Portal:Current events/2014 October 4

Current events of October 4, 2014 (2014-10-04) (Saturday)

Armed conflicts Syrian civil war The Kurdish city of Kobane in the Raqqa governate is on the brink of catastrophe as ISIL fighters besiege the city. (The Guardian) International relations Sweden's new centre-left government creates a surprise by announcing that the country will recognise the state of Palestine, and becomes the first European country to do so while a member of the European Union. (Euronews) Politics and elections After counting special votes from the 20 September New Zealand general election, the National Party loses its one-seat majority after losing a seat to the Green Party. With the support of ACT and United Future, National still forms a government, albeit a minority government. (NZ Herald) Latvian parliamentary election, 2014 Latvia votes in a parliamentary election; Laimdota Straujuma's centre-right government keeps its majority. (Euronews) Jean-Claude Duvalier (Baby Doc), leader of Haiti from his father's death in 1971 until his overthrow by a popular uprising in 1986, dies of a heart attack. (CNN) Sports Despite ending their 22-match unbeaten streak after losing to South Africa, New Zealand win the 2014 Rugby Championship in rugby union. Also on the final day of the tournament, Argentina defeat Australia for their first win in the competition since joining it in 2012. (BBC, South Africa–New Zealand) (BBC, Argentina–Australia) The 2014 Asian Games concludes in Incheon, South Korea with China gaining the most medals. (The Express Tribune)