European aid dropping

According to the article, the amout of aid the EU and member countries are contributing has fallen gradualyy each year since 1990. British NGO's are outraged, and claim the much of the reason for the reduction in aid is due to attempting to use it to leverage foreign policy goals rather than eradicate poverty. From 1990 to 2000, aid dropped from the Comissions anual budget from 76-36%.

Greg Voegtle

http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/ngos-hit-out-at-use-of-aid-as-eu-foreign-policy-tool/48788.aspx

Zakaria Offers Insight to Post Bin Laden

In an article posted on CNN Zakaria, the author of the The Post American World, was interviewed via twitter on what happens now that Osama Bin Laden is dead. The first piece of advice Zakaria offers is that the U.S. should definitely continue to hunt terrorists affiliations. He stresses how now is a critical time where terrorist groups like the taliban and al Qaeda are leaderless and vulnerable right now and pushing forward is the the U.S.'s best interest. However he does make it clear that while its important to still keep troops to hinder the formation of terrorists groups, that we do not need more than 30,000, and we should withdraw from Afghanistan and stop trying to make the third poorest country into a functioning democracy, he says, its not going to happen.

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/10/zakaria-draw-down-u-s-troops-in-afghanistan/?hpt=T1

Katie Kruse

Council Elections in Northern Ireland

Council Elections in Northern Ireland are underway in Belfast. With the big two parties, Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein taking the charge. There were a few notable outcomes. Out of Belfast South, Anna Lo is the first canidate of chinese descent to return to the election. Sinn Fein destroyed the polls in Belfast west with their five candidates. There were lots of successes on both sides



http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/election-2011/big-two-still-rule-the-roost-after-northern-ireland-election-15153120.html#ixzz1LtuGTGYL

-Richard (RJ) McNichols

NBC poll: 80% said it was the right decision to kill bin Laden

During an interview with 60 minutes Obama admitted that bin Laden deserved to be killed because of the mass murder had he commited on U.S. soil on 9/11. Most Americans seem to be agreeing. According to a new NBC poll, 80 percent of Americans said it was the right decision to kill bin Laden versus capturing him aliving and bringing him back to U.S. soil. Eleven percent said was the wrong decision, and 9 percent were not sure. Obama said "Justice was done."


Read more at: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/09/6612049-nbc-poll-80-said-it-was-the-right-decision-to-kill-bin-laden

Posted by Christine Steinbeiss

Growing Africa 'must diversify'

This is the article I was talking about in class. Since we are reading the Bottom Billion, I thought this article was extremely relevant. Kofi Annan makes statements about what Africa needs to do in order to stay competitive. The article talks about Africa changing its focus and how it can diversify to help itself out of poverty.




http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13297129

Post by Rima

Bahrain's king: State of Emergency will End in June

The King of Bahrain has had the country in a state of emergency since March and is planning and taking it away on June 1st. The article claims that there were massive uprises and protests once the King put this in place. It also claims that Bahrain is a very strategic ally of the U.S. and and important kingdom. Many people noticed much more violent crackdowns on protests once the state of emergency was put into place; there were 21 people they had arrested and are putting on trial for being suspects of the leaders for this unrest. A Bahrain news government agency had made comments claiming that some of these leaders were working with foreign countries and could be considered terrorists to Bahrain.

The initial protests against the government had flared up in February because of discrimination, corruption, and unemployment within the people of the state - something they say their leaders have done little to nothing about. After reading the article I noticed that this conflict could be considered more of a Sunni vs. Shiite situation. The King's family is Sunni Muslim while 2/3rd of the state is Shiite. The crown prince of Bahrain had made a comment about a month ago on the crackdown of protestors. He said that, "We took necessary action to preserve lives and the livelihood and interests of all the people, based on our commitment to Islamic and Arab values." A country that is so torn by religious beliefs and lifestyles is bound to have massive conflict like this. The heavy protesters have even commented on wanting to abolish the country's royal family all together.


Jen Crawford

Tens of Thousands March into Mexico City

Tens of thousands of Mexican citizens march peacefully through Mexico City on Sunday. Their message is directed to President Felipe Calderon and other politicians about failed government attempts to stop the drug gang activity. The group of 150,000 civilians is led by Catholic poet and journalist Javier Sicilia. To begin a crackdown on drug gangs the president has sent soldies to patrol the nothern and western parts of Mexico. Since this strategy has been in motion violence has increased along with the toll of innocent victims. However, due to corruption, fear, and inefficiency, the government has not fully reported on the killings. Mass graves were found in Tamaulipas, holding 183 bodies, which is believed to be people kidnapped off public buses. In Durango 168 bodies have been pulled from other mass graves. Citizens feel they are ignored victims caught between organized crime and governmental forces, soldies and police.

Ana Foster

Violence in Egypt

A riot in Cairo, Egypt has erupted this weekend. During this outrage, at least twelve people were killed and over two-hundred were left with mild to severe injuries. The increasing tension in between the Muslim and Christian population finally caused a secretarial explosion. The riot immediately called for an emergency assembly of the Cabinet and public persuasion from Coptic Christians for international protection. Officials stated that the initial dilemma began when rumors that a Christian woman, who had converted to Islam, was being held at a local church against her will. International protection against the Christian community of Cairo was demanded by a small group Coptic Christians outside of the U.S. Embassy earlier today. This unfortunately, was not the first time that this has happened this year. A Coptic church was bombed in Alexandria, Egypt on New Years Day, killing twenty three. Until today, that had been the deadliest attack on Christians that Egypt had known in recent times.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/08/egypt.clashes/index.html

-Tharryn Wright

bin Ladin had Support System in Pakistan

In a speech given by Obama, he said that there must have been a support system in place in Pakistan that allowed for him to stay under the radar for such a long period of time. Ever since 9/11 and the attrocities of that day, a 10 year international US led man hunt was set. This calls into question the legitmacy of the situation in Pakistan in regards to terrorism and such problems. Pakistan plays a key role in the war on terrorism and especially now with the fact that this is where bin Ladin had been hiding. The Prime Minister of Pakistan is scheduled to give a speech on their situation with terrorism. The solution to the problem did not end with the death of bin Ladin and Pakistan plays a large role in the success of this operation.

Chinese regulators suspend TV crime and spy dramas

As the Chinese Communist Party prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary, the government has decided to pull all television programs depicting detective work, spy thrillers, or time travel. Instead, the airspace will be filled with patriotic, party praising programming. Even Wang Weiping, the deputy chief of the drama department at China's state TV regulator is openly admitting the strategy of a "propaganda period."

The programs will still be dramatic, but will focus on the founding of the party. Networks are upset about the short notice change, but Chinese officials insist changes like this are normal and not to be questioned. Chinese T.V. watchers can look forward to Dong Fang, a historical drama about the founding of the People's Republic of China.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13308162

Syrian government's fight against protesters escalates

After seven weeks of protests and crackdowns, the Syrian government has taken even further action than it was willing previously. Two cities have now been reinforced with troops, more have been deployed in another town, and communication has been cut throughout the southern part of the country. According to human rights groups and activists, 14 people were killed and hundreds arrested on Sunday. Though only a few weeks long, this uprising has posed the greatest threat to Bashar Al-Assad's presidency. Today's crackdown may be a hint that he plans to end ultimately by force. To do this, Assad has gained information, technology, and weapons from neighbor and ally Iran. This includes tear gas and new ways to stop communications. The latter has been working as human rights groups and activists alike have been unable to use communications tools that have worked earlier during the uprising. Many have speculated that the protesters are not organized enough to provide an undivided front to the government. This fuels the government's mantra that they are better than the pure chaos that would be sure to follow their departure. Whether this is true or not should not be the issue. Human rights violations are clearly occurring if tanks are rolling into small towns, and sanctions against government leaders do not seem to be working.

Tokyo: Nuclear Update

As workers in Japan have opened the doors to the damaged reactor building, Japan has stated that they are still committed to nuclear power. Workers at the nuclear power plant are hoping that by opening the doors, some of the radiation will release from the building allowing workers to enter. The expected wait time is approximately eight hours until the radiation levels are low enough for workers to be able to enter; however, they are expecting that it will be about six months before the entire plant is stabilized again. Prime Minister, Naoto Kan has requested that one of Japan's nuclear plants, Hamaoka be shut down for safety reasons because it rests on top of a fault line. Kan has not requested that it only be a temporary shut down until a wall can be built around the plant high enough to withstand any tsunamis that could possible come its way. He also requested that backup systems be installed in order to strengthen the plant in case of another earthquake. A decision regarding his request was not made on Saturday so there will be another meeting on Monday to discuss the matter. As of now there is concern for having power shortages if the plant is temporarily shut down, but the majority of the public is backing up Kan's request.

Click here to read more.

Summarized by: Heather Krizka

Taliban confirm bin Laden's death

The Taliban confirmed on Friday that bin Laden was killed during the raid. This came later the same day that al Qaeda admitted his death. Al Qaeda confirmed his death in a web statement and also taunted and threatened the US saying that "Osama didn't build an organization that with vanish with his death..." The statement also said that bin Laden recorded an audio message a week before his death and that they would release it in the future. The Taliban said that his death will reinvigorate the "jihad" against the US and its allies.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/07/afghanistan.taliban.bin.laden/index.html

Derald Willey

Inflation in Vietnam

The Vietnamese government is launching a new resolution, Resolution 11, in an attempt to curb inflationary pressures. In the last year consumer prices have risen 17.5% and the dong has been devalued to the dollar six times in that same span of time. In hoping to find something more stable many people are turning to gold, in fact DongA Bank recently installed an ATM that dispenses gold bars. It appears that Vietnam’s government is doing everything it can to fight inflation, narrowing its focus to tightening its money and credit, cutting the budget deficit, and controlling state-owned enterprises. It appears that these are realistic goals for Vietnam as they have become the “world record-holder for debt creation” according to a particular private credit measure. Sticking to their script government recently capped interest rates offered on dollar deposits at 3% and promises to cut public investment as well. Only time will tell if this resolution will work and if Vietnam can continue its 7-8% growth rate in the next few years.

-Tommy Walker

Protests Over Bin Laden's Death

200 demonstrators in Cairo have begun protesting at the American embassy, protesting the death of Osama bin Laden and his burial at sea. They claim that this is American hostility towards Muslims. Most Egyptians do not believe that Osama bin Laden is responsible for orchestrating the terrorist attacks and decided to use the situation to voice frustration over Afghanistan, Iraq, and U.S. support of Israel. Mamdouh Ismail, a candidate for President and speaker at the protest argued that no case had been formally submitted against bin Laden, unaware that in 1998 a case was filed against bin Laden and Al-Qaeda. Since February, Egyptians have enjoyed using their ability to protest over issues. Sheik Hafaz Salama, an aging firebrand in Egypt, gave a rousing sermon at a mosque, inciting the crowd to protests at the embassy. The protesters were consistently surrounded by police and military, but they remained peaceful through the march. Most protesters were most upset by Osama bin Laden's burial which they feel was not in accordance with Muslim tradition. Another comment made by a proster was that it was actually Jews who planned 9/11.

By Margaret Nunne

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/world/africa/07egypt.html?ref=world

Libya strikes fuel supply in city held by rebels

Earlier today, Muammar el-Qaddafi's forces set fire to the fuel supply terminal in rebel-controlled Misurata, Libya. Rockets were fired into several fuel tanks, causing explosive fires that could be seen for miles. el-Qaddafi's forces attempted this attack three times in the last three weeks, but today was the first time a fuel tank was actually hit. The city's residents awoke to a thick cloud of black smoke. According to rescue forces, there were no casualties as a result of this attack.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/world/middleeast/08libya.html?_r=1&ref=world

Megan Borows

Mexico's Television and Telephone Industries

Mexico is home to the world's richest man, Carlos Slim, who owns both Telmex, which has 80% of the landline market, and Telcel, which has has 70% of the mobile-phone market. Mr. Slim has a tight grip on the telephone empire charging among the highest usage fees in the world, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Emilio Azcárraga, another distinguished billionaire controls the television business, in which his company, Televisa, claims 70% of the country’s TV audience. Those who are not part of the Televisa audience are part of TV Azteca, run by yet another billionaire, Carlos Salinas. These three billionaires controlled the communication industries in peace until very recently when Televisa and TV Azteca decided, along with 25 other companies, to complain to the competition authorities against Mr Slim’s telephone empire, who's industry was deemed as an expensive bad monopoly. As tension between them rises, they have started to bundle phone and internet with cable service. The goal is that prices will drop as these giant industries undergo competitive reforms.

-Gilberto Perez

Asean summit opens amid Thailand-Cambodia border row

The leaders from ten member countries of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)are for annual summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. The summit which normally emphasizes on trade issues in these regions. But, the fight that broke out between Thailand and Cambodia on their borders is likely to make the meeting complicated. This is one way this group of countries to show to the world a sense of unity. In addition to the clash border clash, Burma's bid for chairmanship in the year 2014 has drawn many criticisms from human rights groups. Follow more at http://www.bbc.co.uk /news/world-asia-pacific-13319952

Submitted By: Namgyel Dorji

Somali pirates get 439-year sentences

In 2009, a Spanish fishing vessel, the Alakrana, was taken over by 12 armed Somali pirates as it made its way to the Seychelles.  On board were 36 crew members, made up of Spaniards and various Africans and Asians, who were detained by the pirates for 47 days.  The Spanish military was able to capture two of the pirates, Raageggesey Hassan Aji and Cabdiweli Cabdullahi, who were then brought to Madrid for trial.  This was very uncommon as most Somali pirates are turned over to African authorities for court proceedings and are never brought to Europe.  After two years, the Spanish court has just convicted each pirate with a 439-year prison sentence.  They have been sentenced for 11 years for each crew member detained (11 years x 36 members = 396 years), as well as an additional 43-year sentence made up of charges including armed robbery and membership in a criminal gang.  Despite these incredibly high sentences, court officials said that the maximum allowed prison sentence for these types of crimes is actually only about 30 years! 

Mark Zajac

Columbia: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

For the past ten years, Bogotá, Colombia's status in the world has improved significantly. Urban planners have worked to develop the capital city and mayors initiated beneficial changes of all types. It has been nothing short of an urban "mecca", and some even claim to U.S. Americans that it would be a smart housing location choice. However, despite these rapid improvements, the city is still subject to difficulty.

One of the main problems is the large number of significant construction projects in the area. Since these projects are simultaneous, the city is victim to chaos, particularly traffic chaos. Another problem is the rising fear of violent crime. Even though the city is safer than it was before its improvements, recent reports of murders, robberies, assaults, kidnappings, and car bombs make residents scared for their safety.

Tourists are also afraid. Recent assaults of tourists could dissuade travelers from visiting the capital of Columbia. Interestingly, much to the discourse on crime revolves around the TransMilenio, which is the public transportation system in Bogotá. Not only is it overcrowded and delayed due to its popularity, but it has become a central location for crimes, particularly robbery and violent protests. It will be interesting to see how this affects the country's tourism industry and its economy as a whole.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/world/americas/06bogota.html?ref=world

-Gracie Hollister

Japanese Workers Enter Dangerous Nuclear Reactor Building

The recovery process from the massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake in Japan continues. Workers continue to try to manage the dangerous amounts of radioactive matter that are in the air. On Thursday, Japanese workers entered a reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to install air ducts for a ventilation system that will filter the air to reduce radioactive substances. Once the radioactive contamination in the air is reduced, workers will be able stay in the building longer to install a cooling system that Tokyo Electric wants to use to do a cold shutdown of the reactor. Even with the protection of suits, masks, and air tanks, the air inside the plants is still unsafe for workers to be in the building for more than a few hours. Tokyo Electric said it will take about two to three days to bring the contamination levels down to a level that is safer for workers to be in for longer periods of time. This natural disaster triggered the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. Recently, Tokyo Electric laid out a six to nine month timetable for winding down the crisis and bringing the reactors to a complete shutdown.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/05/japan.nuclear.reactors/index.html

-Kristine Zizis

Waterboarding

There's no question that often when someone is waterboarded they will talk, but the question is whether what they will say is the truth, or even if they are being honest, if what they say is accutrate. Whether or not Osama Bin Laden was found because of water boarding or not is hard to tell. Most likely over the years the information was created by means of mutliptple sources and methods of gathering intelligence. Whether such treatment is justified, and the potential eefect it has on americans that are captured remains at question.

Greg Voegtle

http://www.blogger.com/i.g?inviteID=6122060624037228624&blogID=8405471042203283454

Berlusconi continuing his many cases in court

Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi is back in court but not for the underage prostitute. This times it's for Silvio's media company, Mediatrade. He denies inflating the price paid for television rights and then taking the difference to fund political activities. He had a preliminary hearing about this case at the end of March. He's got this case and the case involving an underage prostitute, which he could face up to 15 years in prison. Will he still be untouchable like teflon?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13260001

Richard (RJ) McNichols

Africa and Investing

Often we chase whats popular, whether it be the person or the stock. People notice whats rising, but the key is to finding whats about to rise. The question is whether Africa will be able to rise from the poverty and corruption it has. This article show a few ways to invest in Africa, specific ETF's and mutual funds that can be bought. Its important to notice that the article at first recommends investing in companies that are have business in the continent, rather than funds invested in the continent itself first. The article demonstrates some confidence in Chinese intervention in the continent, and its pouring of millions into the the infrastructure of various countries, which has resulted in rapid growth in some of the African countries. As we learned though, this may only be short run, for this allows the continuance of bad governing policies to continue by inherently corrupt governments. Why change if there's no incentive do do so?


Greg Voegtle

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/investing-in-africa-2010-10-21

Bombing in Morocco ends deadly

The last time there was a terrorist attack in Morocco was in 2003 and there were 45 people pronounced dead. Last week there was another bombing which has been confirmed the act of terrorist. It was located in Marrakesh in the popular tourist area in a cafe. At least 20 people were injured, most of them tourists from France. Tourism needless to say is going to suffer for this popular tourist area for most Europeans.

This is a little outdated but I thought I would post it because my best friend who is studying abroad right now in Paris was actually traveling and happened to be at this exact cafe two months ago, and emailed me this article the other day.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13226117

Katie Kruse

Complete Lack of True Justice.

According to US statements, Osama bin Laden was in fact NOT armed during the Seal team 6 raid earlier this week. This particular article states the was with his wives, resisted arrest, and was subsequently shot and killed. Though, as any article, has the potential to be biased, we can not completely discredit this account, though the truth probably lies somewhere between the popular views currently being espoused on US television.

Furthermore, while governments such as the Taliban are not convinced that bin Laden is in fact dead, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is beginning a fact finding mission of sorts to see if the United States violated international law. Though Eric Holder, the current US attorney general is vehemently defending the United States actions, it is safe to say that the international community as a whole is not thrilled with bin Laden not receiving a trial.

The fact that the UN, in my opinion, is getting involved is just another piece of evidence that justice was not served, rather revenge was taken.

Just for some healthy perspective on Osama bin Laden and the United States reaction to it, here is a list of the Top 10 Most Evil Humans. I am not advocating in any way that what bin Laden did to the United States of America is okay, I am only advocating that bin Laden deserved true judgement and justice to be served on the international stage.

megan smith

In Pakistan, an embarrassed silence on killing of bin Laden

Pakistan faces embarrassment after the United States forces killed bin Laden on Monday. There are questions regarding the Pakistan government's ability to catch bin Laden themselves or if they had known where he was hiding all along. The leader of al- Quida was killed in a mansion near a Pakistan military base which further fuels the idea that Pakistan is playing a double-game over Islamist militants and al-Qaida. Analysts are finding it hard to believe that Pakistan officials had not known of bin Laden's close existence to the base. Pakistan's first official statement about the killing said that the death is a win not only to Pakistan but for the world's war on terrorism. It is still unclear whether Pakistan officials knew of the raid. It is said that Pakistan officials may have known but kept quiet in order to keep with the deal that U.S. forces will be withdrawing from Afghanistan in July. Read more

Posted by Christine Steinbeiss

Attack kills Libyan Leader's Family

Saturday night brought controversy as one of NATO's air-strikes killed the youngest son and three grandchildren of the current Libyan leader Muammar el Qaddafi. Supporters of the leader revolted by attacking not only the UN buildings but the embassy of the US, Italy, and Britain. Russia actually joined in the rebuke of the attacks saying that is was stepping out of the Security Council's terms for the force against Libya. Others were claiming that the air-strike was intentionally trying to attack and eliminate the family. This attack could help create tension in a mostly unanimously agreed air strikes as supporters are now clamoring for the campaign to be ended quicker while others are pushing forward towards the idea of simply killing the current leader.

by: Albie Braun

We Got Him!

On the evening of Sunday, May 1, 2011 President Obama stated that U.S. officials now have the body of Osam Bin Laden, evil mastermind behind the World Trade Center Attack on September 11, 2oo1. Bin Laden was also behind the operations of many attacks throughout the 1990's including a firefight with U.S. soldiers in Somalia, the bombing of the U.S. embassies in East Africa, and an attack on the USS Cole. Just six days after the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, President George W. Bush stated that the evidence pointed to Bin Laden as the number one suspect behind the operation of attack. Bind Laden comes from a family of wealth with connections through his father's construction firm. Bin Laden is also the founder of al Qaeda which was originally founded as a support system for troops who were battling against the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union began to diminish, Bin Laden turned his direction toward the United States. The mastermind behind the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 was named to be Ramzi Yousef, who also had a strong tie to the al Qaeda forces. After the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, Bin Laden stated that he did not have any connection to the attack. Soon thereafter a video was found in which Bin Laden chuckled as he stated that he knew the 2001 attack was coming. On November 19, 2001 President Bush stated, "He runs and he hides, but as we've said repeatedly, the noose is beginning to narrow. The net is getting tighter." To many this is a victory. For others, the fear of retaliation will soon set in.

Click here to read more.

Summarized by: Heather Krizka

Osama Bin Laden Dead

Leader of the Al Qaida terrorist group has been announced dead. He was found hiding in a mansion. His body is apparently in US custody after CIA and special ops forces killed him in Pakistan. Bin Laden has been on Americas most wanted list for 8+ years since Bush was in administration. Obama is releasing a statement soon about the death of Bin Laden. Most people are curious now to see what happens to the terrorist group now that the leader has been removed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/02/osama-bin-laden-dead-obama

Katie Kruse

Libyan Oil Buys Allies for Qaddafi

Like many pro-Qaddafi groups that have emerged in response to the Libya rebellion, Elhadj Maiga from Mali recruits young men to go and fight for Qaddafi. There is a lack of money for guns or transport for Maiga's group of only couple hundred men but they are encouraged to commit their loyalty to Qaddafi - "We're all ready to die for him" said Maiga. Apparently Qaddafi built a mosque in Bamako (where Maiga prays), set up a national network for television in the 80's, and he even is paying the Malian government $100 million. A reciprocity effect has occured as a result of Qaddafi's support in Mali. He continues to use billions of dollars from the Libya's oil reserves to "invest in governments, rebel groups, luxry hotels, Islamic organizations, rubber factories, rice paddies, diamond mines, supermarkets and the countless OiLibya gas stations" around sub-Saharan Africa fueling his vehicle of reciprocity effect. These efforts have won over the influence of the poorest region in the world, and in return they fight for him as "African mercenaries".

Ana Foster

Support Remains Strong in Libya

Four members of Qaddafi's family were killed Saturday in an airstrike. A son and three grandchildren were caught in the explosion. The resolution that was reached by the Security Council which gave permission to conduct airstrikes in Libya seems to be having its rules bent. It was intended not to remove Qaddafi from power or kill him but to only intended on striking forces causing havok on the people. However, we see that allies are continuing support of the airstrikes even with the killing of four family members. A statement was released from Libya which condemned NATO for this killing and for the attempted assination of Qaddafi.

Matt Boguslawski

Berlusconi expected in court for fraud hearing

Berlusconi is expected in court on Monday. The trial is one of a set of tax fraud cases related to Burlusconi's media empire. Berlusconi, his son, and others are accused of fraud and embezzlement over television rights that were acquired at inflated prices through front companies. In other trials of his he attacked the judges as leftist magistrates who are bent on bringing down the government and he has vowed to curb their powers. The proposed reforms would shorten the statute of limitations on some cases and impose tighter disciplinary measures on magistrates. Critics say that they are mainly to help him avoid trial.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/01/us-italy-berlusconi-idUSTRE74036620110501

Derald Willey

"Memory Unit" Can Help Uncover Mystery From Air France Disaster

Two years ago, a plane headed to Paris from Rio De Janeiro crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. The crashed killed all of the 228 passengers on board. But just a few hours ago, a "memory unit" from that plane was found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. This discovery came three weeks after France's Bureau of Investigation found the tail section of the Airbus A330, name of the plane that crashed. This found memory unit can contain technical information and flight pattern data, which could help investigators to find out what went wrong on that fatal day. British aviation consultants, however, feel that this discovery will not be useful because of the amount of time that the device has spent underwater. Matrine Del Bono, a spokeswoman for the Paris-based BEA, said that there would be a good chance that the memory unit will still hold retrievable data.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/05/01/air.france.447.recorder/index.html

-Tharryn Wright

Peaceful protests turn violent in Uganda's capital

Led by opposition leader Kizza Besigye, protests have been rife in the Ugandan capital Kampala over the past three weeks. Besigye lost his third presidential race against current President Yoweri Museveni in February. Since then he has been arrested on more than one occasion and is currently hospitalized in Nairobi, Kenya, after being attacked with pepper spray by police forces during a protest. Before he could get medical attention, however, he was taken into custody by police forces. This latest arrest caused crowds to protest further. The police responded by firing bullet and tear gas into the crowd, killing two and injuring 90. The UN has urged the Ugandan government to restrain their excessive use of force, but these reprimanding words have had no effect thus far. President Museveni claims Besigye sustained his injuries after provoking the police with initial attacks. This Besigye adamently denies, claiming his protests have always been peaceful. He also maintains that he will continue to protest. Police forces have reportedly fired tear gas into civilian homes, schools, and health centers. If things don't get under control soon, these protests that started by complaining about food and oil prices may escalate into anti-government tendencies.

-Abbey Smith

Natural Gas Pipeline Explodes in Egypt

A pipeline that carries natural gas to Israel and Jordan from Egypt exploded Wednesday. According to Israeli Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau, the gas that is remaining in the pipeline will last only a few more days, and an immediate solution will be needed. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. In February, a gas pipeline in El Arish that sent natural gas to Jordan was set on fire. That incident was a suspected terrorist attack. It is still unsure if the two incidents are related, or if the latter was also a terrorist attack.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/27/egypt.explosion/index.html

-Kristine Zizis

Surprising Census Data in Mexico

There were a few interesting finds in Mexico's recent census data. To begin, the typical household has transformed over the last 10 years. A decade ago one in ten homes had a bare-earth floor and 20 years ago one in ten homes went without electricity. Today only 6% have bare-earth floors and nearly all homes have electricity. What the people put in their homes is probably the most interesting data in the census. Currently, more homes have televisions then they do refrigerators or showers. Also, despite unbelievably high rates almost two-thirds of the population owns a mobile phone. The last interesting point to note is that since the year 2000 the number of people able to speak Spanish has fallen. They attribute this to an increase in education and a rebirth of a number of indigenous languages.

There has been no discussion of how these changes have come about in the last ten years because the data was just released. So, until structured thoughts come out about the topic it is up to us to draw our own conclusions.

-Tommy Walker

Iraqi Nationalism

Ensuing talk over the remaining U.S. military presence in Iraq has resulted in a surge of Iraqi nationalism, and a strong push against sustained US occupation. The country has not had a significant breakdown in security since our last combat troops left, and many Iraqi's feel they no longer need the U.S. Whether or not we will leave is uncertain, for Iraq provides a strategic spot among two U.S. "hot" countries, Iran and Syria. As the years continue on, this appears to have been one of the main incentives for the U.S. administration at the time, however oil none the less was not out of the picture. Significant talks of western oil contracts (especially BP) were heavily discussed before the invasion, and was a strong incentive for Tony Blair to become involved.


Greg Voegtle

http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/168-general/50111-iraqs-own-arab-spring.html

Germany tries to allay labour influx fear

After Germany opened up its labor market to Poland and 7 other countries, workers in Germany fear their wages or hours may be cut. Government officials insist that they will protect German workers from any undercutting that may happen as the over 100,000 immigrants a year find a place in the German work force.

Workers from Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are eligable to join the market. Ministers are using popular newspapers to reassure the public. Still, their reassurance is not comforting the union workers that fear the cheap labor their employers might find in new immigrants.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13256288




-Renee Hessing

Burkina Faso Turns to Protest

North African protest may be spreading past the Sahara as about a thousand people in Burkina Faso descended on the capital demanding that the 24 year term of President Blaise Campaore come to an end. Burkina Faso is one of the world's poorest countries. The protesters marched to a popular reggae tune and shouted a variation of a popular slogan in Tunisia. The majority of the protesters were young people, and they were joined by the country's 34 opposition group leaders. The military waved at the protesters in passing trucks. High prices, low wages and the length of the President's term were spurs for the protest. The author cites Cote d'Ivoire's political instability as the cause of land locked Burkina Faso's rising prices. Previous protests in the country have been violent, with looting and pillaging. Mr. Campaore responded by dismissing the government and appointing a journalist as prime minister. A local rap star said "The problem is, it's not a democracy. It's been tropicalized." The crowds may turn violent, saying they were ready for civil war. That may be when Campaore returns to repressive controls.

by Margaret Nunne

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/world/africa/01burkina.html?_r=1&ref=world