Posts Tagged ‘Newsflash’
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
World Coffee Conference in Guatemala – Barbara Schieber, Guatemala Times, Feb 15, 2010
This year’s conference theme is “Coffee for the future: Towards a sustainable coffee sector.” Topics will include environmental and social sustainability.
India
What an Eggplant Uproar Says About India’s Economy – Madhur Singh, Time.com, Feb 15, 2010
The GMO debate continues. There are arguments over safety, cost, regulations and the government’s motive.
Mexico
Celebrating Indigenous Culture, Zapotec Autonomy and Uncontaminated Corn – Ramor Ryan, Upside Down World – Feb 15, 2010
A small village celebrates their heritage and defends their right to live with uncontaminated crops. Communities recall and celebrate prior victories at this fourth annual international gathering.
Nepal
UN human rights office condemns threats to journalists after killing – UN, Feb 15, 2010
United Nations officials are concerned over threats being made to journalists who are following the story of Jamim Shah’s murder. Mr. Shah is a media entrepreneur who was shot on February 7th.
South Africa
Joy as siblings go to school for first time – IOL, Feb 16, 2010
An educational organization is on the lookout for children who are not enrolled in school. Parents are encouraged to enroll their children even if they lack the necessary documents.
Zimbabwe
EU imposes another year of sanctions – IRIN News, Feb 16, 2010
The European Union first imposed sanctions, such as freezing bank accounts and banning travel, in 2002. The EU will continue to extend their sanctions in Zimbabwe as long as they feel there is no progress in areas such as human rights and democratic elections.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Angels in Guatemala: Confronting a Legacy of Official Terror – by Susan Fitzpatrick-Behrens, Upside Down World, Jan 6, 2010
Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom publicly accepts a UN report that was originally rejected in 1999. The UN’s Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH) condemned the genocide perpetrated against the Maya people. The President apologized during a “Day of Dignity for the Victims of the Internal Armed Conflict.”
India
DISPLACED BY THE DAM: A lifetime’s harvest – India Together, Jan 5, 2010
After a lifelong struggle to slowly accumulate and farm his piece of land, Sitaram Paditar will lose it all to a proposed 455-foot dam. He still doesn’t understand why he will not receive compensation from the government, and has been fighting the proposal for decades.
Mexico
A Tough Year Ahead – by Emilio Godoy, IPS News, Jan 5, 2010
In an attempt to close the 23 billion dollar deficit, the government started the year off by increasing the cost of basic goods like sugar, bread, beans and fuel. The year 2009 is described as “disastrous,” and 2010 is also expected to be rough on the Mexican people.
Nepal
Rehabilitation challenge for child soldiers – IRIN News, Jan 12, 2010
As part of the ongoing peace process in Nepal as many as 3,000 young soldiers have been discharged from the Maoist army. They have been offered four different rehabilitation options, including schooling and small business training.
South Africa
Parents rush to register children for school – by Latoya Newman, IOL News, Jan 12, 2010
The great school-year rush had many children wait listed. Officials are scrambling to make sure schools will be ready to run smoothly from the first day.
Zimbabwe
AfriForum fights for Zimbabwe farmers – IOL News, Jan 12, 2010
AfriForum, a civil rights movement, has launched the first legal step to try to stop the Zimbabwe government from the land grab that is chasing white farmers off the lands and homes. Farm invaders have continued to assault and prosecute farmers who resist giving up their land.
Guatemala
Agriculture mission in Guatemala wins international acclaim – July 26, 2009, The China Post
An agricultural mission in Guatemala led by Taiwan has “won acclaim” for improving farming technology and developing small farm projects. The venture has received a lot of attention in the field of major agricultural research. Representatives from Spain and 12 Latin American countries have visited the cooperative. Taiwan’s agricultural mission teaches local farmers how to plant crops and process food. In addition, “the cooperative offers courses on how to cultivate bamboo (which is used as a key material in building classrooms and low-cost housing units).”
India
India to import food amid drought – August 21, 2009, BBC News
To make up for food shortages caused by drought, India will import food into the country. According to the Finance Minister, over 700 million people have been affected by the drought and food prices have been raised by 10%. With almost 70% of the Indian population dependent on farm incomes, the drought has affected nearly half of the districts in India.
Mexico
Politician’s slaying highlights depth of Mexico’s violence – August 21, 2009, CNN
The brutal killing of Guerrero state congressman, Armando Chavarria Barrera, is yet another demonstration of the continued violence in Mexico as a response to the country’s War on Drugs campaign. Calderon compared the murder rate in Mexico to that of other countries and according to the report, “President Calderon told Mexicans to quit bad mouthing their country”. Nonetheless, citizens remain terrified of the violence.
Mexico City bans stores from distributing plastic bags – August 19, 2009, CNN
Mexico City has become the second large metropolitan area (San Francisco was the first) that has banned retailers from using plastic bags. Leading environmentalists are calling for a global ban on plastic bags, as they are a threat to marine life and are the “second-most-common form of litter.” Some of the worst air pollution is found in Mexico City. In addition to the bag ban, officials are seeking to improve the city’s environment in other ways.
Nepal
Trade treaty likely – August 20, 2009, The Kathmandu Post
Nepalese Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal, has suggested that it is likely that India and Nepal will sign an amended trade treaty, which is said to be based on equality between the two countries. India’s Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, restated a commitment to “implement bilateral projects,” including construction of a link road in the Tarai, extension of transmission lines, and additional support from India the Naumure hydro-project.
South Africa
Sexist leaders damage women’s rights agenda – August 6, 2009, Pambazuka News
Writer, William Gumede, expresses his concern over what he calls “a deep gulf between the call for women’s equality in South Africa’s model constitution and society’s predominantly archaic public attitudes toward women.” He claims that the patriarchal society in South Africa continues to preserve inequalities between women and men and although the 2007 resolution dictates 50% female representation of the ANC, Gumede argues it has yet to be put into practice. Moreover, he maintains that women will bear a greater burden from the impacts of the current global economic crisis.
Zimbabwe
Cholera may return to Zimbabwe – August 19, 2009, BBC News
Last year’s failure to deal with the causes of Cholera have put Zimbabwe at risk for another outbreak. Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF) and the UN are warning of a potential new outbreak although Zimbabwean officials have declared the epidemic over. Over 4,000 people have died from the disease since last August and limited access to clean water is a major contributor to another possible outbreak.
Bangladesh
Some 1,000 Rohingyas evicted from makeshift huts 6/29, IRIN
Over the past two months the local authorities in Cox’s Bazaar District, southeastern Bangladesh, have torn down scores of makeshift huts belonging to an estimated 1,000 Rohingya refugees.
Acid Violence in Bangladesh 6/30, The New Nation
Acid throwing on women and girls are on the rise in Bangladesh. Acids are used to disfigure and sometimes kill women and girls. Recently a housewife sustained severe burns as her husband and mother-in-law allegedly hurled acid at her following a dowry dispute at Narayanpur in Trishal upazila.
Guatemala
Guatemalan fears a tweet will make him a jailbird 6/26, AP
Jean Anleu was so fed up with corruption in his country that he decided to vent on the Internet, sending a 96-character message on the social-networking site Twitter. That message has now earned him a potential five-year prison sentence.
Guatemala reports first death from A/H1N1 virus 6/26, Xinhua
The Guatemalan Health Ministry reported on Thursday the first death from A/H1N1 flu in the country. Currently, Guatemala is on an orange alert level and all elementary schools in the country are temporarily closed.
India
Ancient India didn’t think homosexuality was against nature 6/27, The Times of India
On a petition seeking to decriminalize homosexuality, the government said that there were “no convincing reports to indicate that homosexuality or other offences against the order of nature mentioned in Section 377 IPC were acceptable in the Indian society prior to colonial rule.” But India distanced itself from that provision when Sweden questioned its record in ensuring equality irrespective of a person’s sexual orientation.
Indian Women Protest Sex-Selective Abortions 6/26, NTDTV.com
Thousands of women hold a massive rally in India protesting against an increasing number of abortions. In some areas of India an estimated 2,000 unborn girls are illegally aborted every day, according to the United Nations.
Mexico
Mexico sends additional troops to Juarez 6/22, Press TV
Mexico sends 1,500 additional soldiers to its northern borders to contain rising drug violence after initial troop deployment failed to effectively address the problem.
Swine Flu Cases Spike in Two Mexican States 6/26, AP
Mexican health officials say swine flu cases have spiked in the southern states of Yucatan and Chiapas prompting authorities to start the summer break weeks early.
Nepal
Nepal Coalition Looks Shaky 6/29, Financial Times
Nepal’s ruling coalition was struggling for stability at the weekend. Disputes over the allocation of cabinet portfolios underscored the uneasy balance Madhav Kumar Nepal, prime minister, must strike in guiding the 22-party alliance.
Record 68 per cent students pass matric exams in Nepal 6/29, indopia.in
A record 68.47 percent of regular students passed this year’s School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations conducted by the Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE), according to officials. This is the highest percentage of students passing the SLC exams in the history of Nepal.
South Africa
Time to Rethink Testing 6/26, Plus News
It has become a given – test more people for HIV and you’ll get more people on treatment earlier, plus cut down on risky sex. But recent research on the behavior of people who test HIV negative, has led some doctors to question the testing gospel.
Research puts rural gays under spotlight 6/24, Behind the Mask
The University of South Africa (UNISA) together with Gay Umbrella, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) organization in the North West Province, have joined forces in a two year systematic research project that will provide important insights into the rural perspective of gays and lesbians.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Denies Diamond Killings 6/24, Association of Zimbabwe Journalists
A Zimbabwean minister on Wednesday denied any killings in the eastern Marange diamond fields, where rights groups have sounded the alarm over the forcible evictions of small-scale miners.
State concedes Mukoko’s abduction was illegal 6/25 SW Radio Africa News
A state prosecutor on Thursday conceded that the way human rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko was abducted by state security agents, was illegal. The 53 year-old former news reader has taken her case to the Supreme Court, seeking a permanent stay of her prosecution.
Bumper crop, but Zimbabwe hungry 6/25, BBC
Some three million people face hunger in Zimbabwe, despite a significant rise in food production, the UN says. Good rainfall over the past year has boosted production of the staple crop, maize, by 130% to 1.1m tonnes, but about 2.8m people will still face food shortages this year
Global
The World Financial Meltdown: What now for African women? 6/25, Pambazuka News
It is feared that the current crisis will result in reversal in achievements made under the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs) and human rights in Africa. This is particularly true for African women who for a long time have been the face of poverty in Africa.
Global Finance Ignores World’s Poor 6/24, Al Jazeera English
As government officials from around the world descend on New York this week for a UN conference on the economic crisis and its impact on development, the main issue up for debate is how the poorest countries can influence the way the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank operate.
Bangladesh
HR Watch for disbanding DGFI Rab 5-19-09 The Daily Star
Human Rights Watch has recommended the disbanding of the Rapid Action Battalion and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, terming them symbols of abuse and impunity in a report released yesterday.
World Bank helps Bangladesh control air pollution 5-13-09 Reuters
The World Bank approved on Wednesday a $62.2 million credit to help Bangladesh to control urban air pollution through cutting emissions in key polluting sectors such as transport and brick-making.
Guatemala
Guatemala’s Dirty War 5-18-09 ZNet
Guatemala released secret NCP files on suspected “subversives”. Other files, released from the Military Archives, implicate the military’s high command in their planning and execution.
Guatemalan protests as leader faces murder claims 5-14-09 AFP
Angry crowds marched in downtown Guatemala City, some demanding the resignation of President Alvaro Colom and others defending him against accusations of murdering a prominent lawyer.
India
Development trumps regional issues in Indian vote 5-18-09 Reuters India
Millions of Indians appeared to have jettisoned caste and linguistic identities to vote for good governance in India’s general election, which may change policies to win over voters, analysts said.
India rupee posts biggest gain in 11 yrs after poll 5-18-09 Reuters India
The Indian rupee surged over 3 percent on Monday, posting its biggest gain in more than a decade on hopes for reforms, foreign inflows and a massive jump in the share market after the ruling coalition swept national polls.
Mexico
Mexico Faces Downgrade After ‘Very Complacent’ Decade 5-12-09 Bloomberg
Mexico’s credit rating may be cut as the global recession exposes the government’s failure to raise taxes and ease its dependence on oil income, according to Credit Suisse Group AG and UBS AG.
Guerrillas, narcos, Washington, and the ghosts of 1910 5-14-09 Frontera NorteSur
A guerrilla group made allegations that the government was supporting the Sinaloa Cartel, as the U.S. Congress is considering a $470 million Drug War request by the Mexican government.
Nepal
Political impasse delays humanitarian assistance 5-15-09 IRIN
The ongoing political impasse in Nepal has affected the flow of humanitarian assistance and development work, local and international aid workers say.
Experts call for climate change adaptation plans 5-8-09 IRIN
Nepal is one of a number of South Asian countries directly affected by global warming: Local experts warn that climate change adaptation plans urgently need to be put in place.
South Africa
Minister Moves to Ease Relationship With Traditional Leaders 5-18-09 BusinessDay
A traditional leaders’ institution would be established to improve ease tensions between elected public officials and traditional leaders on rural development issues.
Huge Fire Kills Seven in South Africa 5-16-09 Shabelle Media Network
At least seven foreign and South African people have died and more others injured after enormous fire burnt a shop in Cape Town overnight.
Zimbabwe
International Relations Move From Freezer to Fridge 5-18-09 IRIN
A defrosting of relations combined with a financial mechanism designed to avoid donor money flowing through the hands of ZANU-PF is gently prising open the door for assistance.
Environment Conservation Proves Tough Call 5-14-09 Financial Gazette
While a decade of economic decay has exerted pressure on the environment as well as pushing marginalized communities into abject poverty, conserving what is left is proving to be a tough call.
Prominent Human Rights Lawyer Arrested 5-14-09 AP
A prominent Zimbabwean human rights lawyer was arrested Thursday at a court in Harare, colleagues said. Alec Muchadehama was arrested at a magistrates court where he had gone to work.
General
Grain crisis and political economy of a new scramble for Africa 5-14-09 This Day
A far-reaching crisis in the financial systems of the developed world and food security in many Asian countries is compelling them to seek land elsewhere. Africa is the choice continent, but it is brittle.
Turning Agriculture into a Business 5-14-09 API
A plan by the Africa Commission to side-step African governments and target the private sector to invigorate the continent’s business and agricultural capacity was launched in Copenhagen, on 6 May.
LGBTI Activists Optimistic about Progay Resolution 5-15-09 Pambazuka
African LGBTI human rights defenders are optimistic that a resolution to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Africa will be adopted by the African Commission.
Guatemala
Intl Women’s Meeting in Guatemala – Prensa Latina – 10 May 09
Women Redefining Democracy for Peace, Justice and Equality Conference begins in Antigua, Guatemala Sunday, with some 130 women delegates attending, four of them Nobel Prize winners.
Guatemalan Closing Indigenous Gap – Prensa Latina – 8 May 09
The forum for the 32nd Meeting of the Direction Council of the Fund for Development of the Indigenous People in Latin American and the Caribbean, gathered representatives of different Latin American and Caribbean ethnic groups who prepared proposals of political inclusion and their demands to their respective governments.
Mexico
Mexico’s schools cleaned, ready to resume classes – Signonsandiego.com – 11 May 09
Mexico’s primary schools and kindergartens are ready to welcome back millions of students on Monday.
Mexico drug violence rises on border despite army – Reuters – 11 May 09
Killings between rival drug cartels are rising again in Ciudad Juarez despite a massive army deployment.
India
In Punjab, Crowding Onto The Cancer Train – NPR – 11 May 09
Researchers in India found that farming villages using large amounts of pesticides have significantly higher rates of cancer than villages that use less of the chemicals.
Kashmir strike mars India polls – Aljazeera.net – 7 May 09
The fourth phase of voting in India’s month long general election is taking place, with 85 seats up for grabs in seven states. Heavy security has been deployed for polling in the Kashmir valley, the disputed northern Himalayan region claimed by both India and Pakistan.
Nepal
Nepal parliament to pick new prime minister – Reuters – 10 May 09
Nepal’s President Ram Baran Yadav asked the Himalayan nation’s parliament on Sunday to elect a new leader to replace Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda who resigned last week after failing to sack the army chief.
Experts call for climate change adaptation plans – IRIN – 8 May 09
Nepal is one of a number of south Asian countries directly affected by global warming, especially in mountainous regions. Local experts warn that climate change adaptation plans urgently need to be put in place.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh seen hit hard by global recession – EU – Reuters – 7 May 09
Bangladesh’s economy, particularly exports and remittances, could be hit hard in the next fiscal year, beginning in July, due to the global recession, EU officials in the south Asian country said on Thursday.
Bangladesh seeks foreign aid to dredge silted rivers – The Hindu – 7 May 09
Bangladesh has sought foreign aid to dredge all its rivers and has told prospective donors that funds provided would be properly used.
South Africa
More Women Make Up New Cabinet – allAfrica.com – 10 May 09
Fourteen Ministers and 12 Deputy Ministers are women, putting the representation in the new Cabinet at almost 42%.
Zimbabwe
Police Swoop On Zimlnd Offices – allAfrica.com – 9 May 09
Officers from the Police Law and Order Section were sent in with orders to arrest two editors of the Zimbabwe Independent over a story published on Friday naming Central Intelligence Organization officers and police officers who were allegedly involved in the abduction of human rights and MDC activists in November last year.
Govt Gets Seven-Day Ultimatum – allAfrica.com – 09 May 09
Civil servants have given government a seven-day ultimatum to address their demands for more realistic salaries or risk a crippling strike.
Don’t Abuse Visa-Free Scheme – Mohadi – allAfrica.com – 7 May 09
Zimbabweans can obtain a free visitor’s permit at the border or airport that entitles them to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days, but Home Affairs Co-Minister Kembo Mohadis warns against abusing the new system.
Zimbabwean migration camouflages human traffickers – IRIN – 1 May 09
The southern African spokesman for the International Organization for Migration stated that conditions at the South African and Zimbabwe border are ideal for human traffickers.
General
Foreigners Lead Global Land Rush – IPS – 5 May 09
More than 20 million hectares of farmland in Africa and Latin America are now in the hands of foreign governments and companies, a sign of a global “land grab” that got a boost from last year’s food crisis.
Mexico
Hog Flu Vaccination Aborted in Mexico – Prensa Latina – 26 Apr 09
Government in the DF aborted a mass vaccination campaign against the hog flu, because it will not stop the outbreak of the new virus that is affecting the Mexican capital and other regions of the country.
Guatemala
Central American Vice-Presidents to Meet in Guatemala – Prensa Latina – 23 Apr 09
The VPs are to discuss programs and actions to promote transparency in the region.
Today starts Free Access to public information – Guatemala Times – 21 Apr 09
Law establishing free access to public information from all government institutions has recently gone into effect.
India
India holds second election day – BBC – 23 Apr 09
Second phase of voting took place today and counting is due on May 16.
Nepal
72,000 hectares forest destroyed – eKantipur.com – 26 Apr 09
Fires have hit at least 13 districts, killing 5 people and destroying more than 72,000 hectares of forest.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh power crunch shuts fertilizer plants – Reuters – 27 Apr. 09
Bangladesh has closed all three state-run fertilizer factories to divert gas to power plants to boost electricity generation.
Diarrhea near epidemic in Bangladesh heatwave – AFP via Google news – 27 Apr 09
Cases of diarrhea in Dhaka are reaching epidemic levels, according to a health expert, as the Bangladeshi capital is facing record temperatures, a severe water shortages and power cuts.
Senegal
Fines to fight malaria – IRIN – 24 Apr 09
Can ‘Green Charcoal’ Help Save the Trees? – allAfrica.com – 20 Apr 09
An environmental NGO in northern Senegal is about to go to market with “green charcoal” – a household fuel produced from agricultural waste materials to replace wood and charcoal in cooking stoves.
South Africa
ANC Scores Another Victory: Now Deliver, Voters Say – IPS – 24 Apr 07
As results from South Africa’s April 22 elections come in, the ruling ANC is poised to return to power in the 400 seat National Assembly.
Zimbabwe
Who Speaks for the People on New Constitution? – IPS – 27 Apr 09
Messages declaring that the people of Zimbabwe will write their own constitution can be found throughout Harare as part of a campaign launched by the National Constitutional Assembly to oppose the constitution-making process proposed by the coalition government.
Anderson Manyere, “I Would Only Be Given Two Liters of Water a Week” – IRIN – 23 Apr 09
Freelance journalist Anderson Manyere who had been detained since December 2008 was released this month.
Wild Animals Compete for Scarce Crops – IRIN -22 Apr 09
Food shortages in Zimbabwe’s North Province are being compounded by elephants eating and trampling the villagers’ crops.
General Interest
Analysis: IMF relevant again, will big plans work? – Associated Press – 25 Apr 09
As the IMF begins rolling out ambitious plans to help jump start the economy, this article asks if the agency is up for the task.
“Poor Countries Struggle to Mainstream Gender in Trade” – IPS – 24 Apr 09
Discussion with UNCTAD officer Simonetta Zarrilli about how trade policies affect women’s livelihoods.
A G8 on agriculture without farmers = more hunger and poverty – Via Campesina – 21 Apr 09
Press release from La Via Campesina regarding the recent G8 meeting on Agriculture in Cison di Valmarino.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh PM to seek more Saudi jobs for expats – Reuters India – 20 Apr 09
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaves for Saudi Arabia on Monday to push for more jobs for expatriate workers.
Bangladesh unveils 500-mln-dlr stimulus package – AFP via Yahoo News – 19 Apr 09
The Government will pump an extra 500 million dollars into the economy over the next 10 weeks according to finance minister A.M.A Muhith. About half the money will be used in the agricultural sector.
India
The biggest democratic exercise, Part Two – Aljazeera.net – 19 Apr 09
Video program, Listening Post, travels to New Delhi to investigate the influences of political parties, media, and corporations on the country’s electoral process.
508 Nominations for 25 seats – Times of India – 19 Apr 09
More than 250 candidates filed their papers on Saturday, the last day of filing nominations. This took the total number of candidates contesting for the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state of Rajasthan to 508.
Nepal
India alarmed as Maoists resume war on Nepal Army – The Hindu – 20 Apr 09
India’s ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood met Maoist PM Pushpa Kamal after indications that recent feuds between the government and the Nepal Army might lead to a resumption of war.
Government inaction exacerbates insecurity – IRIN – 15 Apr 09
Human rights groups in the country are warning that the country is seeing an increased culture of impunity for human rights abuses.
Guatemala
Guatemalan gangster arrested in 60 bus killings – Associated Press – 16 Apr 09
Guatemalan police have arrested a gang member accused of being behind the killings of 60 bus drivers and assistants.
Mexico
The Week in Mexico – SignonSandiego.com – 19 Apr 09
Mexico news in brief including President Obama’s trip to Mexico and union protests in Michoacán.
Senegal
Senegal’s lifeblood drains away – BBC – 10 Mar 09
Remittances to the country have decreased in both their amounts and their frequency because of the continuing international financial crisis.
South Africa
Over 300 International Observers to Oversee Electoral Process – allAfrica.com – 17 Apr 09
Sixteen observer teams including representatives form the Commonwealth, the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the Senegal People Development Institute and the SADC Electoral Forum will be overseeing Wednesday’s election.
A Century of Deafness to Facts About Lung Disease in Miners – allAfrica.com – 17 Apr 09
Opinion piece urges action on the part of government and the mining sector to address the prevalence of tuberculosis amongst miners.
‘Still Not Enough’ Women in Key Posts in Private Sector – allAfrica.com – 17 Apr 09
Government departments and state-owned enterprises have outdone the private sector in appointing women to key positions in the workplace, according to the Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) census released yesterday.
Father Adrian, ‘She literally had to run from the graveyard’ – IRIN – 13 Apr 09
A Catholic priest who established a shelter in Musina, South Africa speaks about some of the experiences of the Zimbabwean women and children he encounters their.
Zimbabwe
GNU Crisis Meeting Deadlocked – allAfrica.com – 16 Apr 09
President Mugabe and PM Tsvangirai together with the vice-presidents and deputy prime ministers on Thursday held a crisis meeting in Harare, which failed to resolve outstanding issues of the global political agreement.
Tsvangirai Sets Up Farm Probe Team – allAfrica.com – 16 Apr 09
On Thursday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai appointed a ministerial team to probe claims of farm disruptions across the country. According to Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, the probes will investigate reports of new farm invasions days before the start of the winter wheat season.
Maize Producer Price Set At U.S. $265/T – allAfrica.com – 16 Apr 09
The Grain Marketing Board has announced the 2008/09 maize producer price of US$265 per ton.
Immigration Unearths Scam – allAfrica.com – 15 Apr 09
The Department of Immigration has unearthed a scam involving some officers and immigration consultants making applicants pay double or more to receive services. The Department has now banned applications for immigration services through consultants or agents.
Africa
EU-ACP Ties Threaten Regional Integration – allAfrica.com – 18 Apr 09
New ties between the European Union and the African Caribbean and Pacific Countries have a risk of undermining regional integration by fragmenting countries into numerous blocs, trade experts have warned.
Senegal
Tense elections build-up ends calmly – IRIN – 23 Mar 09
Local elections took place in Senegal on the 22nd under widespread calm according to the country’s national electoral commission.
South Africa
Women Farm-workers Threaten Election Boycott – IPS – 28 Mar 09
Women from South Africa’s three Cape provinces have marched to parliament in Cape Town to denounce the country’s “slow and unbalanced” land redistribution programme.
Will Scaling Up Pre-Positioned Food Aid Save Time and Money? – allAfrica.com – 27 Mar 09
USAID is setting up several food aid warehouses around the world this year in an effort to respond more quickly to hunger crises. While other food-aid agencies may follow suit, some experts have raised concerns about its long-term viability.
Zimbabwe
IMF Hails Fiscal Reforms – allAfrica.com – 28 Mar 09
An IMF official stated that Zimbabwe has taken steps towards re-integration in the international financial system and potentially new loans for reconstruction. The country has recently received U.S $18.7 million from the World Band and Denmark to refurbish water and sewage treatment plants.
Tsvangirai Vows to Crush Land Grabbing – allAfrica.com – 28 Mar 09
PM Tsvangirai has ordered police to arrest people spearheading the new wave of farm invasions. Tsvangirai said on Friday that the invasions were impacting negatively on agricultural production and the economy in general.
MPs Press for Affordable Passports – allAfrica.com – 27 Mar 09
Outrage over high passport, birth, and death certificate fees has spilled into Parliament with MPs demanding reductions to make them affordable to all citizens.
Declining Food Prices Force Inflation Down – allAfrica.com – 26 Mar 09
Official figures showed a decline in month-to-month inflation for the first time since July 2006.
Turning Waste into Fertilizer - allAfrica.com – 27 Mar 09
Two NGOs teamed up with local residents in several Zimbabwe communities earlier this year and started up sustainable waste management programs. The program includes backyard composting and small-scale gardening.
Africa
Requests for Asylum Rise 82 percent, Says UN Body – allAfrica.com – 26 Mar 09
A UNHCR report said the number of people seeking asylum rose last year for the second year in a row, partly due to a significant increase in applications by people originating from Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.
Mining-Africa: Help Yourself, There’s Plenty – IPS – 27 Mar 09
Article talks about issues highlighted in a newly published report entitled “Breaking the Curse: How Transparent Taxation and Fair Taxes can Turn Africa’s Mineral Wealth into Development”.
Guatemala
Guatemala’s President Colom suspends official trip to address security crisis – Guatemala Times – 25 Mar 09
President Colom suspended his trip to a SICA meeting in Nicaragua after the latest killings of several bus drivers. Soldiers are reportedly patrolling the streets of Guatemala City and National police check points have been set up throughout the city as well.
Guatemalans haunted by violence – Prensa Latina – 30 Mar 09
Mexico
Mexico abstentions may plague polls – Prensa Latina – 30 Mar 09
CESOP forecasts predict abstentionism may exceed 70 percent in mid-term elections.
Mexico Unemployment at Record High – Prensa Latina – 25 Mar 09
Unemployment numbers for February reached a record rate of 5.30 percent of the economically active population, according to the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI).
Nepal
Long-term IDPs still living in poverty – IRIN – 13 Mar 09
Thousands of internally displaced persons, estimated to be between 50,000- 70,000, inhabit crowded slums in Katmandu and other cities.
Ethnic identity crisis gathers momentum – IRIN – 20 Mar 09
At least two major ethnic groups in the southeastern Terai region bordering India have joined strikes and protests in recent weeks against their classification in the new draft constitution as Madhesi, Nepal’s dominant ethnic group.
Bangladesh
Fears for social stability as migrant workers return – IRIN – 26 Mar 09
Layoffs and forced repatriation of Bangladeshi workers from the Middle East and Malaysia are increasing at an alarming rate because of the global financial crisis.
India
On a 50-km march to create awareness on water pollution – newKerala.com – 30 Mar 09
Environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal will be leading a march to bring more awareness to communities about the importance of safeguarding their water resources. The march will be divided into two phases; first phase, April 1-6 covering Punjab and the second phase to cover Rajasthan.
Zimbabwe
New charges against MDC official – Aljazeera.net – 15 Feb 09:
Charges of treason against Roy Bennett have been dropped and replaced with sabotage.
Roy Bennett Charged with Treason – allAfrica.com – 14 Feb 09:
MDC Treasurer General and Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate Roy Bennett was arrested Friday and charged with treason for allegedly taking part in a plot to overthrow President Mugabe in 2006.
Teachers dig their heels in over dollars – IRIN – 13 Feb 09:
Striking teachers rejected Prime Minister Tsvangirai appeal that they return to work. The teachers are demanding that their salaries be paid in foreign currency.
Lawyers in Three-day Jail Stakeout – allAfrica.com – 14 Feb 09:
Members of Zimbabwean Lawyers for Human Rights have spent three days outside Harare’s Chikurubi’s maximum-security prison in an effort to get three seriously ill detainees hospital treatment
New Government Comes at Price – allAfrica.com – 12 Feb 09
The newly sworn in 46-member cabinet is reported to be the largest and most costly in the history of post-independence Zimbabwe. Salaries alone will cost taxpayers about U.S $ 400,000.
South Africa
New Budget Leaves Vulnerable Teens in the Cold- IRIN – 12 Feb 09:
Although South Africa has plans to expand some social safety nets this year, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel announced that a plan to extend the age of qualification for child grants from 15 to 18 would not be among them at this point.
President ‘Creating Confusion’ Over Poll- allAfrica.com – 13 Feb 09:
President Motlanthe has set the election date for April 22; however, the Freedom Front Plus will ask the Constitutional Court to give South Africans working abroad the right to vote. If the FF+ is successful, it will likely mean a delay.
The Institutional Dimension of Mbeki’s Legacy – allAfrica.com – 12 Feb 09:
Opinion piece that discusses varying discourse and action to deal with HIV and AIDS at the government and local organization levels in South Africa.
Mexico
Drug cartels behind Monterrey protests – Prensa Latina- 13 Feb 09:
Authorities in Monterrey are claiming that recent demonstrations against the presence of the Armed Forces and Federal Police in the local area were financed by drug cartels.
Mexico Readies for mid-term elections – Prensa Latina – 15 Feb 09:
Mexico’s political parties have begun preparations for July 5th midterm legislative and municipal elections.
Guatemala
PAHO Praises Cuba Docs in Guatemala – Prensa Latina – 14 Feb 09:
Representative of PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) in Guatemala praised the work of Cuban doctors and graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine working in Guatemala’s rural areas.
Nepal
“Existing laws affecting education sector”:eKantipur.com – 15 Feb 09:
Minister of Education, Renu Yadav stated that the present government is unable to provide qualitative education because of the existing laws and policies set by prior governments. Minister Yadav said she would work towards improvements.
No U.S timetable to remove Nepal Moaists’ terror tag – Reuters- 12 Feb 09:
Even with the Maoist elected to power in Nepal, U.S Secretary of State Official says there is no timetable to remove them from the U.S list of terrorist groups.
Bangladesh
Report blasts primary school education – IRIN – 11 Feb 09:
An internal report by the Department of Primary Education states that 70 percent of children in Bangladesh who have completed primary school are unable to read, write, or count properly.
Bangladesh elects new president: BBC – 11 Feb 09:
Zillur Rahman was elected president last Wednesday and will take the oath of office on Thursday.
India
People’s Manifesto Gets Political Support in India – OneWorld.net – 16 Feb 09:
A member of parliament in Maharashtra has endorsed All India People’s Manifesto, a development agenda put forth and conceived by regular citizens and to be implemented in over 300 districts across India.
Go to Wada Na Todo Abhiyan for more information.
Nearly, 1,400 forged land deed cases await action – Times of India – 16 Feb 09:
In Jaipur, the government has been unable to resolve disputes involving forged land deeds and property worth hundreds of millions rupees.
Spotlight on removal of iodine deficiency – The Hindu – 16 Feb 09:
The Global Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency will be holding its board meeting in Jaipur on February 19 and 20.
Older Posts »
