NEWS OF THE DAY
From Around the World
1 China blast: A factory explosion in a port south of Shanghai on Sunday killed two people and injured at least 30 others, knocked down buildings and left streets littered with damaged cars and debris. The explosion at a factory in Ningbo, one of China’s busiest ports, struck a district on the Yong River at about 8:55 a.m., the official Xinhua News Agency and other outlets reported. The blast destroyed residential buildings, but those were vacant and in the process of being demolished, Huanqiu.com said. Bystanders said the explosion might have been caused by a gas pipeline that was damaged during demolition work, but the Ningbo gas company said it had no lines in the area. China suffers frequent industrial accidents, often blamed on negligence.
_2 Hotel fire: A fire at a luxury hotel in the Black Sea resort of Batumi, Georgia, killed 11 people and injured 21 others, police said Saturday. Ten of those killed were Georgians, a police statement said, and the other was a citizen of Iran. The blaze broke out at the Leogrand Hotel on Friday night, most likely in its spa center, according to local television reports. Video footage from the scene showed firefighters using a crane to rescue people from the 22-story building. Emergency services evacuated more than 100 people. Police said they had begun a criminal investigation into potential violation of fire safety rules.
3 Spain turmoil: The fugitive leader of Catalonia’s separatist movement on Saturday opened his campaign for upcoming Catalan elections from Belgium, where he awaits extradition. Carles Puigdemont, who wants to be re-elected as regional president, launched “Together for Catalonia” from Bruges. Puigdemont and four former members of his government fled to Belgium following a declaration of independence by Catalonia’s parliament on Oct. 27 and a swift crackdown by Spanish authorities, which included firing his government and calling regional elections for Dec. 21.
4 Leader’s surgery: Brazilian President Michel Temer was recovering Saturday after undergoing a successful angioplasty in three coronary arteries. The Sao Paulo hospital that treated Temer said two stents were implanted during the procedure late Friday. The three arteries had 90-percent obstructions. The hospital said the 77-year-old will be discharged Monday.
5 Missing submarine: Hopes for survivors are dimming as the ARA San Juan on Saturday entered its 10th day missing — which is what experts had said would likely be the limit of its oxygen supply even if it remained intact beneath the sea off Argentina. A multinational search and rescue effort continued Saturday. A Norwegian ship carrying a U.S. undersea rescue module was preparing to weigh anchor for the search zone, despite worsening weather. Argentina’s navy said the submarine seemed to be in good condition when it set off on a training mission, despite fears it later exploded beneath the sea with 44 crew members aboard.
6 France initiative: President Emmanuel Macron has announced an initiative to address violence and harassment against women in France, with plans aimed at erasing the sense of shame that breeds silence among victims and changing France’s culture. In a speech on Saturday marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Macron laid out a plan to encourage women to take action, strengthen laws against offenders and educating citizens on the issue — starting from nursery school.