Europe
European Union win Nobel Peace Prize
The European Union (EU) has won the Nobel Peace Price for its work to obtain, manage and sustain peace within Europe. The supra-national body was initially set up as a resource trade agreement and has transformed the continent “from a continent of War to a continent of peace”, the awarding committee said. The committee’s sentiment followed that despite the continent’s current social unrest and fiscal challenges, the award acknowledges over sixty years of continental peace advancements. In its history, it has adopted members from the Soviet bloc as well as fascist Spain and Portugal. It has worked to increase inclusion with a single currency zone as well as enhancing its democratic accountability. The award hasn’t gone without controversy in the past however; in 2009 US President Barack Obama won the award despite pursuing two wars.
Africa & Middle East
Botswana: Women win right to inherit
The High Court of Botswana has ruled that not allowing women to inherit family assets is unconstitutional. It is customary in Botswana to not allow women to inherit assets such as property. The constitution of Botswana upholds the equality of men and women. The BBC reported on a family of five sisters who fought for five years to gain the rightful ownership of their house. Women being unable to inherit property within African societies are not uncommon.
Syria accuse Turkey of lying over munitions import
The Syrian Defence Ministry has accused the Turkish Prime Minister for fabricating a story that Turkey forces landed a plane carrying munitions from Russia into Syria. The plane was reportedly carrying Russian made ‘defence equipment’ bound for Syrian Defence Ministry and was intercepted in Turkish airspace. The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkish security forces intercepted the plane and forced its landing. He said, “Passenger aircraft cannot carry ammunition and defence equipment […], unfortunately there was such equipment on board”. A tip off forced air control to intercept the plane which both Syria and Russia deny carried any sort of ‘defence equipment’. The UK made a similar discover off the coast of Scotland with Russian made tanks bound for Syria.
Oceania
Bali commemorates 10 years on from terror attack
Services of remembrance are being held today in Bali on the ten-year anniversary of bombings that killed over two hundred people. The act of terror was owed to Jemaah Islamiah militant group who has victims from 21 different countries. The bombs went off in tourist bars. Among the dead were 88 Australian citizens, calling the Australian Prime Minister to say that Australia and Indonesia are now “closer than we had ever been before”. The then current Australian Prime Minister John Howard and opposition leader Tony Abbott were also present today.
North America
Vice-President candidates clash in White house race
The US vice-president candidates Joe Biden and Paul Ryan went face to face last night as polls tighten and leads are being diminished in key states. Ahead of the November vote the two clashed horns over national security, health care and taxes. The race is becoming increasingly unpredictable as polls suggest that Mr Obama’s lead has been effectively erased in key swing states. It was largely considered that Romney ‘won’ the last TV debate, despite a series of gaffs highlighting that he really has no idea what he’s doing or what contrived demograph of American society he is attempting to represent.
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