An earthquake in Indonesia kills more than 160, injures hundreds more; the U.N. Security council weighs a response to North Korea’s missile tests; and a potential railroad strike before the holidays could strike a blow to the U.S. economy. These stories and more highlight the noon rundown for Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.

Indonesia earthquake kills 162 

A deadly earthquake shook Indonesia early Monday morning. It has reportedly left at least 162 people dead and 700 people injured with structures dismantled in its path. At least 2,000 homes were damaged. Authorities say most of the deaths were caused by buildings collapsing on residents.

The earthquake was recorded at a 5.6 magnitude.

Climate compensation fund created 

“The cost of inaction is far, far greater than the cost of action,” said Simon Stiell, the U.N. Climate Change Executive Secretary. Leaders from more than 200 countries, including the U.S., have established a climate fund that will pay for natural disasters in underdeveloped countries.

U.N. leaders concluding those disasters, like storms, heat waves and droughts, have been fueled by global warming, which they say is created by the high levels of pollution coming from wealthy countries.

Underdeveloped countries have fought for 30 years for the creation of this compensation fund.

Security council discusses North Korea

 North Korea has tested more missiles this year than ever before. The latest test from Friday, was a ballistic missile that could reach the U.S., according to North Korea. 

Now the U.S., along with G-7 world leaders, are calling for a “significant” response from the U.N. to address North Korea’s volatility this year.

The U.N.’s security council with a scheduled meeting today to discuss possible actions against  North Korea. 

“We are prepared to meet without preconditions and a call on the DPRK to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy. But the DPRK continues to not respond and instead chooses to continue its reckless behavior,” said the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

But North Korea is already downplaying the significance, calling the U.N. Secretary General “a puppet of the United States.”

Potential rail strike affect on holidays 

For months, Straight Arrow News has been reporting on a potential rail strike if the railroads are unable to come to a contract agreement with the unions representing its employees. On Monday, workers from one of the unions rejected a negotiated contract.

It is the same contract the White House stepped in to help negotiate months ago. But if unions continue to turn down the deal, a potential rail strike could begin Dec. 5.

The consequences of a stop to freight could bury the U.S. ahead of holiday season.

Women’s rights under Taliban 

After the U.S. left Afghanistan more than a year ago, life would change under Taliban control. And women’s rights in the country are no exception.

Slowly but surely new decrees have been issued by the Taliban government. Women are no longer allowed to go to amusement parks or gyms. There are more restrictions on what they can wear. And women’s education has been stifled. When the Taliban took over, they promised to keep education available to women, but have since reversed.

In March, they postponed classes indefinitely and remain closed. A reminder of the repercussions from the Taliban takeover.