ZIMBABWE:
As Zimbabweans flock to the polls to cast their ballots (pictured above) in the country’s presidential election,President Robert Mugabe, who has reigned for 33-years, claims he has never rigged an election. International skepticism surrounds the 89-year-old candidate’s claims, as the southern African country has been under scrutiny, especially since the 2008 election in which 86 people were killed and 200,000 were displaced. Mugabe’s opponent for the third time, Morgan Tsvangira, has survived multiple assassination attempts over the years and hopes third time’s the charm. [NBC]
SYRIA:
According to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, things in Syria are going splendidly. His Instagram reveals that his PR team would prefer to ignore the astronomical death toll of over 100,000, the 1.8 million displaced people, and the destroyed cities. The pictures seem pretty eerie to us. [HuffingtonPost]
SAUDI ARABIA:
A Saudi Arabian man has been sentenced to 600 lashes and seven years in prison for creating a liberal blog that allegedly violates the country’s anti-cybercrime law. The deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, Nadim Houry, stated in response to Raif Badawi‘s punishment: “this incredibly harsh sentence for a peaceful blogger makes a mockery of Saudi Arabia’s claims that it supports reform and religious dialogue.” Badaw’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, and three children have moved to Lebanon because the stigma at home was unbearable. Haidar struggles daily to explain to her children where their father is. [CNN]
IRELAND:
Ireland has signed its first abortion bill into law. The conservative Catholic country has been historically opposed to abortion, but since a 31-year-old was denied an abortion and died after having a miscarriage, the movement to legalize abortion has gained momentum. Surprisingly, President Michael D. Higgins chose not to allow the Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of the bill before signing it into law. The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act will authorize doctors to perform an abortion under certain conditions, such as if the mother’s life is at risk. [HuffingtonPost]
EGYPT:
Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri expressed his disdain for the United States’ treatment of Guantanamo Bay prisoners who have been on a hunger strike. On an audio recording posted to an Islamist website, al-Zawahri said the group will “spare no effort” to free Guantanamo inmates. He spoke directly to President Obama while saying the U.S. government is a “failure.” [NBC]
THAILAND:
51-year-old Bobby Ray Carter Jr. died in the hospital after a brawl with a band in a bar on the west coast ofThailand. Drunk, he wouldn’t leave the stage and was insisting on singing with the musicians. They responded by stabbing him in the chest with an iron rod. His son Adam, 27, was also present and was injured in the head. The three band members have been arrested and face charges of causing death by physical attack. [Fox]
ISRAEL & PALESTINE:
For the first time in three years, Israeli and Palestinian officials will sit down to begin formal peace discussions. Since Israel agreed to release 100 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, plans for peace talks were set in motion. The talks will begin Monday and are expected to last nine months. Representatives from Palestine, Israel, and the U.S. will be present. Though it will be difficult, officials are remaining optimistic. The American ambassador to Israel has said, “It’s been my conviction for 40 years that peace is possible.” Let’s hope he’s right. [NBC]
TUNISIA:
Though hoped to be the most successful post-Arab Spring country, Tunisia is facing challenges to democracy as al-Qaeda make themselves comfortable in the rural area near the Algerian border. Recently, two secular politicians have been killed, bombs have been detonated, and soldiers have been left to die after having their throats slit. [Fox]
