Stories from 1 September 2012
Angola: Voter Silence Also Speaks
There were no serious disruptions to polling in Angola's elections today, yet a number of problems with the voting were reported by citizens. Moreover it appears that voter turnout was much lower that the 2008 election.
Russia: Activist Jailed on Trumped Up Drug Charges
Earlier this week, the list of what many are calling Russia's 'political prisoners' grew yet again. On August 28, activist Taisiya Osipova was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug possession: four years more than the prosecution had requested.
Hungary: Government Criticized for Its Handling of Ramil Safarov's Case
The extradition of Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan was based on the belief that he would continue to serve his life sentence there. After Azerbaijan gave amnesty to the convicted murderer, however, Armenia suspended its diplomatic relations with Hungary.
UAE: Iranian Translators Distort Morsi's Speech
UAE-based journalist Hassan Hassan Storfies how Iranian translators distorted Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi's speech, at the Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Tehran, replacing Syria with Bahrain and Arab Spring with Islamic Awakening.
Bahrain: Chaos in Court as Detention of Two Juveniles Is Renewed
A Bahraini judge has extended the detention of two juveniles aged 12 and 13 for an additional seven days on charges of arson and illegal assembly. The renewal is the third since their arrest and means that the duo will have been detained for 28 days by the time of their next hearing.
Saudi Arabia: Trial Challenged by Prominent Human Rights Reformists
"Abdullah al-Hamid turned the hearing session today into a lecture about the rights of the accused and the principles of justice. It will go down in history"
French Coach Appointed to Change Kenyan Football Fortunes
Football Kenya Federation has appointed former French footballer and coach Henri Michel as national team coach. After a string of bad results, officials are looking for a turnaround in time for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup.
South Africa: Speakers at Highway Africa 2012
Here is a list of some of the Speakers at the Highway Africa and Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) conference in Grahamstown, South Africa, which takes place on 9-12, September, 2012.
Mexico: Court Rejects Challenge to Overturn Presidential Election
The Mexican Federal Electoral Tribunal has finally ruled that the Presidential election of 2012, in which Enrique Peña Nieto (PRI) was declared winner, won't be overturned. Various reactions (discontent and joy) invade social networks while protesters get ready to demonstrate.
Philippines: Plastic Ban Map
A google map page shows the cities and municipalities in the Philippines which have banned the use of plastic in commercial establishments.
Thailand: Concern About Human Rights Violations
The Asian Legal Resource Centre calls on the Government of Thailand to carefully examine the practices and policies extant inside the security forces to ensure that “duty” does not stand as justification for inhumane treatment, torture, or murder. Thailand is urged to look into the rising cases of extrajudicial killings...
Malaysia Says It Set World Twitter Record on Independence Day
Malaysians sent 3.6 million twitter messages using the hashtag #merdeka55 during the August 31 Independence Day celebration. Malaysia believes it set a new world twitter record for the most number of twitter messages sent in one hour.
France: New Pro-Roma Employment Policy Strikes a Nerve
'The 4,395,000 French "job seekers" will be happy to learn that the Roma job problem has been solved!!! Their access to work will be "helped".'
