February 11, 2013
Pope Benedict VXI has resigned due to his declining health at age 85. This will be the first papal resignation in 600 years, and the new Pope is expected to be elected before Easter. The last Pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415 during a schism within the Catholic Church. Everyone from the Pope’s closest aides to government leaders was surprised at the decision, having not been conferred with whatsoever by the Pope. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21411304
Kenya held its first presidential debate between its eight candidates. The debate was broadcast on 42 local radio and TV stations. The favorites for the presidency are Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Uhuru Kenyatta. Kenyatta faces trial for crimes against humanity in connection with the 2007 election riots, so there is some irony there. Read more at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21410397
Thirty-six people were killed in a stampede at a train station in the northern Indian city of Allahabad The stampede is believed to have been cause by too many people being on the platforms – those killed were among approximately 30 million Hindu pilgrims attending the Kumbh Mela festival, which is held every 12 years. The pilgrims had traveled to Allahabad for the festival, which is held every 12 years for 55 days, and were returning home after the sixth bathing day. The head of the festival organizing committee resigned after the stampede. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-21406879
February 12, 2013
The UN Security Council strongly condemned the third nuclear test carried out by the North Korean military. UN chief Ban Ki-Moon told the Council that the test was a “clear and grave violation” of the ban on testing missile technology, prompting the Council to begin work on counter-active measures. Pyongyang had said that the tests were responses to hostility from the US . President Barack Obama has spoken to the South Korean president Lee Myung-bak to begin to coordinate a response to this possible threat. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21429544
February 13, 2013
Murder suspect Christopher Dorner, 33, was found dead in a cabin near Big Bear, California. A driver’s license identified the body as Dorner. A shoot-out between Dorner and police officers had occurred before a single gunshot was heard from inside the house and the house was set ablaze. Dorner, who had been fired for making false statements against a fellow LAPD officer, was suspected of three murders: the daughter of the former police captain who represented Dorner in his hearing, her fiancé, and a fellow police officer. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21437322
In Thailand, 16 troops were reportedly killed in a recent clash with government troops in Narathiwat province. These deaths are only the most recent in the southernmost region of Thailand, which has been experiencing social unrest over the past few years. Wednesday’s attack, however, has been the largest so far. The militants reportedly approached a military base where the soldiers were waiting for them after being tipped off about the attack. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21437938
A NATO air strike in Kunar province in Afghanistan killed 10 civilians. Three Taliban leaders as well as women and children were reported amongst the dead. The air strike occurred within hours of President Obama’s announcement to withdraw half of the American troops stationed in Afghanistan by 2014. Read more at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21439830
February 14, 2013
Oscar Pistorius, a South African Olympic/Paralympic athlete known as the “blade runner” for his prosthetic legs, is being held for suspected murder of his 23-year-old girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp. Steenkamp was found in Pistorius’ home in a gated community on the outskirts of the South African capital. She is reported to have had four bullet wounds to the head and upper body, and forensic investigations are still under way. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21459240
A report on the controversial demonstrations in Burma over a copper mine on November 29, 2012, now states that white phosphorus grenades were used to disperse the crowds. The white phosphorus burned through the clothes, skin, and flesh of many of the protestors, a majority of whom were Buddhist monks. Much controversy has been sparked over the investigation of the violent dispersal of protestors. Read more at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21455087
Protests in Bahrain have led to the death of a 16-year-old boy who reportedly died when a police officer shot him in the stomach at close range. The authorities claim that the protestors had attacked them with a variety of weapons including metal rods and Molotov cocktails. When warning shots did not disperse the oncoming crowd, officers opened fire to protect themselves. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21450053
The Islamist militant group al-Nusra Front is believed to have captured the town of al-Shaddada, a Syrian oil town near Hasaka. A video of their victory was posted on social media sites. The attack reportedly killed 30 al-Nusra fighters as well as over 100 Syrian soldiers and civilians. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21460629