Global
AUSTIN, Texas -- I just love the fine print in the president's tax-cut plan. I grant you, the overall effect is pretty spectacular, too -- a plan that has almost no stimulative effect but still opens a future of zillion-dollar deficits to drag down the economy. That's the backasswards of what we need, but it's not the fun part.
Look at these little goodies:
Look at these little goodies:
New York, Jan 1 (GIN) -- Under pressure from aid agencies and
mounting bad publicity, Swiss-based multinational Nestle has
dropped its demand for $6 million from the famine-stricken
Ethiopian government.
Nestle claimed the $6 million was owed by Ethiopia since the former regime lead by Haile Mengistu nationalized a livestock company owned by a Nestle subsidiary.
Ethiopia, in the middle of a ravaging famine that threatens millions of lives, had offered $1.5 million to cover the debt based on the assessed value of the company in 1975, the time of the nationalization. But Nestle rejected that amount, pushing for the value at the current rate of exchange between the dollar and the Ethiopian birr.
The World Bank, which had been negotiating on behalf of the Ethiopian government, reportedly expressed surprise at the hard line taken by the multinational which owns Nestle. "This $1m in our opinion is justifiable. But this is not the point of view of Nestle. They are trying to get as much as they can," said a World Bank spokesman in a published report.
Nestle claimed the $6 million was owed by Ethiopia since the former regime lead by Haile Mengistu nationalized a livestock company owned by a Nestle subsidiary.
Ethiopia, in the middle of a ravaging famine that threatens millions of lives, had offered $1.5 million to cover the debt based on the assessed value of the company in 1975, the time of the nationalization. But Nestle rejected that amount, pushing for the value at the current rate of exchange between the dollar and the Ethiopian birr.
The World Bank, which had been negotiating on behalf of the Ethiopian government, reportedly expressed surprise at the hard line taken by the multinational which owns Nestle. "This $1m in our opinion is justifiable. But this is not the point of view of Nestle. They are trying to get as much as they can," said a World Bank spokesman in a published report.
New York, Dec. 30 (GIN) -- The Togolese parliament yesterday
changed the constitution in a way that will allow President
Gnassingbe Eyadema to seek re-election in next year's June
elections.
As it stood, the 1992 constition required Eyadema to step down after two five-year terms. But now, he will be able to run for re-election as many times as he wishes to.
Opposition groups have called the amendations a constitional coup.
Jean-Pierre Fabre of the opposition party, Union of Forces for Change said, "We call on the Togolese people to mobilize immediately to oppose this 'coup de force' of President Eyadema."
Eyadema, who came to power in a 1967 military coup, is Africa's longest serving head of state. He kept Togo in a single- party system until 1993, when he won the country's first mult- party presidential election. Opposition parties boycotted the poll.
In 1998, Eyadema won the second multparty presidential election, in which he was accused of vote-rigging and other electoral malpractice.
As it stood, the 1992 constition required Eyadema to step down after two five-year terms. But now, he will be able to run for re-election as many times as he wishes to.
Opposition groups have called the amendations a constitional coup.
Jean-Pierre Fabre of the opposition party, Union of Forces for Change said, "We call on the Togolese people to mobilize immediately to oppose this 'coup de force' of President Eyadema."
Eyadema, who came to power in a 1967 military coup, is Africa's longest serving head of state. He kept Togo in a single- party system until 1993, when he won the country's first mult- party presidential election. Opposition parties boycotted the poll.
In 1998, Eyadema won the second multparty presidential election, in which he was accused of vote-rigging and other electoral malpractice.
NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (GIN) - More than 20 years after he was
toppled from power and forced into exile in Saudi Arabia, Idi
Amin wants to return to Uganda - the country where, during his
eight-year dictatorship, at least 300,000 people were massacred.
According to news group Sapa-DPA, Amin - who was once known as the "Butcher of Uganda" - wants to leave Mecca, return to live in his home town of Arua, Uganda, and build up his former house. Amin wants to live there "not as a dictator, but as a retiree," says his son, Hajji Ali.
Amin's family, many of whom have returned from exile to Uganda, have been calling for Amin to be allowed back. In April, Ali said "My father is completely innocent. We should talk about something where there is evidence, but the evidence is just not there."
The evidence, however, is stark, solid and brutal.
In addition to the 300,000 people that Amnesty International say were killed there during his rule, Amin expelled some 50,000 people of Asian decent - giving them just weeks to leave - and distributed their businesses to his friends.
According to news group Sapa-DPA, Amin - who was once known as the "Butcher of Uganda" - wants to leave Mecca, return to live in his home town of Arua, Uganda, and build up his former house. Amin wants to live there "not as a dictator, but as a retiree," says his son, Hajji Ali.
Amin's family, many of whom have returned from exile to Uganda, have been calling for Amin to be allowed back. In April, Ali said "My father is completely innocent. We should talk about something where there is evidence, but the evidence is just not there."
The evidence, however, is stark, solid and brutal.
In addition to the 300,000 people that Amnesty International say were killed there during his rule, Amin expelled some 50,000 people of Asian decent - giving them just weeks to leave - and distributed their businesses to his friends.
ABIDJAN, Jan. 2 (GIN) -- A government attack by helicopter on
a rebel-held village in the center of embattled Ivory Coast was
condemned by the French military detachment which has reportedly
been assigned to preserve a fragile ceasefire in this West
African nation.
The 2,500 French troops insist they are neutral in the fighting which pits the government against three rebel divisions. A rebellion against the government of Laurent Gbagbo was sparked on Sept. 19 with an attempt by the government to lay off hundreds of soldiers they believed supported another political partys losing bid for office.
A French military source said Tuesday's attack - in which 11 civilians are said to have died - was "unacceptable" and would have "inevitable repercussions".
It is the first time the French have criticized either side since agreeing to maintain the fragile truce signed by the government and the main rebel group, the Ivory Coast Patriotic Movement (MPCI).
The statement came as another rebel group on Wednesday opened up a new front in the south-west of the country, close to the Liberian border.
The 2,500 French troops insist they are neutral in the fighting which pits the government against three rebel divisions. A rebellion against the government of Laurent Gbagbo was sparked on Sept. 19 with an attempt by the government to lay off hundreds of soldiers they believed supported another political partys losing bid for office.
A French military source said Tuesday's attack - in which 11 civilians are said to have died - was "unacceptable" and would have "inevitable repercussions".
It is the first time the French have criticized either side since agreeing to maintain the fragile truce signed by the government and the main rebel group, the Ivory Coast Patriotic Movement (MPCI).
The statement came as another rebel group on Wednesday opened up a new front in the south-west of the country, close to the Liberian border.
LAGOS, Jan. 1 (GIN) - At a meeting of local Christian groups,
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo publicly apologised for the
killing of more than 200 unarmed civilians by the army in Benue
State in October 2001.
The army has been accused of several mass killings since civilian rule was restored in Nigeria in 1999. Mr Obasanjo is seeking re-election in April and this Sunday faces a former minister from Benue State in primaries for the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).
The killing of ethnic Tivs was apparently in retaliation for the abduction and murder of 19 soldiers sent to quash fighting between Tivs and Jukuns, the biggest group in neighbouring Taraba State.
Human Rights Watch, a New York based rights group, has strongly condemned the Nigerian government for first encouraging, then failing to condemn, the military action.
"I am sorry, it should never have happened," Mr Obasanjo said.
Over a three-day period, soldiers entered a series of towns and villages, including Zaki Bam, in Benue State and opened fire on unarmed residents.
The army has been accused of several mass killings since civilian rule was restored in Nigeria in 1999. Mr Obasanjo is seeking re-election in April and this Sunday faces a former minister from Benue State in primaries for the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).
The killing of ethnic Tivs was apparently in retaliation for the abduction and murder of 19 soldiers sent to quash fighting between Tivs and Jukuns, the biggest group in neighbouring Taraba State.
Human Rights Watch, a New York based rights group, has strongly condemned the Nigerian government for first encouraging, then failing to condemn, the military action.
"I am sorry, it should never have happened," Mr Obasanjo said.
Over a three-day period, soldiers entered a series of towns and villages, including Zaki Bam, in Benue State and opened fire on unarmed residents.
Did anyone notice that another year is gone? It just sailed by like a light breeze, a little warm, but nothing hanging on, nothing substantial.
Two-zip-zip-two was a hell of a year for me. The breeze that brushed against my psyche knocked me over, knocked me down and then picked me back up again and sailed me off on another adventure.
What I remember…
Well we have been on the verge of war now for more than a year. Just how stressful is that to us on a daily basis? I mean we don’t really talk about it, oh maybe occasionally but if there was research done, what effect does it have on us on some sub-conscious level?
Two-zip-zip-two was a hell of a year for me. The breeze that brushed against my psyche knocked me over, knocked me down and then picked me back up again and sailed me off on another adventure.
What I remember…
Well we have been on the verge of war now for more than a year. Just how stressful is that to us on a daily basis? I mean we don’t really talk about it, oh maybe occasionally but if there was research done, what effect does it have on us on some sub-conscious level?
Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio (UHCAN OHIO) needs your help.
During March 10-16, 2003 UHCAN OHIO will be supporting Covering the
Uninsured Week. This is a major national project funded by the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation and sponsored by a coalition of diverse national partners
(see the list below) . Lack of health insurance is a dilemma facing 41
million Americans. Over 100,000 of them live right here in Franklin County.
UHCAN Ohio is committed to making Covering the Uninsured Week a major
opportunity to educate the public about the crisis of health care coverage,
but UHCAN Ohio needs your help.
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 1 (GIN) - Initial reports that the South
African Broadcasting Corporation would drop CNN for Al-Jazeera,
the Qatar-based Persian Gulf news network well known for
broadcasting videotaped messages from Osama bin Laden, have been
denied by the SABC.
However, Al-Jazeera could be added to the line-up.
SABC spokesperson Ihron Rensburg said the broadcaster was looking at a range of options.
"The main objective is to provide viewers with the widest range of news as it happens." Under review, said Rensburg, was CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera and Sky News.
However, Al-Jazeera could be added to the line-up.
SABC spokesperson Ihron Rensburg said the broadcaster was looking at a range of options.
"The main objective is to provide viewers with the widest range of news as it happens." Under review, said Rensburg, was CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera and Sky News.
Money and politics form the basis of the average Upper Middle Class Suburban High School. Money has always equaled power. When it comes to judging, all that seems to matter to people is whether you have it or not. The fact is, the more money one has, the higher the chance of fitting in. Money can even be it’s own parameter in establishing cliques.
While fitting in is probably one of the biggest pressures felt by my peers, especially females, it isn’t on my list of things to deal with on a day to day basis . To some, high school is all about “status”. Conformity is what everyone is seeking. Without the right clothes, cars, or friends, it’s quite hard to establish one’s “status” in the “popular” group. On the other hand, there are those who seem to strive to be the exact opposite of a “conformist”. Some students buy into the idea of being different just to prove that they are above the pressures of fitting in. This kind of person is no less a sell-out than people who do whatever they can to prove they are part of the in-crowd. No matter where one is in the conformity spectrum, it’s all based on the same people’s standards.
While fitting in is probably one of the biggest pressures felt by my peers, especially females, it isn’t on my list of things to deal with on a day to day basis . To some, high school is all about “status”. Conformity is what everyone is seeking. Without the right clothes, cars, or friends, it’s quite hard to establish one’s “status” in the “popular” group. On the other hand, there are those who seem to strive to be the exact opposite of a “conformist”. Some students buy into the idea of being different just to prove that they are above the pressures of fitting in. This kind of person is no less a sell-out than people who do whatever they can to prove they are part of the in-crowd. No matter where one is in the conformity spectrum, it’s all based on the same people’s standards.