Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 27 Aug 2012
- 1. SYRIA: WITNESSES DESCRIBE MASSACRE
- 2. HARRY DITCHES HIS FACEBOOK PROFILE
- 3. BRANSON OFFERS TO RUN LINE FOR FREE
- 4. SAMSUNG SHARES DIVE ON IPAD RULING
- 5. STORM ISAAC DELAYS ROMNEY CONVENTION
- 6. POLICE HUNT LION SPOTTED IN ESSEX
- 7. PUSSY RIOT GIRLS FLEE RUSSIA
- 8. ‘GIVE ARMSTRONG A STATE FUNERAL’
- 9. AFGHANS BEHEADED FOR PARTYING
- 10. CHELSEA TOP BUT ARSENAL GOALLESS
1. SYRIA: WITNESSES DESCRIBE MASSACRE
Eyewitnesses have given more details of the massacre on Saturday of more than 200 people in the Sunni community of Daraya, on the outskirts of Damascus, by President Assad’s forces. One reported seeing scores of bodies, killed by gunfire and bayonets. “The regime finished off whole families - a father, mother and their children.”
2. HARRY DITCHES HIS FACEBOOK PROFILE
On the advice of his private secretary, Prince Harry has reportedly deleted his Facebook account, run under the pseudonym ‘Spike Wells’, in the wake of the naked photos scandal. The Sun reports that two of his friends, who were with the prince in Las Vegas, have also closed their accounts, as has one of Harry’s minders.
3. BRANSON OFFERS TO RUN LINE FOR FREE
Sir Richard Branson has offered to run the West Coast rail line for free to allow Parliament time to review the contentious decision to award the franchise to First Group. Branson’s Virgin Trains has argued that First Group’s winning bid of £5.5bn is so high it can never be profitable unless services are cut.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
4. SAMSUNG SHARES DIVE ON IPAD RULING
Samsung shares plunged 7% in Seoul today, wiping $12bn off the South Korean giant’s market value, after the company was ordered on Friday to pay $1.05bn in damages to Apple for copying critical features of the iPhone and iPad. Samsung will appeal the ruling, but Apple is seeking a ban on the sale of Samsung products in the US.
Samsung shares fall $12bn after Apple patent ruling
5. STORM ISAAC DELAYS ROMNEY CONVENTION
Tropical storm Isaac, expected to become a Category 1 hurricane as it makes landfall in America, has prompted the Republican Party to delay until Tuesday the opening of its convention in Tampa, Florida, which will formally nominate former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney to run against President Obama.
Can Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan weather the credibility storm?
6. POLICE HUNT LION SPOTTED IN ESSEX
Essex police with armed units and two helicopters were last night hunting a lion reported to be running loose in fields near St Osyth. Residents were ordered to stay indoors after experts from Colchester Zoo confirmed that the reports appeared to be genuine. The owner of a local circus has denied any lion has gone missing.
7. PUSSY RIOT GIRLS FLEE RUSSIA
Two members of the anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot have fled Russia to avoid prosecution for staging a protest against Vladimir Putin, the band said yesterday, and are in a country without an extradition agreement with Moscow. Three members were jailed on 17 August, and police have been hunting others in the all-girl band.
8. ‘GIVE ARMSTRONG A STATE FUNERAL’
There are calls for Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, to be accorded a state funeral in Washington DC, an honour normally only granted to former presidents. However, the astronaut who died on Saturday was notoriously reserved and it is not certain his family would accept the honour if President Obama were to offer it.
Tributes for Neil Armstrong, as astronaut dies at age of 82
9. AFGHANS BEHEADED FOR PARTYING
Fifteen men and two women found beheaded in Afghanistan’s Helmand province today were killed by the Taliban as punishment for attending a mixed-sex party, according to Reuters. They were enjoying music and dancing on Sunday night when they were attacked by the Taliban, who condemn mixed-sex get-togethers unless they're between relatives.
Seventeen beheaded by Taliban for mixed-sex dancing
10. CHELSEA TOP BUT ARSENAL GOALLESS
Premier League champions Manchester City were lucky to draw level 2-2 with a much-improved Liverpool side at Anfield yesterday. Arsenal v Stoke finished 0-0, meaning the Gunners have yet to score this season. Chelsea are top of the table having played a game more than Swansea and Everton, the only other teams to have 100% winning records.
Liverpool raise their game but Arsenal still can’t find the net
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - October 10, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - Donald's DNA, deficit blues, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Biden, Netanyahu talk ahead of Israeli hit on Iran
Speed Read The pair spoke for the first time since August
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular – an 'exhilarating and life-affirming' show
The Week Recommends 'Showstopping' set-pieces have audience in 'raptures' at Glasgow Hydro
By The Week UK Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024
Daily Briefing Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win over Haley, 'Oppenheimer' leads the 2024 Oscar nominations, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024
Daily Briefing Haley makes last stand in New Hampshire as Trump extends polling lead, justices side with US over Texas in border fight, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024
Daily Briefing DeSantis ends his presidential campaign and endorses Trump, the US and Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024
Daily Briefing Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000, top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024
Daily Briefing Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response, families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024
Daily Briefing Congress averts a government shutdown, DOJ report cites failures in police response to Texas school shooting, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 18, 2024
Daily Briefing Judge threatens to remove Trump from his defamation trial, medicine for hostages and Palestinians reach Gaza, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 17, 2024
Daily Briefing The US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a third time, Trump's second sex defamation trial begins, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published