March 26, 2013:
The US Supreme Court is currently evaluating the Californian ban on same-sex marriages. Their decision could uphold the ban, overturn it, or nullify all same-sex marriage bans throughout the states. Those defending the ban are arguing that the issue should be decided by the state governments. Support for same-sex marriage, however, is rapidly increasing and may overcome ban-advocates. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21932682
Bosco Ntaganda, Congolese war crimes suspect, appeared before the International Criminal Court for the first time. He denies all accounts of war crimes and crimes against humanity and pleads not guilty. He currently faces ten counts of rape, murder, and the use of child soldiers. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21933569
March 27, 2013:
The Defense of Marriage Act (Doma) has been criticized by US Supreme Court justices. The law denies various federal benefits to same-sex couples and, according to legal analysts, may be struck down. Many have argued against its legality, and the justices appear almost befuddled as to how it was ever passed into law. A definitive decision will be released at the end of June. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21947712
Mario Torres Lopez was rescued after being trapped for 52 hours in a collapsed mine in the northern region of Chile. He was able to communicate with the outside world by banging a hammer on metal tubes running through the mine-shaft. Three years ago, 33 miners were trapped in the same region for 69 days before they were rescued. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21961761
March 28, 2013:
Chilean students clash with police in Santiago while protesting for education reforms. Petrol bombs were thrown by students; police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Violence broke out only when the authorities changed the agreed-to route, according to students, and was due to vandals, according to the police. Approximately 60 people were arrested and one policeman was injured. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21971511
March 29, 2013:
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warns that the North Korean situation has a great potential to spiral out of control. North Korea threatened to settle accounts with the United States on Thursday and claims to have put missiles on stand-by, preparing to hit the United States. Missiles are believed to be able to reach Alaska, but not the United States mainland. Guess it’s time for the re-introduction of the “duck and cover” drill and bomb shelters. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21974381
A series of bomb attacks in Baghdad and the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk resulted in the deaths of 19 people and more than 100 causalities. The attacks focused on Shia worshippers during Friday Prayers, connecting to Sunni Islamist militant claims to step up their violence towards Shia and official targets. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21973817