Saudi Arabia:
One of the wives of a Saudi prince is accused of human trafficking. A 30-year-old worker from Kenya flagged down a bus going to Southern California and told passengers that she had been held against her will and had been a victim of human trafficking. Soon after, the princess was arrested. The woman told authorities that she was hired in Kenya and taken to Saudi Arabia where her passport was taken from her immediately. She was forced to work long hours for little pay.
[ABC News]
Canada:
Quebec residents are told to prepare for the worst after a train derailment brings its death toll up to 20. However, 50 people may also be dead due to the fact that 30 people are still missing. CEO of the railway’s parent company places the blame on the engineer for improperly setting the breaks before the train’s derailment.
[CBC News]
Egypt:
Almost immediately after the military ousted President Mohamed Morsi, the cuts to electricity have stopped and the gas lines have disappeared. The Muslim Brotherhood and Mr. Morsi’s supporters say “the sudden turnaround proves that their opponents conspired to make Mr. Morsi fail.” Many say they see this as a “sudden improvement” for people in Egypt.
Iran:
Though not in a direct protest against President Ahmadinejad’s theocratic government, many of Iran’s music groups prefer the freedom of the underground scene. Finding it easier to express themselves without the hassles and restrictions the government places on art, groups perform in the booming underground. [CBS]
Burkina Faso:
Two students, Moctar Dembele and Gerard Niyondiko, beat 650 competitors from 40 different countries with their brilliant malaria-stopping invention. Using natural ingredients and indigenous herbs, Dembele and Niyondiko have created a soap called “Fasoap” which they say will repel mosquitos and significantly reduce the number of deaths caused by malaria. Niyondiko expresses his excitement at their victory, “It is a feeling of joy and pride for us and for Africa in general.” Congrats! [CNN]
Chile:
President Sebastian Pinera is praising a pregnant 11-year old girl who was raped by her mother’s partner. The fifth grader explained, “It will be like having a doll in my arms.” Experts worry about the physical and psychological turmoil the girl will endure because of her young age and traumatic experiences. Chile is culturally very conservative (divorce was legalized in 2004) and steadfastly opposed to abortion. [HuffingtonPost]
