Shiite opposition loses runoff vote
Bahrain’s Shiite-led opposition lost a bid to gain control of parliament in runoff elections, state-run television reported today, citing official results.
Despite failing to win a majority, the election was being hailed as a major step forward for democracy and Bahrain’s Shiites. It was the first vote in which the opposition made a strong run in parliament after boycotting 2002 elections – the first after 26 years of direct rule by the al-Khalifa royal family.
The majority Shiites, who make up about 60 percent of Bahrain’s 700,000 residents, have long complained they are squeezed out of power by the Sunni monarchy, which dominates government.
Officials reported high turnout during Saturday’s runoff, the second time in two weeks that voters cast ballots in the country’s third elections ever.
The opposition gained two seats in the runoff for a total of 18 of the 40 seats in parliament’s elected lower house. Pro-government Sunnis gained nine seats in the runoff, for a total of 22, according to Bahrain TV.
Vatican City
Vatican blasts China for ordaining bishop
The Vatican on Saturday blasted China for ordaining another bishop without papal approval, calling it the latest in a “series of extremely grave acts” that caused Pope Benedict XVI “great sorrow.”
China’s government-backed Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association on Thursday ordained Wang Renlei, vicar-general of the Xuzhou diocese in Jiangsu province. It was the third known ordination in China this year, further aggravating tensions between Beijing and the Holy See.
Beijing broke ties with the Vatican in 1951 after the communists took power and set up a separate Catholic church outside the authority of the Holy See.
Mexico City
Calderon pledges to raise army pay
Mexico’s new president pledged Saturday to substantially raise the wages of the armed forces, calling them a crucial weapon against heavily armed drug gangs terrorizing the nation.
The move came a day after Felipe Calderon’s inauguration was marred by brawls in Congress and street protests.
Calderon won the July election by less than 1 percent of the votes over Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, or PRD.
Perth, Australia
Shark rips off part of teen tourist’s leg
A shark ripped off part of a 15-year-old tourist’s leg on Saturday as he swam at a beach in Australia’s remote southwest, officials said.
Zak Golebiowski, from South Australia state, was attacked as he bodysurfed with a brother and a friend about 40 yards offshore at Wharton Beach, said police Constable Katrina Luke.
The teen’s right leg was severed above the knee and his left leg badly mauled, but family members and witnesses on the beach managed to stem the bleeding until an ambulance arrived, Luke said.
Scientists say there is an average of 15 shark attacks a year in Australian waters – one of the highest rates in the world.