Morales steps down amid protests
Bolivian President Evo Morales announced on Sunday that he would step down following unrest amid allegations of irregularities in October’s elections. The move followed a demand from the head of the Bolivian armed forces for the president to resign, CNN reports. Reuters says that far from ending the violence, Morales stoked fears of further unrest by saying he was the victim of a “coup” and faced arrest, but also reported that a police chief said there is no warrant for his arrest. The Guardian reports that Mexico has offered Morales asylum. But, as the FT says, Morales’s resignation after 14 years has left a power vacuum in Bolivia.
Spain in limbo again
Spain’s fourth election in as many years appears to have done little to make the country any more politically stable. The BBC reports that incumbent prime minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialists won the most seats but will struggle to form a left-wing majority. The main opposition conservative Popular Party gained more than 20 seats while the centre-right Ciudadanos suffered what El Pais called a crushing defeat, losing more than 40 seats. But it was the gain of the far-right Vox party, which jumped from 24 to 52 seats, that claimed the headlines as it became the third-biggest party. The Washington Post has a profile of the party it says is shaking up Spanish politics.
Australia tackles “catastrophic” wildfires
“Catastrophic” level warnings have been issued for Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains in Australia as more 120 bushfires burn across New South Wales and Queensland, the BBC reports. The fires are expected to peak in the next 24 hours, and firefighters have warned people to take action because they may not get help on Tuesday, Sky News reports.
Hong Kong police use live ammo
CNBC reports that a 21-year-old male protester is in critical condition after being shot by police in Hong Kong on Monday. Three pro-democracy lawmakers were arrested on Saturday. Aljazeera says the “fracas” during Monday’s rush hour was broadcast live on Facebook.
Haley makes Tillerson and Kelly claims
Former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has made claims in her book, “With All Due Respect”, that former secretary of state Rex Tillerson and former White House chief of staff John Kelly told her they “were trying to save the country” by resisting president Donald Trump. The BBC says Haley called their attempts to undermine the president “dangerous” and “offensive”. The Guardian says the claims “add to a picture of the White House as a hive of insurrection”. In an interview with CBS, Haley also said that impeachment is “like the death penalty for public officials”.
E-scooter firm raises $85 million
Sweden’s Voi Technology, an electric scooter sharing start-up, has managed to gain a further $85 million in investment just eight months after the firm last raised money, CNBC reports. The firm hopes the fresh capital will help it become profitable.
British Steel rescue deal
China’s Jingye Group has agreed in principle to buy British Steel for £70 milliom, which could safeguard up to 4,000 jobs in the UK, the BBC reports. The FT says it has seen a presentation that indicates Jingye plans to boost production to more than 3 million tonnes a year, up from 2.5 million.
Alibaba singles day up 25%
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group reported receipts of over $22 billion in the first 9 hours of its annual Singles’ Day sales on Monday. That is up 25% on last year Reuters reports.
Sports roundup
Football: The Seattle Sounders are the MLS Cup champions after a 3-1 win over Toronto FC. Liverpool won their top-of-the-table clash with league champions Manchester City 3-1 to go 8 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Tennis: France claimed the Fed Cup for the first time since 2003 after Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic won the decisive doubles rubber against Australia in Perth. Cricket: 15-year-old Shafali Verma of India has broken the great Sachin Tendulkar's 30-year-old record as the youngest player to make an international 50.
Screaming penguin is NZ bird of the year
The hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, has won New Zealand’s “hotly contested” bird of the year poll, The Guardian reports. The bird is described as being “charismatic and gorgeous” but also antisocial.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts