together various disaffected groups. Issues involved were (but not limited to) the president’s plan to allow greater leeway to employers to lay off workers and decisions to adopt a state-approved history textbook for high school education. The protest turned violent as the police used water cannons and tears gas to repel protestors who were trying to break through police barricades. The march was one of the biggest protests in recent years and ended with more than 50 demonstrators detained and 29 injured.