A Most Violent Weekend

PNUT GALLERY

Eid Mubarak to our Pnut readers celebrating this week! 

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

A Most Violent Weekend: Iraq, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia

Despite the many celebrations this weekend – from Canada Day, American Independence Day, the final days of Ramadan and beyond – many celebrations were cut short from a global wave of bombings that took place within 48 hours of each other, leaving victims from several nationalities. The most severe terror took place in Iraq, where ISIS claimed responsibility for the Baghdad bombings that left over 200 people dead. A suicide truck bomb detonated in a busy shopping district on Saturday, becoming the single deadliest attack in the country in years. 

Dhaka Mourns The Blow Of Prep School Boys

Meanwhile, Bangladesh remains in shock after six suspected terrorists created an 11-hour siege on a bakery in Dhaka, leaving 20 hostages, two police officers and the six attackers dead. ISIS is trying to take credit for this attack but the government denies this claim. At first, the police declined to name the young men but friends and relatives recognized photographs that were posted on a messaging app by ISIS. The media is left scratching its head, wondering why the Dhaka attackers came from such elite families, all of whom attended prestigious schools and universities. Even the son of a former city leader in the prime minister’s own Awami League, the governing party, was among the attackers.

Saudi Arabia Struggles To Celebrate Eid

On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, at least four people died when a suicide bomber attacked the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, the second most holy site in Islam. Yet, this had already been the third suicide attack in Saudi Arabia within 24 hours. The first occurred before dawn near the US Consulate in Jeddah, which resulted in the attacker killing himself only. Not long after, another suicide bomber tried to launch an attack in Shiite mosque in Qatif but failed, also exclusively killing himself in the process. While no person or group has taken responsibility for these thankfully botched attacks, experts suspect ISIS, given the targets placed on Americans and Shia minorities. 

Nutshell: The Origins Of ISIS

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

Brexit: Oh, Sorry, Was I Supposed To Leave Now?

England’s post-Brexit leadership crisis extended to its third political party yesterday when Nigel Farage, leader of the far-right, anti-EU party UKIP, decided to retire from politics, claiming that his “political ambition” has been realized. Judging from the state of England today, one can only assume that Farage harbors a closeted anarchist streak. If you are saddened by his sudden departure, fret not, as he promises to finish his term in the European Parliament where we assume he will continue trading playground insults with fellow MPs.

Pnut Read: Everything You Need To Know About Brexit

Australia: Hi! Remember Us? We Can Also Be Dysfunctional

Britain’s long-lost child and former penal colony followed in its parent’s footsteps and ventured into the realm of political dysfunction. With polls from last weekend’s election still too close to call, it is almost guaranteed that Australia will face a hung parliament and its sixth PM in as many years. The ruling Liberal Party, which is actually conservative, lost its commanding lead after a fall in commodity prices hit the economy and a House of Cards-esque leadership battle last year. Independent parties will now play an important role as kingmakers in a coalition government. 

Austria: Not Australia But Equally Dysfunctional

Well, it was fun while it lasted. When Alexander Van der Bellen won Austria’s presidential election, he became the first left-wing candidate since World War II to do so. But his opponent, the far-right and far grumpier Norbert Hofer, won over the courts by highlighting irregularities, and his party convinced them to overturn the results, forcing the country to re-do the entire voting process. In the wake of Brexit, it’s possible that Hofer’s anti-immigrant, anti-EU agenda could gather more votes this time around. If elected, he would become the first far-right head of state in the EU and, surprising no one, he has already said he’d like to conduct his own referendum for leaving the EU. 

KEEPING OUR EYE ON…

Elie Wiesel: The famed historian who memorialized his experience and survival in the Holocaust with Night, his moving autobiography, passed away this weekend at 87 years old.

China: State-run newspaper Global Times said China should prepare itself for military confrontation in the South China Sea, amid tensions with the Philippines. Chinese media is using increasingly threatening language while it prepares for The Hague’s upcoming July 12th ruling on the dispute between China in the Philippines. 

Abbas Kiarostami: The celebrated Iranian director died at age 76. Kiarostami rose to prominence after his 1997 film “Taste of Cherry” won that Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. 

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

‘Pounded By The Pound’ Is A Brexit Inspired Erotic Novel

There really is no telling where the rippled effects of Brexit will reach next. For author Chuck Tingle – who either uses a pseudonym or was always destined to be an erotic novelist – Brexit gave him the inspiration to write the dystopian erotic thriller you never knew you needed. Tingle tells the story of a relationship between a man and a giant floating pound coin. And not just any floating pound coin: a floating pound coin with an “incredible set of chiseled metallic abs” and a “thick golden rod.” If only Tingle, who is obviously on his way to becoming the next Nicholas Sparks, published this prophetic work before the Brexit vote took place. Perhaps he could have swayed voters’ hearts with this harrowing portrayal of the future.