This week (Feburary 18 - 21, 2014) the top stories were injuries in west bank, Amnesty seeks more detail on Qatar deaths, Iraq government offers bounty for killing jihadists, LIbya islamist dies in plane crash, Al-Jazeera journalists deny charges in Egypt trail.
Storified by Kurtai · Fri, Feb 21 2014 20:10:44
#5 Injuries reported in Israel-Palestine clashes
Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinians after being pelted with rocks during a scuffle. After a failed attempt to disperse the riot with rubber bullets, the soldiers opened fire on the legs. 15 were injured in the skirmishes. European leaders are trying to orchestrate more talks to resolve the problems between the two groups.
This is really just another Friday for Israel and Palestine. Skirmishes like this happen all the time. The division between the two groups is only getting wider.
#4 Amnesty seeks 'more detail' on Indian deaths in Qatar
Amnesty International requested more transparent details in the deaths of workers, preparing the country for the 2022 World Cup. There is reason to believe that there is labor abuse. Over 500,000 Indian workers were contracted to work on the stadiums in Qatar. Over 460 have died in 2012 and 2013. Qatar denies any claims of abnormal death figures.
This is important because the World Cup organization is very controversial. There have been many issues of labor abuse in other World Cups. Qatar already has controversy with fears of player exhaustion, and improper facilities for tourists. This is just another problem surrounding the already plagued World Cup preparations.
#3 Iraq offers $17,500 reward for killing jihadists
Iraq officials are offering bounties for killing jihadists. There are two headquarters of the ISIS and al-Qaeda linked fighters, Ramadi and Fallujah. These cities were made famous for being hotspots during the US occupation of Iraq. The government hasn't launched an assault on those cities, and is trying to incite the population to root them out.
This is important because it will backfire. The government could lose a lot of money if people actually do respond to the offers. If people don't, it'll enrage a lot more people with the government using money to instigate the populous. Iraq is a powder keg.
#2 Libya's Meftah Daouadi killed in Tunisia plane crash
A military Antonov plane crashed outside Tripoli. The plane suffered a engine failure and crashed, killing all of the crew inside. The plane was going to deliver medical supplies and aid in Libya. An Islamist leader during the revolution against Gaddafi. He was part of the Islamist Fighting Group, which has alleged ties to al-Qaeda.
This is important because Libya has had a tumultuous time since the revolution. The Muslim Brotherhood worked their way into the new government and the loss of this leader will open a position in the government to be filled by non-radical candidate.
#1 Al-Jazeera journalists deny charges at Egypt trial
Three of the twenty journalists being held in Egypt over alleged charges of espionage have denied the charges. The three have claimed that the trial is an attack on the freedom of speech in Egypt. Al-Jazeera have come out to say that the allegations are cruel, false, and baseless. The journalists are being held in solitary confinement and haven't been given the option to talk with a lawyer.
This is important because has the elections for the a new government come closer, people will remember oppressive actions against reporters has precedent of how the government will handled it's citizens. Freedom of speech is the principal right afforded to humans. The Egyptian people have fought and bled to have a fair and just government since the overthrowing of Mumbarak, this story is not a good sign of things to come.
