Stories about Breaking News from October, 2012
United States: Immigration Absent in Vice-Presidential Debate
In the debate between the vice-presidential candidates Joe Biden and Paul Ryan there were, as was to be expected, differences on issues such as the economy, foreign policy, health care and abortion. However, immigration was absent from the debate.
DR of Congo: Tension Between Kinshasa and Paris as Summit Commences
Le Potentiel writes that [fr] French president Hollande's assessment of Human Rights violations in DR of Congo were not taken lightly by the Congolese government as the Francophone Summit is set to take place in Kinshasa, DRC. The two governments seem to be at odds on the death of Human right activist...
Political Exile On Board the Eritrean Presidential Jet
The blog “les Erythréens” has this report [fr]: Yesterday morning (October 3rd) two Eritrean pilots defected—in their Eritrean Air Force jet—to Saudi Arabia, requesting political exile upon landing at the airport in Jizan.
Russia: Democratic Public “Outraged” by Release of Pussy Riot Member
It now appears that Samutsevich’s gamble has paid off, as she was freed after today’s hearings, her two-year prison sentence reduced to two-years probation. The other two imprisoned Pussy Riot members, Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, were not so lucky.
Egypt: Remembering Maspero; Waiting for Justice to be Served
Egyptians recalled the tragic events of the Maspero massacre today, vowing to avenge the blood of martyrs and keep the revolution going. On October 9 last year, 28 Christian Copts were killed and another 200 injured when the army attacked protesters outside the Egyptian state media headquarters Maspero.
Puerto Rico: Boxer Orlando Cruz Is Proud to Be Gay
Puerto Rican boxer Orlando 'The Phenomenon' Cruz is breaking stereotypes with his recent announcement about his sexual orientation. Cruz, currently the number four featherweight boxer in the world, is the first in the history of boxing to publicly declare his homosexuality while active professionally.
South Korea: Belated Response to Toxic Gas Leak Affecting Thousands
In the small South Korean city of Gumi, the authorities' slow response to a toxic gas leakage disaster has prompted angry reactions from citizens. Click through to see photos of the damage done to the local environment.
Venezuela: Chávez Era to Extend for Six More Years
After the most contested and intense elections of the last decade, Venezuela will see six more years under the administration of Hugo Chávez Frías. Traffic on social networks, particularly on Twitter, was extremely intense, especially moments before the official announcement of the results.
France : Mystery of Blue Honey Bees Solved
Vkarole writes [fr] that bees in Ribeauvillé, France (Alsace region) started to produce a mysterious blue honey. After an investigation, the beekeepers determined that the color came from a dye used by M&M's factory in the vicinity where a few bees would gather.
Cuba: Yoani Sánchez Released After 30 Hours in Custody
Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez and bloggers Agustín Díaz and Reinaldo Escobar (Sánchez's husband), were released from police custody in Havana, Cuba, after having been detained in the eastern city of Bayamo the previous day.
Reactions to North Korean Soldier Defected to South Korea Across Border
As a North Korean soldier allegedly killed two of his superiors and defected to South Korea, numerous comments were made; Some suggesting a possibility of him being a spy, while other worried for his family left in North Korea.
Cuba: Blogger Yoani Sánchez Arrested
Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez was arrested last night in the eastern province of Bayamo, Cuba, where she had traveled to attend and report on a trial. Although there are very few details of the arrest, social networks and other media have provided some information.
Guatemala: 7 Indigenous Protesters Killed in Totonicapán
At least 7 civilians were killed on October 4 when combined armed forces violently removed indigenous demonstrators from Cuatro Caminos, a well-known road intersection in Guatemala. Demonstrators were protesting the rising price of electricity, and the education and constitutional reforms proposed by the government.
Russia: Apple Logo Branded As Unchristian by Orthodox Activists
Interfax new agency reported [ru] today that a fringe group of Russian Orthodox activists (including some priests) has “on a number of occasions” staged public protests against the maker of the iPhone and iPad, Apple Inc., on the grounds that the company's logo (a monochrome “bitten” apple) constitutes an anti-Christian symbol.
Tehran's Bazaar Goes on Strike as Iran's Currency Collapses
Tehran's Bazaar went on strike on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 as merchants and shopkeepers protest against the free fall of the national currency.
Algeria: Petition to #FreeYacine Zaid, Human Rights Activist
Yougourthen AYAD has started an online petition [fr] to demand that Yacine Zaid, a human rights activist be set free after he was arrested by the police in Ouargla, Algeria [fr] on October, 2nd. Yacine Zaid was allegedly hit on the face and the neck when taken. He is accused of contempt and...
