3 May 2013

Stories from 3 May 2013

Hostages and Ransom Payments: What is France's Policy?

  3 May 2013

Around three months after the French President François Hollande’s January 2013 decision to stop paying ransoms to hostage takers, the Moulin-Fournier family were finally released, to the immense relief of their family and friends. The exact circumstances behind their liberation have not been disclosed, leading many to wonder whether money was used to secure their release, and, if so, what this says about France's policy towards hostage takers.

From Russia with No Love…for Central Asia

Migrants from Central Asia and the Caucasus are the usual victims of racist sentiment in Russia. Aware of deepening anti-migrant feelings, many of Moscow's politicians promote right-wing policies. But there is one politician that always goes a step further than the rest.

VIDEO: Turkish Police Crack Down on May Day Protesters

  3 May 2013

Violent clashes between Turkish police and May Day protesters in Istanbul left 25 civilians and 22 police officers injured, including one man who reportedly lost an eye due to a teargas canister and another 17-year-old girl with head injuries who was left in a coma for a short time.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Environmental Entrepreneur

  3 May 2013

In an era where youth…are seen as being dissolute it is truly heart warming to recognise the drive and talent of this young man. Abeni salutes Kamara Jerome, a 20-year-old Vincentian entrepreneur, who won the Best Environmental Award in the Caribbean Innovation Challenge.

Turkmen Leader Falls off Horse

The Turkmen leader has recently fell off his horse after winning a race. The footage of the embarrassing incident had been made public by international media, and Turkmen dissidents are using the video as an opportunity to ridicule the president.

Singapore’s May Day Protest Against Population Policy

  3 May 2013

An estimated crowd of 5,000 gathered in Singapore’s Hong Lim Park on May 1, 2013 to protest the government’s White Paper on population. The May Day protest was the second time that a big crowd gathered in the park to speak out against the population program.

Chinese Academic Snubbed at Home, Lauded in the U.S.

  3 May 2013

An outspoken Chinese scientist who was passed over two years ago by China's Academy of Sciences has been scooped up by the United States National Academy of Sciences as a non-voting member, prompting netizens to take a harsh look at the priorities of China's academic world