It was reported in Japan that a 10-year-old girl was extorted out of ¥100,000 ($1108) by eight schoolmates. She had reported the matter to the board of education in Kitakyushu, southern Japan, as “financial trouble” rather than bullying. In related news, Santa Claus received an early Christmas letter from the USA with "electoral trouble" written on the front.

Academics and analysts said on Friday that black candidates in the U.S. midterm elections moved toward the political center, seeking more votes in the process, the move to the centre meant praising Jay-Z for his moderation and bipartisanship with Nas and dissing 50 Cent for his extremism.

Embattled Sydney-based Muslim cleric Sheik Taj Din al-Hilali vowed he will not resign, complaining he is a victim of media propaganda and exaggeration. Newspaper commentators shot back by calling his comments 'immodestly dressed' and he was some 'uncovered meat' for their newscycle fodder.