The world’s tallest man, who had grown to 2.60 meters (8.5 feet) by age 44, has died from complications associated with the condition that was the cause of his ceaseless growth. Leonid Stadnyk had withdrawn from public attention after being briefly named by the Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest man in 2007. Stadnyk refused … Read more
In recent battles between the South Sudan’s government army and opposition forces, the army has used child soldiers–a violation of South Sudanese and international law–and has drawn the condemnation of Human Rights Watch. “South Sudan’s army has returned to a terrible practice, once again throwing children into the battlefields,” said the Africa director at Human Rights … Read more
The murder of Colombian radio station director and journalist Luis Carlos Cervantes by three unidentified gunmen was condemned by UNESCO’s director-general, Irina Bokova. Cervantes had reported on organized crime and corruption, and had previously faced numerous death threats. “I condemn the murder of Luis Carlos Cervantes in the strongest terms, and call on the Colombian … Read more
Warsaw has asked the European Commission to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding Russia’s ban on EU food imports. The impact of the Russian embargo is being analyzed by the EU and preliminary EU consultations about the case are already underway. “Regarding the WTO, the Commissioner informed the minister (Poland’s Marek … Read more
Instead of a group of technocrats, such as is expected to serve South Sudan as an interim government, South Sudan’s Citizens for Peace and Justice society group has proposed a “consociation” government and atypical power sharing as an alternative that may be more amenable to bringing together the conflicting factions participating in South Sudan’s civil … Read more
Russian police blocked demonstrations in Novosibisrk and several other locations of Russia Sunday. The demonstrations had been organized to call for the Russian government to observe constitutional rights in Russia. The “March for the Federalization of Siberia” was set to take place Sunday in Siberia and parts in the south of Russia, but was banned … Read more
United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron will speak on a change to UK policy making Sunday. Cameron is expected to officially admit that legislation has caused children and parents to suffer, while introducing mandatory impact assessments whereby the government must formally consider the effects of policies on families, in addition to considerations regarding cost effectiveness … Read more
China has reportedly paid tens of thousands of protesters to march against Hong Kong’s democratic movement. The rally’s organizers, Alliance for Peace and Democracy, demonstrated Sunday against Hong Kong’s Occupy Central with Love and Peace–which is proposing a change in Hong Kong’s electoral system. Eighty to 90 thousand participants took part in the Sunday afternoon protest … Read more
South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Barnaba Marial Benjamin spoke today on his return from meeting with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and East African trade bloc IGAD in Nairobi, Kenya, and stated that the UNSC and IGAD should concentrate on establishing peace in South Sudan before attempting to address human rights grievances. He also … Read more
Protesting an August 11 forced celebration, Tibetans gathered at a government office in Kardze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China, Tuesday. Chinese officials arrived and deployed tear gas and fired on the protesters. Two Tibetans were struck by the bullets. Other Tibetans were also injured in the clash, Free Tibet reported. Hundreds of Tibetans had gathered at … Read more
Russia has sent a humanitarian convoy toward Ukraine. The convoy was to cross the border Wednesday, but has unexpectedly changed course. Currently, no Russian convoy is at the planned border crossing. The current course of the convoy is unknown. The Red Cross, reported to be acting with Russia on the humanitarian mission, has stated that … Read more
A forced eviction is set to take place in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in which 20,000 people will be set upon by 10,000 military police if they fail to comply with thousands of leaflets dropped from helicopters over the region, announcing to residents that violence will be their own fault if they fail to evict themselves. … Read more