Picking up, post-election

Transfixed by the American general election last Tuesday, the world’s media allowed a number… Transfixed by the American general election last Tuesday, the world’s media allowed a number of events also scheduled for Nov. 2 to fall through the cracks. The Pitt News is proud to pick up the pieces:

Palau, a tiny, independent South Pacific island nation with a population of 20,000, also held an election. President Tommy Remengesau Jr. fought for reelection with the campaign slogan, “Preserving the best, while improving the rest,” against businessman Polycarp Basilius.

According to a Web site that specializes in appointing birthdays to fictional characters, Nov. 2 was the Cookie Monster’s birthday.

World-famous scientist Stephen Hawking joined politicians in Trafalgar Square, London, for an event called “Naming the Dead.” Speakers read the names of 5,000 Iraqis killed since the start of the war in April 2003.

Two American states celebrated the anniversaries of their admissions to the Union, saving many people from the hassle of hoisting their flags twice. First was North Dakota, the 39th state, which joined on Nov. 2, 1889. Anyone guess the other one? That’s right, South Dakota.

Chess champion Bobby Fischer had his first extradition hearing in Japan. He is wanted by the U.S. government for violating international sanctions against Yugoslavia by taking part in a 1992 match with his old rival, the Russian Boris Spassky. The two held a historic match in 1972 at the height of the Cold War.

The U.K. Home Office deported mentally ill immigrant Bonnett Mbombila back to the Congo, even though he cannot receive the medication he requires in his home country.