Guinea Junta Leader Shot By Own Aide

Guinea’s military leader, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, was shot and wounded by one of his aids today. Aboubacar “Toumba” Diakite is believed to be responsible for the attack and is said to have been arrested. Officials say Camara is doing well, BBC News.

The death toll from this morning’s bomb attack in Somalia has risen to at least 19. Four government ministers were killed in the suicide attack, which has been condemned worldwide. Government officials say they believe Islamist militants al-Shabab are responsible, BBC News.

Jewish organizations are siding with the Muslim world over the outrage caused by the Swiss ban on constructing minarets (architecture commonly seen on mosques). The ban was passed after 57 percent of the Swiss population voted in favor, but the country is receiving worldwide heat and many are saying the ban is discriminatory. Italy is also considering introducing a ban on minarets, Jerusalem Post.

The U.S. Senate has passed an amendment to the health care bill that expands women’s access to things such as mammograms, which are preventive services, CNN.

H1N1 Fears Keep Hajj Turnout Low

The Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims make at least once in their lifetimes, began today amid heavy rains, BBC News. Pilgrims from Egypt were required to receive the H1N1 swine flu vaccine before beginning the journey, Voice of America. Complete coverage from CNN.

The Bariyapur festival, a celebration of Gadhimai, a Hindu goddess of power that is held every 5 years, has begun in Nepal. Over 200,000 animal sacrifices will be conducted during the festival. The festival has grown in recent years in Nepal because many of its neighboring countries have banned animal sacrifice, Associated Press.

The death toll from the pre-election massacre in the Philippines has risen to 57. A group was going to register file election paperwork for the office of governor of Maguindanao for  Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu’s wife and sisters were among the group as well at least 12 journalists. Mangudadatu had been warned not to file the papers himself, CNN.

U.S. President Barack Obama will give a speech on Tuesday, December 1 about U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan. Obama is expected to announce that he will send more American troops to Afghanistan, Reuters.

Death Toll From D.C. Metro Crash Rises to Six

The death toll from the train crash in Washington, D.C. hours ago has risen to six. The toll makes the crash the deadliest in the history of the Metro. Officials have said 70 were treated with injuries, and 50 of those had only minor injuries, Washington Post.

President Sarkozy of France spoke out at a special parliament session in Versailles against burkas, the full-length garments worn by Muslim women. Sarkozy has come out in favor of banning burkas in France as he feels that “the burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience.” The speech was the first made to the French parliament since the 19th century, BBC News.

Four thieves in Somalia who stole three mobile phones and two guns have been sentenced by a Sharia court in a harsh way – they will each have one arm and one leg amputated, in public. The al-Shabab group uses the punishment frequently, but almost never in the capital city of Mogadishu, where the trial took place. Amnesty International remarked that the four were not given a fair trial, BBC News.

The death of a young woman named Neda in Tehran has captured the world. Videos of Neda dying from a gunshot wound to the chest have circulated virally and have been shown on major news networks. The Los Angeles Times has a wonderful story on her here.