US Embassy attacked in Baghdad

US Embassy attacked in Baghdad [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( Protesters attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad in response to US-led air strikes. Australia continues to burn, forcing thousands to seek refuge along the coast. And there have been a lot of protests around the world this year. We break them down for you. --------------------------------------------------------------- In the news today Protesters torch US Embassy in Baghdad [Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces) fighters set fire to the US Embassy wall to condemn air strikes on their bases, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 31, 2019.]( Credit: Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters [Protesters attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad]( on Tuesday and the ambassador and other staff were evacuated as anger over US air strikes on Iraq erupted into violence. In Washington, US President Donald Trump [accused Iran of orchestrating the unrest]( and said Tehran would be held responsible. The protesters and militia fighters stormed and burned a security kiosk at the entrance of the US Embassy but did not breach the main compound as security forces and embassy guards fired tear gas and stun grenades, [witnesses told Reuters](. They threw stones at the gate while others chanted, "No, no, America! No, no, Trump!" US planes on Sunday had attacked bases belonging to an Iranian-backed militia — [an action that risks drawing Iraq further into a proxy conflict]( between Washington and Tehran at a time when mass protests are challenging Iraq's political system. The attack on the Kataib Hezbollah militia was in [response to the killing of a US civilian contractor]( in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base. Also: [State Department faults Iraq for failing to protect US troops]( And: [US responds to deadly attack at Iraq base]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Thousands trapped on Australian beaches by dangerous bushfires [Thousands of people swarmed to beaches on Australia's east coast]( on Tuesday to escape fierce wildfires bearing down on several seaside towns, as the government readied [naval vessels and military helicopters](to aid firefighting and evacuations. The huge bushfires have destroyed more than 10 million acres, with new blazes sparked into life almost daily by extremely hot and windy conditions in bushland left tinder-dry after a three-year drought. There are [12 confirmed fire-related deaths](. Fueled by searing temperatures and high winds, [more than 200 fires are now burning]( across the southeastern states of New South Wales and Victoria, threatening several towns and snapping their power, mobile and internet links. "This is absolutely one of the worst fire seasons we've seen," Shane Fitzsimmons, commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service, [told a briefing in Sydney](. "It's going to be a very long, difficult dangerous night still ahead. It's going to be another difficult day again tomorrow." Also: [Earth's hottest decade on record marked by extreme storms, deadly wildfires]( And: [Oceans play a role in Australian bushfires drama, say experts]( --------------------------------------------------------------- NewsMatch Do you value the global journalism you read here every morning? [Make a gift]( to support our work now, and your donation will be matched. [Donate here](. Protests that rocked the world in 2019 [A demonstrator carries an Iraqi flag during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 10, 2019.] Credit: Alaa al-Marjani/Reuters Gas. Bread. A subway ticket: The soaring cost of everyday necessities sparked protests that spiraled into major movements in countries like France, Zimbabwe, Lebanon, Sudan and Chile. [Throughout the world, citizens took to the streets in 2019 to rise up against inequality, corruption and bad governance](. As the year comes to a close, citizens across the globe continue to protest injustices, demand reforms and push for regime change. From India to Iraq, Venezuela to Algeria, Haiti to Spain, Hong Kong to Colombia, Puerto Rico to Iran, millions of people reached their breaking points. [The people continue to speak](. Also: [2019 in review: Protests, regime change and a world on fire]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a smart speaker? Listen to The World's new show called [The Number in the News](! We produce The Number in the News daily from our studio in Boston. Host Bianca Hillier will tell you one number you won’t forget and why it’s the news today. Add The Number in the News to your Amazon or Google news briefing. Taiwan passes law to combat Chinese influence on politics Election security isn’t just a US concern. Taiwan's parliament [passed an anti-infiltration law]( on Tuesday to combat perceived [threats from China]( as the island gears up for a presidential vote on Jan. 11 amid heightened tension with Beijing. The legislation is part of a years-long effort to combat what many in Taiwan see as Chinese efforts to influence politics and the democratic process, through illicit funding of politicians and the media and other methods. The move [further strains ties]( between Taiwan and Beijing, which suspects Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen of pushing for the island's formal independence and has ramped up pressure on her since she took office in 2016. China claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary. Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name. Also: [Unpacking the China-Taiwan relationship]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Morning meme It looks like dusk on Mars. [But it's really daytime amid one of Australia's brushfires](. Extra: Is nuclear power worth the risk? [After Fukushima, balancing the risk of another disaster against the rising danger of climate change](. Reuters contributed to this newsletter. --------------------------------------------------------------- In case you missed it on The World - [Global music trends from the past decade]( - [On the ice]( - [Russia's silencing tactics]( - [Chernobyl fallout]( - [Mexico complains that Bolivia is harassing its diplomats]( - [More children's books tell immigrants' stories]( Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX](, [WGBH](, and the [BBC](.