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Global Quickies: 28/12/13

It’s Massacre of the Innocents Day, when millions of Catholics in Spanish-speaking countries think the appropriate way to celebrate toddlers being murdered is with pranks.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The Norwegian woman sentenced to prison for “illicit sex” after she reported a colleague raped her, has been pardoned and freed. Her rapist was also freed since a rape conviction requires either a confession or the testimony of four adult male witnesses.

ARGENTINA
Even though abortions are legal in case of rape since 2012, a judge has ordered a 14-year-old rape victim to have the baby and give it up for adoption after it’s born. The case is now in a higher court and in the Interamerican Human Right’s Commission.

SPAIN
While other countries are passing more progressive abortion laws, the ruling party in Spain is proposing restricting the existing law, which allows women to terminate their pregnancy until week 14. If the new law passes, abortions will only be permitted in cases of rape and danger to the mother’s health. Abortion in case of fetus malformation will only be allowed if it’s incompatible with life.

BRAZIL
A newborn died because her grandmother, who is a Jehovah’s Witness, did not authorize a blood transfusion that would have saved the baby’s life. The mother did ask the hospital for the transfusion but, since she’s a minor, the hospital respected the grandmother’s wishes.

SAUDI ARABIA
A judge is recommending that Raif Badawi, a blogger sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes for insulting Islam, be charged with apostasy. If found guilty, he would get the death penalty.

CHILE
Asociación Escéptica de Chile (Chile Skeptic Association) filed a complaint against Boiron for the claims made in their Oscillococcinum advertising and won!

INDIA
New video tries to send the message to men that when they gaze at women, not only are they making women uncomfortable and feel unsafe, but they look ridiculous and creepy.

ISRAEL
The speaker of Parliament refused to have a Christmas tree in the building because of the “painful memories” it evoked among Jews.

Featured image: Marte Dalelv, the Norwegian woman sentenced to jail after she reported being raped.

Daniela

Born and raised in Mexico City, Daniela has finally decided to abdicate her post as an armchair skeptic and start doing some skeptical activism. She is currently living in Spain after having lived in the US, Brazil and Italy. You can also find her blogging in Spanish at esceptica.org.

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2 Comments

  1. Has there been an update with the UAE article? I noticed the date was back in June and I didn’t see any indication in the article of a new development.

    1. You’re totally right! Sorry for the mess-up. I usually check that sort of thing, but I guess had too much eggnog.

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