Dutch officials have arrested a self-exiled Philippines leader of the communist National Democratic Front (NDF) for ordering the assassination of two former allies in Manila. Jose Maria Sison, who founded the Marxist party and established its military wing – the New People's Army (NPA) – has been allegedly commanding an …
In Yemen a parents worst nightmare may come when they realize that they have no choice at all but to put their child onto the street to work, to support the family. Peddling various wares on the street, child labors, some as young as four, in Yemen can hardly …
In December of this year, formal negotiations will begin on a successor to the Kyoto Protocols which expire in 2012. Right now in Vienna, parties are meeting to help prepare for what should be Homeric efforts over the course of the next two or three years. See
Over at The Mail & Guardian the University of the Witwatersrand's Achille Mbembe wonders what Thabo Mbeki, chief architect of the “African Renaissance,” is playing at with regard to his apparent endorsement of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's galling recent comments in West Africa. At least on …
Peter Kagwanja, research director and senior African fellow at South Africa's Human Science Research Council and president of the Africa Policy Institute argues that SADC's mediation of the crisis in Zimbabwe “must be given a chance to breathe.” But he also believes that Zimbabwe's salvation will only …
It's official: Kashagan oil extraction work has been shut down pending new negotiations with the consortium led by independent oil company ENI. This is not affecting anyone's current oil supply, but it will be of interest to world stockbrokers, oil-market analysts, and Central Asia watchers. I love this stuff, myself, …
Alberto Gonzalez, U.S. president George W. Bush's long-time friend and associate, resigned yesterday after increasing pressure from Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Gonzalez, who served as White House counsel and later as attorney general, held the highest cabinet position of any hispanic-American. He was an unflappable supporter of the neo-conservative agenda …
According to the Mail & Guardian, SADC's plan for Zimbabwe's economic recovery is a non-starter because, well, SADC and its member nations do not have the necessary funds and the prospect of such support coming from the west in sufficient qualities is highly improbable.:
The economic rescue package …
I found this while looking for news for the Central Asia Beat of last week, but it was well worth returning to: accounts of torture in Naryn by the police. The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights works to raise awareness of human rights violations in Central Asia, …
The war crimes trial for former Liberian president, Charles Taylor, has been delayed until January, 2008. Debates over counsel, logistical concerns, and financial hurdles have postponed the trial. The Sierra Leone tribunal was to take a lessons-learned approach, taking note from the war crimes tribunals for Rwanda and the former …
Short little entry:
I’m always thrilled when Central Asia hits the big-time. This time, The New York Times: and this time, it's a five-piece slide show by photographer Carolyn Drake called “A Land at a Crossroads”. And let me tell you that I hope it's true. A crossroads should mean trade, and trade is needed.
There is no question that Africa is in dire need of good leaders, the question has been asked and we are in search of Africa's true leaders, but are there any true leaders in Africa?”. Last year the leaders of Africa where put to the test, with the …
So much news this week and much of it not good: In Iraq, local authorities grappling with the large number of internally displaced people, as sectarian violence exacerbates. Still no light at the end of the tunnel for Zimbabwe, which has seen a mass exodus of its citizens …
Failing to secure the health and safety of children is unfortunately nothing new in Zimbabwe, however to see the actual figures is shocking, when you see that little progress has been made to save the children in the last decade. In Zimbabwe malnutrition of children is increasing, the increase …
The ‘cycle of abuse’, we’ve all heard the phrase a million times, yet I often think we forget what it means. It does not only mean the cycle, or stages, in which abuses are carried out. A child who grows up in an abusive home, is sexually …
