New Internationalist
For in interactive map and more information visit
www.remunicipalisation.org
Water privatization has been high on the globalizers’ agenda for the last decade. But privatizers haven’t all found it easy to get their way. Vibrant campaigns by residents, trade unionists and environmental activists have been so successful – and privatization experiments so disastrous – that a push towards the de-privatization of water services is gathering a head of steam. A new website – www.remunicipalisation.org – highlights and celebrates the growing trend of returning failing privately managed water services to public management, which is manifesting itself in parts of South America, North America and Africa. Continue reading Eau de victory →
Africa Confidential
After months of tense negotiations, Morgan Tsvangirai has settled for much less than his supporters voted for
The agreement reached in Harare on 15 September may not be what Zimbabweans wanted, but it was the best the negotiators could get after various governments had tried to prod President Robert Mugabe into making more concessions. Now Mugabe remains President, with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister and his former colleague Arthur Mutambara as his Deputy. Mugabe’s powers will be whittled down but not radically altered in the new arrangement. It is a weak and ambiguous agreement whose terms include many discretionary provisions – an ideal arena for political obstruction. Continue reading three-legged race →
Washington Post
Zimbabwe’s political compromise leaves a strongman in power. So why should Western governments support it? Continue reading Mr. Mugabe’s Deal →
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has extended invitations to Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama to meet before the Nov. 4 election and discuss their views on a variety of election issues. Continue reading Bishops invite McCain, Obama to meet before election →
BBC
Cattle ranching is blamed for up to 70% of current Amazon deforestation
Norway has pledged $1bn (£500m) to a new international fund to help Brazil protect the Amazon rainforest.
The donation is the first to the fund which Brazil hopes will raise $21bn to protect Amazon nature reserves. Continue reading Norway joins fight to save Amazon →
BBC
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has told his party’s leaders that Monday’s power-sharing deal is a “humiliation”.
But he said the party had no alternative after losing the March parliamentary elections. Continue reading Deal a humiliation, says Mugabe →
Peace, Justice, Integrity of Creation