Middle East
Afhgan Mosque bomb blast
A Mosque has been targeted by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, killing at least 37 people and injuring 30. The attack occurred the north of the country where prayers were being held to mark the Eid al-Adha holiday. Attacks in this part of Afghanistan are rare in comparison to the south and east regions. An eye witness told AFP, We had just finished Eid al-Adha prayers and we were congratulating and hugging each other,” and “Suddenly a big explosion took place and the area was full of dust and smoke and body parts of police and civilians were all over the place. It was a very powerful explosion.” It is not clear who carried out the attack or who it was targeting.
Ceasefire upheld in Syria
A ceasefire has been called in Syria for the four days over the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha. Both government and rebel forces have agreed to the treaty; with both saying they will retaliate if aggravated. The UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi made the proposition as part of a more substantial peace plan, after other ceasefire attempts have failed. The ceasefire does give NGOs the opportunity to undertake work previously too dangerous. However, some have suggested it will do little for the peace plan. Currently, an estimated 30,000 people have so far died since March and the UN continues its investigations into human rights abuses and war crime charges.
North America
President Obama casts vote in hometown
As the race for the Whitehouse is coming to an end and is becoming increasingly hard to call, President incumbent Mr. Obama casts his vote in his hometown of Chicago. The early vote is part of Obama’s campaign to get people to vote early. It is estimated that so far, over 7 million people have cast early votes. He is the first of the Presidential candidates to do so. Obama is on a two-day campaign across 8 states, whilst Mitt Romney is in Ohio, a state that could win the election.
Europe
Russian left-leader arrested
A leader of a left wing opposition group has been charged with planning mayhem, which could land him in prison for up to 10 years. The charge was denied in front of the Investigative Committee (SK) where he admitted his actions but argued he has not committed any crime. The prosecution argued that funds were being channelled from Georgia in a bid to create unrest. Georgia had a brief war with Russia in 2008. On a social networking site he wrote “Putin regime on trial here […] come to SK to back me and other political prisoners!” There are two other activists in custody for similar accusations, and the charges come in the wake of the controversial political prisoners Pussy Riot.
Asia
China criticise NY Times comments on leadership wealth
China has showed strong rejection of accusations made by the New York Times, saying that Premier Wen Jiabao’s relatives have made billions of dollars out of his leadership. The Foreign Ministry said the report by the newspaper had “ulterior motives”. The article has been censored in China. It argues that Mr. Wen’s family “have controlled assets worth at least $2.7bn”. It added, “Many relatives of Wen Jiabao, including his son, daughter, younger brother and brother-in-law, have become extraordinarily wealthy during his leadership.” It is strongly affirmed in academic circles that 90% of Chinese billionaires are either family members or have close friends in China’s elite politburo.
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