Two days ago a group of British Embassy staff was kidnapped in the remote Afar Desert in North Eastern Ethiopia. they had been on their way to salt mines in the Dalol region. Why they, we presume supposedly informed, were venturing into unknown (and desolate, hostile), territory we shall probably find out soon. However, they were held up by people who are probably rebels for the Afar cause (independence from Ethiopia), and could be anywhere. What is worrying is that their vehicles have be...
The International Criminal Court has identified two people who are responsible for the killing (on 56 counts), of Darfur peoples (see link). No doubt the ICC will produce more names as time goes by. However Darfuris say "that the list must include the main perpetrator of the violence that has cost at least 200 000 lives and the displacement of 2 million people--the President of Sudan himself, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir." His government has been accused of arming the Janjaweed to instigate ethnic c...
Like Nero in Roman times Robert Mugabe will feast while all around him there is no food for the masses. They will spend 1.2 million American dollars celebrating Mugabe's 83rd birthday and feasting while there is no bread, jam or tinned foods for the Zimbabwean people. The honorable Robert will tuck into lavish food in Gweru (formerly Bulawayo),and Harare, and congratulate himself on a job well done. Whilst Mugabe tucks into his venison steaks the people he treats as second class citizens a...
Sky News (see link), reported today on the President who claims to be able to cure AIDS. President Yahya Jammeh, President of The Gambia, has convinced his people that he can cure them of AIDS. The president, who has no background in medicine, claims to have a secret herbal ointment that cures those with the HIV virus. As he is the supreme power in his country no one dare admit that the ointment does nothing but leave them "greasy". Sky news tried to get the recipe for the secret formula ...
Today has been a pretty bloody day in the Middle East. Living in Egypt I am obviously concerned as Egypt is often targetted because of its soft attitude towards the US. Today in the news: -Six people killed by bombing in Algeria. (Al Quaeda claims responsibility). -Three people killed by bus bombings in Lebanon (probably Al Quaeda or agents). -Another bomb in Baghdad (after yesterday's carnage). Sixteen or more killed. Arab kills arab. Muslim kills Muslim. Why? Where is this sordi...
As a Historian and not a politician, I always get excited by a presidential election. I like to compare men (and women now), and their philosophies, personalities and their ideals for America. Tonight I heard Barack Obama's speech and I was struck by his charisma, his articulate speech and the common sense he spoke. I panned the audience and found as many whites as blacks excited by Obama's stirring words. Obama has a long way to go but if he is significant of the type of candidate coming ...
Some news snippets for you: The President of China, HU Jintao, wound up a seven nation tour of Africa in the Seychelles today. A significant pledge was made to Zambia where the amount of aid will total almost 400 million dollars. Not all Zambians were enthralled though as many traders in that country felt that 20 000 jobs made has to be offset by the loss of revenue from local goods. They say that as tons of Chinese goods pour in so local goods sales would suffer. What those goods are I do...
Just over a week ago, a crippled cargo ship, the MSC Napoli, carrying 2400 containers, was grounded on a sand bank near Branscombe in Devon. The ship was repaired a few years ago and heavy weather tore away at the old repair leaving a gaping hole in her hull. She was grounded as it was feared she would sink before reaching a nearby port. Many of you probably watched TV pictures of the stranded, ailing ship as she listed heavily over and tossed 100 or so of her containers into the sea. The...
(I live in quiet hope that this innocuous little post does not provoke a "Battle Royal" between notorious JU feuders.) It was reported today that more Zimbabwe farmers face the eviction chop. The statistics/threats, are frightening: * 3500 white Zimbabwean farmers have been evicted, sans compensation , from their land. * Another purge of 300 to 400 farmers is about to happen soon. * Only the "lucky ones" will remain. Lands minister Didymus Mutasa, in his infinite wisdom, has decide...
The latest Big Brother furore in Britain has highlighted an intolerance and vulgarity that is common in parts of Britain. The social decline in values and the insensitivities to others' feelings, whether racist or otherwise, is blatant in Britain today. It is not just a Jade Goody display (the girl who caused the racist problem in Big Brother), it is a British display. There are lots of Jade Goodys and John Baddys in Britain but why are they like that? I don't know and would appreciate commen...
I have blogged before, on this and other blogs, about the rights of private citizens. I grow increasingly concerned about a Britain that is turning into a nation of "spies". I comment because my daughter lives in Britain and I spend some time there---so I take an interest in the British lifestyle. Today Sky News reported that a couple in Caernarfon were under investigation by their local council because they smoke inside their home. Of course a stupid neighbour complained because she lives...
Once upon a time there was a country that grew corn and vegetables for export, wheat for bread and meat for protein. Zimbabwe,once the breadbasket of Africa, is now bankrupt. They cannot pay for electricity, or imports of food and they cannot bake bread. Inflation is at 1000% and rising. The news today (see link) , threatens more white farmers with eviction and even the black farmers who struggle to make Zimbabwe work. They talk about compensation for land (well, that's new), but it will not ...
The Muslim World is outraged by the video of Saddam Hussein's hanging. It is not surprising that some have condemned the execution (his supporters), but many , for and against Saddam, are outraged by the video that emanated from the deed. There is also evidence that Saddam was taunted before he dropped into oblivion--and further evidence that there were celebrations around his body. I believe that a few simple measures could have avoided this calamity, bearing in mind the sensitive nature of ...
As the remains of President Gerald R. Ford were carried to the Washington he loved ---and placed in the Capitol Rotunda--it is fitting to reflect that his memory will outlast those such as Saddam Hussein who have denied him so much space in the media over the past two days. I blog here to say that I was moved by the words of outgoing Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert in his eulogy: I quote: "In 1974 America didn't need a philosopher-king or a warrior prince. We needed a healer, we need...
Gerald Rudolph Ford (1913 to 2006), was in the words of the BBC and others, an "undistinguished" President who , although he calmed America, was known for his pardoning of Richard Nixon. President Ford was unique in that he became Vice-President after a "dirty" resignation and President by a "dirty resignation" . President Ford (along with Bill Clinton), was also, unusually, a President who had a name change at an early age (Clinton was originally William Blythe and Ford was Lesley King). I ...