February 24, 2004
Around the World
The BBC profiles the effects of globalization on the poor.
An Asia Times columnist examines America's womens' rights record. It's a bit harsh, but makes some interesting points. Another suggests that the real winner of the Iranian elections is former president Rafsanjani.
NZZ reports on Swiss efforts towards the reunification of Cyprus, and notes that EU Greens are coming together to build a single party and increase their influence.
The Navy Times reports that Rumsfeld had kind words for Uzbekistan en route to discuss the future of US troop presence in the region. The Secretary of Defense claims that talks will be opened to press the Uzbek government on human rights, which Rumsfeld has a good record of.
A group of 9-11 families have issued a list of questions they would like for President Bush to answer under oath and in public.
A FindLaw columnist looks at the headscarf ban in France, noting that enforcing it will give authorities overbroad powers of discretion and prevent rather than promote social inclusion of minorityes. I'd also like to point out that during the 1979 revolution, many Iranian women donned chador as a protest of the Shah's religious clothing ban, little expecting that it would then become required. Is it any better to ban than to compel in this case?
Punjabi union members are on strike, with over a million walkouts around India as the Supreme Court ruled against the right of government employees to strike. In a largely state run economy, the strike has heavily affected the banking and insurance sectors.
Venezuela plans to donate $1 million to relief efforts in Haiti. They also say that they will not cut off oil to the US in retaliation for US support of a presidential recall:
...''How would the U.S. react if there was an American foundation, and its primary financing came from Venezuela, and it was promoting activities to destabilize the United States and oust the Bush administration?'' Venezuelan ambassador Bernardo Alvárez asked during an interview Monday.
Bolivia gets a waiver of debt from Japan.
US and EU generals fan out across Africa, and Darryl Issa meets up with Muammar Qaddafi. The continent is seeing a rise in lead and arsenic pollution, an unwelcome health threat in nations ravaged by war, AIDS, lack of sanitation, and hunger.
American Indian housing authorities will lose $7 million in grants and $200 million in lending authority in the proposed 2005 budget.
Posted by natasha at February 24, 2004 07:03 PM | TrackBack