Ecuador
More than 100 inmates have been killed in a gun battle inside a prison in Ecuador during which grenades were thrown. At least five of the prisoners were reported to have been decapitated. The riot broke out after a gang crawled through a hole from one wing to another to attack their rivals. It took more than 400 police officers and five hours to regain control of the prison in the city of Guayaquil. Ecuador’s prisons have become a battleground for gangs with links to Mexican drugs cartels and more than 150 people had been killed this year before today’s incident.
More from BBC here.
Tunisia
Tunisia’s President Kais Saied today appointed a little-known geologist prime minister as the country continues to be gripped by turmoil following his seizure of sweeping powers in July. The president’s opponents and many Tunisians have called his power grab, which included dissolving parliament, a coup. He does enjoy support, though, from Tunisians frustrated by soaring unemployment and pervasive corruption. Najla Bouden becomes the country’s first female prime minister.
More from the New Arab here.
Bangladesh
A prominent and hugely popular Rohingya leader known as Mohibullah was shot dead at a refugee camp in Bangladesh today. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled into Bangladesh from neighboring Myanmar after the army launched a violent crackdown against them in 2017. Mohibullah had formed a large community group at the camps and helped investigate the abuses committed by the Myanmar military. He was one of the most visible advocates for the Rohingya, a mostly Muslim minority who have been persecuted in Myanmar for decades, and spoke at the White House in 2019.
More from Al Jazeera here.