US belief in climate science lowest since polling began 13 years ago, with 31% saying the threat is ‘definitely’ a reality Continue reading Nearly half of Americans believe climate change threat is exaggerated
Monthly Archives: March 2010
Staggering from pillar to post: Zimbabwe’s ‘unity’ government
Mary Ndlovu
Mary Ndlovu paints a desolate picture of the Zimbabwe of now and its political future: ‘The “Unity Government” has stumbled from pillar to post, ending for the time being, paralysed in the intensive or perhaps terminal care unit of the political hospital.’ Ndlovu takes us through the events of the last year and argues that ZANU PF’s tactics have shifted from the defensive to the offensive. Analysing the various options, such as calls for elections now, Ndlovu finds strong reasons to eliminate each. But she ends on a note of hope: ‘Debate on the constitution has… sparked considerable interest and determination to participate. Hopefully… a more active citizenry will eventually evolve, bringing promise of an empowered society which will develop new strategies to put in place a democratic government.’ Continue reading Staggering from pillar to post: Zimbabwe’s ‘unity’ government
Mugabe celebrates birthday amid distress
Mail and Guardian
NELSON BANY
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe celebrates his 86th birthday on Saturday with a lavish party as the economy struggles to recover from crisis, showing no sign of planning to retire after 30 years in power.
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| Country in crisis Thousands of Zimbabwean civil servants march through Harare last week to demand wage increases. President Robert Mugabe celebrates his birthday — which will cost about $500 000 — on Saturday, as the economy struggles to recover. (Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP) |
Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party will fete the veteran ruler, whose birthday was actually on February 21, with an all-night concert among festivities which some critics estimate will cost $500 000.
A power-sharing government set up by Mugabe and his bitter rival Morgan Tsvangirai, now prime minister, has stabilised the economy after the crisis which many Zimbabweans blame on Mugabe’s policies. But aid agencies say over two million Zimbabweans will still need food aid this year. Continue reading Mugabe celebrates birthday amid distress
Pastoral Letter of His Grace Paolino Lukudu Loro on the process of the forth coming political Elections
Sudan is an intensely religious country. In this pastoral letter Paulino Lukudo Loro, Archbishop of Juba, in the midst of traditional religious language, makes a plea for just, free, and fair elections and calls on political candidates to adopt appropriate campaign behaviour and on voters to exercise their civic duty responsibly.
“VOX POPULI, VOX DEI” (The Genuine voice of the people is the voice of God.)
Introduction
May the mercy and love of God be manifested to you in this Lenten season.
Lent is the time of the year in which God invites us to a sincere renewal of our lives in line with the Gos pel. It is an invitation to realize our need of God. On Ash Wednesday, we started a pilgrimage to be marked by the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving which are a way to prepare us for the journey. Continue reading Pastoral Letter of His Grace Paolino Lukudu Loro on the process of the forth coming political Elections
Global Climate Battle Plays Out in World Bank
by Lesley Wroughton
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| An aerial view shows steam billowing from the cooling towers of a coal power plant in the western town of Neurath December 4, 2009. (REUTERS/Ina Fassbender/Files) |
WASHINGTON – The United States and Britain are threatening to withhold support for a $3.75 billion World Bank loan for a coal-fired plant in South Africa, expanding the battleground in the global debate over who should pay for clean energy.
The opposition by the bank’s two largest members has raised eyebrows among those who note that the two advanced economies are allowing development of coal-powered plants in their own countries even as they raise concerns about those in poorer countries. Continue reading Global Climate Battle Plays Out in World Bank
PERU: Suspension of Mining Operation Merely a Placebo
By Milagros Salazar
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LIMA, Mar 9, 2010 (IPS) – Although the Peruvian government reported that it had suspended the exploration activities of the Afrodita mining company in the country’s northern Amazon jungle region to avoid further protests by local indigenous people, officials took no actual steps to bring the firm’s work to a halt. Continue reading PERU: Suspension of Mining Operation Merely a Placebo
Shell can improve impacts in the Niger Delta, says new report
The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility
As Shell faces a lawsuit in the Netherlands over alleged oil pollution in Nigeria, a new report published today argues that the oil giant can and should take both prompt and longer-term action to reduce the negative social and environmental impacts of its operations in the Niger Delta. Continue reading Shell can improve impacts in the Niger Delta, says new report
Nigeria’s constitutional crisis and US interference
| With Nigeria locked in a constitutional crisis, Funmi Feyide-John discusses the role of the US government’s interference. While praising the Nigerian government for its ability to calmly transfer power to Vice-President Goodluck Johnson following President Umaru Yar’Adua’s absence due to poor health, Feyide-John writes, the US’s alleged favouritism towards particular political players risks severely undermining democracy in Nigeria through casting whoever ultimately ends up as president as a foreign puppet. In meeting former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida in Yar’Adua’s absence, Feyide-John stresses, the US’s actions give credence to suggestions of its intent to secure a Nigerian base for its AFRICOM (Africa Command) initiative and bolster its access to oil, as part of political dabbling which will doubtless have a lasting impact on Nigerian politics. |
Continue reading Nigeria’s constitutional crisis and US interference
South Africans saying No to Eskom’s $5 billion World Bank loan
The following Action Alert was sent by the Africa Faith and Justice Network and the Missionary Oblates JPIC Office and is supported by SNDs in South Africa. Continue reading South Africans saying No to Eskom’s $5 billion World Bank loan
Nigerian government takes action against water sanitation crisis
Media Global Voice of the Global South
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| In 2009, 216,122 pupils in 229 primary schools in Nigeria gained access to improved sanitation and hygiene facilities through government-funded water sanitation projects. (Photo credit: Creative Commons) |
Lagos state government met this week to discuss the ban of latrines and illegal locations of petrol filling stations in the urban communities of Nigeria. The Lagos 2010 Sewage and Wastewater Summit was held from March 2 to 4. At the summit, Environment Commissioner Muiz Banire expressed concern that pit latrines contributed to groundwater contamination in the communities that depended on shallow wells for water. He proposed that the 1978 ban on latrines be revisited and reinforced. Continue reading Nigerian government takes action against water sanitation crisis
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