Portal:Current events/2013 February 7

February 7, 2013 (Thursday)

Arts and culture

Business and economy

Irish lawmakers vote 113 to 36 to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), with Joe Higgins of the opposition Socialist Party describing the rapid developments as "chaotic". (AFP via France 24)
Sweden suspends a wolf hunting intended as a cull for the population, after an appeal by the conservationist party. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

2013 Solomon Islands earthquake: The death toll from a magnitude 8.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the Solomon Islands rises to nine, while government officials express fear regarding remote areas where emergency personnel are arriving. (Stuff.co.nz) (ABC News Australia)
Chibombo bus crash: At least 53 people are killed in a crash involving a bus and truck in Zambia. (BBC) (Irish Independent).

Health and environment

International relations

Japan scrambles its fighter aircraft to intercept two Russian SU-27 fighter aircraft, claiming that they have violated its airspace off Rishiri Island. Russia denies its aircraft entered Japanese airspace. (CNN) (BBC)
A diplomatic dispute between Romania and Hungary erupts as a Hungarian government official and the ambassador in Bucharest make commentaries that trigger large criticism from the Romanian side. (Nine O'clock)
The Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei accuses the United States of "holding a gun" to Tehran's head to pressure it to hold direct talks and states that it's very unlikely that these talks may take place. (CNN)
South Korean soldiers on the world's most heavily armed border now have orders to shoot back immediately if they come under attack. (Reuters)

Law and crime

2013 Southern California shootings: Christopher Dorner, an ex-police officer, is named a suspect wanted in connection with shootings that occurred throughout Southern California in the past week. In those shootings, three people died, including a police officer and an assistant women's basketball coach at California State University, Fullerton, and several others were wounded. (Los Angeles Times) (CNN)

Politics and elections

A major crisis deepens in Tunisia after the murder of Chokri Belaid. The leading party Ennahda states that it will not accept a new government, even if suggested by its leading member, Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali. In today's clashes at least one person died. (BBC)
UK Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove confirms that plans to replace the General Certificate of Secondary Education with a new English Baccalaureate qualification have been abandoned. (BBC)
Canadian Senator Patrick Brazeau is arrested over an incident relating to domestic violence. The ruling Conservative Party of Canada in response removes him from caucus. (CBC)

Science and technology

Sport

An investigation by the Australian Crime Commission finds that there is widespread use of illegal drugs in Australian professional sport. (ABC News Australia)
The Deutscher Fußball-Bund establishes a working group intended to help football clubs deal with the potential outing of a professional player. (The Journal.ie)