TresSugar

New Prime Minister Could End Political Violence in Zimbabwe

LibertySugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:30:25 -0800

After 11 months of devastating violence, Zimbabwe's waring factions came together in a sign of unity today. President Robert Mugabe presided over the swearing in of his nemesis, Morgan Tsvangirai, who became prime minister.

Last March, Tsvangirai ran against Mugabe for the presidency. Tsvangirai claimed victory, but Mugabe would not give up his seat, and held a discredited run-off election. Since then civilians have suffered horrific violence, usually at the hands of Mugabe-controlled security forces.

Today, Tsvangirai presented his intention to turn the page. After his rival swore him in, he declared:

We must build on this unity by turning our swords into plowshares. . . . Political violence must end today. We can no longer afford brother against brother because one happened to have a different political opinion. I can assure that the culture of impunity and violation of human rights must end, and it must end today.

Hopefully, this power-sharing deal will prevail as a powerful example for other places suffering political violence.

View 5 Photos ›

Source

Front Page: Study Pegs Afghanistan as Crisis, State Ownership of Banks Considered, Zimbabwe's Inflation Hits Extreme High

CitizenSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:00:26 -0700

Study Pegs Afghanistan Crisis:
A report by US intelligence agencies says Afghanistan is in a "downward spiral" and injects doubt over the ability of the Afghan government to overcome the Taliban's influence. The strength of the government has been severely compromised by corruption within Karzai's administration. The conclusions of the report indicate it should have been central to the war on terror, an effort now in need of more international troops.

State Ownership of Banks Considered:
The White House is considering ownership stakes in some US banks as a way of stemming the severe global credit crisis. Though no decision has been made, the $700 billion Bailout Bill allows the Treasury Department to get ownership stakes in financial institutions in exchange for the bailout.

Zimbabwe's Inflation Hits Extreme High:
The official annual inflation rate of Zimbabwe has hit 231,000,000 percent. The new astronomical number is up from 11,000,000 percent a year ago. The power-sharing deal between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai did little to reverse the downward spiral of the economy. The UN estimates two million people are in need of food aid, a number that will rise to half the population by early next year.

Source

Cows Become Currency in Zimbabwe

LibertySugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:30:59 -0700

A Zimbabwe school is telling parents that if they can't scrape up enough money, they should pay tuition with livestock or fuel coupons. Thanks to insane inflation, parents are short on cash. School fees are about 100,000 Zimbabwe dollars, but banks only let people withdraw 1,000 Zimbabwe dollars a day. In addition, the official inflation rate this year is 11,000,000 percent.

Even though school officials say the in-kind tuition deal idea came from the parents, residents are asking the government to step in a stop the program. Many worry that the teachers or headmasters are getting a windfall from the practice.

Since the money crisis has been turning people into vegetarians, it makes some sense they are giving up their livestock. Maybe President Bush should tell Congress that they better pass the bailout soon, or the US will soon be using cows as its currency.

Source

Front Page: Fed Pumps in Money, Petraeus Leaves Iraq, Rivals Sign Power Sharing Agreement

CitizenSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:00:17 -0700

Fed Pumps in Money:
The Federal Reserve has added $70 billion of reserves into banks, the largest cash infusion since the attacks of 9/11. They're hoping to reverse a surge in borrowing costs caused by the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Meanwhile, stocks in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong all fell sharply.

Petraeus Leaves Iraq:
Gen. David Petraeus has handed over command of the US military in Iraq to Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno amid praise from Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Upon leaving, Petraeus said, ". . . the reality is that there has been significant progress but there are still serious challenges.” His successor Odierno warned of the progress saying, "gains are fragile and reversible."

Rivals Sign Power Sharing Agreement:
And end to 28 years of uninterrupted power, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has signed an agreement with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to divide the responsibilities for the troubled country. Mugabe said of the plan, “we are committed to the deal. We will do our best, and Tsvangirai said it means he, “sees the return of hope to all our lives.” Among the audience watching the signing were many opposition workers who had been in hiding after government sponsored violence forced them to flee.

Source

Front Page: Hurricane Ike Tonight, English Channel Fire Burns, Zimbabwe Rivals Strike Power Agreement

CitizenSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:00:51 -0700

Hurricane Ike Tonight:
Hurricane Ike is expected to make landfall with a direct hit to Galveston and Houston, with a population of 5.6 million. The National Hurricane center was crystal clear with their warning for evacuation: "Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single family one- or two-story homes will face certain death." Forecasters expect water 22 feet above sea level.

English Channel Fire Burns:
Firefighters are still putting out small fires after a blaze shut down undersea traffic in the tunnel between England and France. The tunnel remains closed to train traffic after a fire broke out yesterday afternoon in a truck aboard a 30-car shuttle train. The fire is the most serious incident since the tunnel opened in 1994.

Zimbabwe Rivals Strike Power Agreement:
President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have agreed to a power-sharing deal after more than a month of discussion. Though specific details of the deal have not been released, the fact that Mugabe has released any authority signals a loosening of his grip over Zimbabwe. Worry remains that the deal has too much crossover power to grant the country the stability it needs.

Source

Front Page: US Clinches Relay, China Leads Medals, Zimbabwe Talks to Resume, Floods in Vietnam Kill 100

CitizenSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 07:00:41 -0700

US Clinches Relay, China Leads Medals:
The US swimming relay team broke the world record, took gold, and snatched victory from the favored French team as the oldest member of the US swimming team accomplished one of the biggest comebacks overtaking the French team in the last few meters of the relay. The win keeps Michael Phelps dream of winning eight Olympic golds alive. In the overall medal count, China is in the lead with nine golds and 14 medals, South Korea is second in gold, and the US is third with three golds and but second overall with 12. President Bush attended the Games this weekend and said they exceeded his expectations.

Zimbabwe Talks to Resume:
Talks to arrange a power-sharing between Zimbabwe's governing party and opposition are due to resume in the capital today. According to President Robert Mugabe, 14 hours of talks had ended inconclusively though he remains "confident" a deal could be reached. It's thought that Mugabe may become ceremonial president while opposition leader Tsvangirai becomes executive prime minister.
Floods in Vietnam Kill 100:
At least 100 are dead and 50 missing after floods and landslides from tropical storm Kammuri battered the country over the weekend. Flash flooding reduced entire villages to rubble, and the government says more than 4,000 buildings have been flooded. Troops have been deployed in boats to reach those cut off by the waters.

For a stunning underwater photo of the swimming relay, read more.

Source

AIDS Group Says Zimbabwe Using Rape As a Tool of Terror

LibertySugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:15:57 -0700

The Zimbabwe government's youth militia use the most horrific tactic - rape - as a tool to terrorize those suspected of sympathizing with the opposition. President Robert Mugabe's ruling party has been carrying out a campaign of political terror since opposition supporters contested his election.

Today's New York Times paints a graphic picture of how many of Zimbabwe's women have been abused, humiliated, and raped, often in front of their families. State hospitals have turned away rape victims, who are often in pain and bleeding, and looking to prevent pregnancy, HIV, or other STDs.

To find out how an upcoming power-sharing deal might mean the perpetrators never see justice, read more.

The advocacy group AIDS-Free World hopes that laboratory and photographic evidence of all these atrocities, along with documentation of the victims' stories, will help make a strong legal case in a potential war crimes trail down the road . . . if there is a trial.

Mugabe's party and the opposition are rumored to sign a power-sharing deal this weekend. Some believe that Mugabe's party will not agree to the deal unless it includes immunity from international justice. Should the deal include immunity from such atrocities like rape for political gains, if it means the violence will end sooner?

Source

Front Page: Cyclone Recovery to Top $1 Billion, Obama in Iraq, Zimbabwe Rivals Near Deal

CitizenSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:01:34 -0700

Cyclone Recovery to Top $1 Billion:
Cyclone recovery efforts in Myanmar are expected to top $1 billion according to a report released this morning by the UN and ASEAN. The aid will cover the still pressing needs for food, agriculture, and housing, and the country still needs everything from clean water to fishing nets and buffaloes. $178 million has been given already. The May cyclone left at least 138,000 dead or missing.

Obama Arrives in Iraq:
Barack Obama met today with Iraqi officials and military commanders about the conflict in Iraq - the ending of which he's made a feature of his campaign. In Basra, Obama met with US, UK, and Iraqi military leaders before traveling to Baghdad, where he is to meet Gen. David Petraeus and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Zimbabwe Rivals to Meet:
The ruling party of Robert Mugabe who won last month's contested and violent election, and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are expected to sign a deal planning talks to end the political crisis in Zimbabwe. The deal, mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki includes the formation of a unity government and election reforms. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has just introduced a $100 billion dollar bill, as the official inflation rate surpasses 2.2 million percent.

Source

Lykkelig! Danes Top List As Happiest in a Happier World

LibertySugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:45:37 -0700

The world is happier - thanks to economic growth, democracy, and social tolerance, according to the World Values Study. The findings contradicted the assumption that regardless of changing variables, happiness remains constant.

The researchers credit relative quality of life improvements for the global rise in happiness; for example, low-income societies like China experienced economic growth while developed societies saw a rise in equality and tolerance. Denmark is currently the happiest country and Zimbabwe takes last place. Check out the pictures bellow of the happy Danes.

View 5 Photos ›

The United States ranks 16th. To find out which countries beat the US, read more.

Residents in Puerto Rico, Columbia, Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, and New Zealand all report higher rates of life satisfaction than those living in the US. What about you? How would you answer the researchers' question: All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?

Source

Front Page: Mugabe at African Union Summit, Bush Signs War Bill, India Goes Solar

CitizenSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:58:14 -0700

Mugabe at African Union Summit:
Newly sworn-in for a sixth term as president, Robert Mugabe who wrested a win from violent elections in Zimbabwe, is traveling in his official capacity. Mugabe arrived in Egypt today for an African Union summit, under pressure from the UN and his neighbors to create peace with his adversaries, perhaps difficult as world leaders have called the contest illegitimate because of bloodshed and intimidation, being neither free, fair, nor credible. The UN deputy secretary general, told the African leaders "we are facing an extremely grave crisis. This is the single greatest challenge to regional stability in Southern Africa, not only because of its terrible humanitarian and security consequences, but because of the dangerous political precedent it sets.” US Secretary of State Rice has also urged strong international action against Zimbabwe.

Bush Signs War Bill:
Moments ago, President Bush signed $162 billion war spending plan that constitutes the budget for military action in Iraq and Afghanistan for the remainder of his term. The spending plan approved by Congress also includes an increase of GI Bill college benefits, and a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits. This brings the total of money approved by Congress to more than $650 billion in the past five years.
India Goes Solar:
The Indian government has just announced a plan to confront the threat posed by climate change. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the plan focuses on sustainable sources of energy and that the development of India's capacity to tap solar power would be central to the strategy. Though India's carbon emissions are predicted to rise, Singh says of the plan, "our vision is to make India's economic development energy efficient. Our people have a right to economic and social development and to discard the ignominy of widespread poverty."

Source