Welcome to the Global Current, your window to the world. Today we have reports on the tension between the U.S. and China with Matt Ausloss, and a report on the Proposition 8 trial with Heather Martino.
Anchors:
Kristen VellozaCaleb Barnhart
Update on Haiti
El Salvador police are investigating a man suspected of organizing a human trafficking ring involving Central American and Caribbean women. Police have just discovered that this man, Jorge Puello, may also have acted as legal advisor for the group of American missionaries charged with trafficking 33 Haitian children last Thursday. Puello maintains that this is simply a case of mistaken identity. Judge Saint-Vil claims that the photo presented in court of a trafficking suspect was the same man that appeared in court on behalf of the detainees. He has assured the public that he plans to launch a thorough investigation in the matter with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In the Americas
Bordaberry sentenced to 30 years
Former Uruguayan President Juan Maria Bordaberry was sentenced to 30 years in prison last Wednesday. The sentence was a result of a coup staged by Bordaberry in 1973 that consolidated his power, and the human rights atrocities that were associated with it. Judge Mota charged Bordaberry with “violating the constitution, nine counts of forced disappearance, and two counts of political homicide.” Bordaberry, age 81, has been under house arrest since 2007 for killing two opposition leaders in 1976. He was pushed out of favor by the military that same year.
Chavez grants oil contracts to Western oil companies
Chavez has changed his engagment approach to the West, by granting oil contracts to Chevron and other small companies on Wednesday. His goal is to increase national oil production and help the country out of a downward economic spiral. The U.S. is still the largest consumer of Venezuelan oil, despite the tarnished relations between the two countries over the past decade. Venezuela began approaching American oil companies back in 2008, but the risk of investments in Venezuela still deterred some major oil companies from bidding.
Fatal end to 4 year immigration battle
Elizabeth Drummond is now a widow and single mother to four children in Long Island. Her husband, Segundo Encalada, committed suicide last December. His actions were a result of being deported back to Ecuador in 2006, and being separated from his wife, Elizabeth, and their children. After he was ordered to voluntarily depart to Ecuador four years ago, the couple worked towards getting him access back into the U.S. During this time, their 8 year old son was hospitalized for depression and Elizabeth was forced to raise the children on her own. Drummond attributed Encalada’s decision to take his life to mismanagement by the State Department and the hopelessness they faced due to tougher immigration laws.
In the Middle East
Iran marks anniversary of Revolution
Pro-government Iranians have marked the 31st anniversary of the Islmaic Revolution which overthrew the shah and instituted the present Islamic government. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized the West at the rally and declared that Iran had 20% enriched uranium. The opposition tried to stage counter-demonstrations, but there have recently been security crackdowns. Several opposition leaders and members of their families have been arrested or attacked. Both the opposition and the the government are using the anniversary to show their strength. Iran could see the largest demonstrations since the elections last June.
Cease-Fire Declared in Yemen
A ceasefire agreement was finalized on Thursday by the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels to the north. This agreement comes on the heels of a recent outbreak of violence in the past week. The rebels aim to advance both separatist and sectarian interests in Northern Yemen.
Spain sending more troops to Afghanistan
The Spanish Defense Ministry announced on Friday that it will pledge an additional 511 troops to Afghanistan. This comes after requests from the United States government for more assistance from NATO nations in Afghanistan as the U.S. prepares for an offensive strike. Defense minister Carme Chacon told the Spanish Parliament that new troops will help train Afghan soldiers and provide security Badghis province.
In Africa
Historic Anniversary for South Africa Highlights Current Situation
The 20th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison was celebrated on Thursday for the 91 year old South African hero. At the same time, current president Jacob Zuma faced criticism leading up to his state of the nation address that was scheduled for the same day. Zuma is under intense scrutiny by South Africans because of a recently uncovered sex scandal, which he apologized for last weekend. Zuma who is working to help prevent the spread of HIV by advocating condom use, was discovered having unprotected relations with a 30 year old daughter of a family friend, resulting in yet another child. Zuma already has 20 children, 3 wives, and a fiancé.
Congolese Forces Draw Humanitarian Critiques
UN officials now suspect that Congolese forces looted the Eastern village of Kakenge on February 1st in a brutal attack. At least 1 woman was killed and 9 locals abducted. The Congolese government struggled to regain control of the eastern part of the country along with their efforts against Rwandan rebels in the region. The event has sparked humanitarian concerns over Congolese offensive attacks, which commonly include brutality and rape.
Peace Agreement formed between Sudan and Chad
The nations of Sudan and Chad reached an accord last Tuesday, to end their fighting and engage in direct talks towards rebuilding their war stricken borders and solidifying an attempt towards peace. With rebel forces fighting the governments, both nations are seeking the assistance of one another in a surprise meeting held last Monday.
Nigerian Government appoints Vice President as Acting President
Nigeria’s Parliament decided last Tuesday to make vice president Goodluck Jonathan the new acting president. The nation has been in a leaderless gap since November, when President Umaru Yar’Adua left the country for medical treatment. The struggle in making this decision came from Yar’Adua’s majority cabinet, which insisted it was not necessary to replace him. With mounting civil unrest, however, Nigerian leaders declared the vote necessary in order to restore stability.
In Europe
Greece Gains E.U. Support During Crisis
E.U leaders pledged their support this week for fellow member state, Greece. Greece has forecasted a 12.2% budget deficit for 2010. E.U rules call for deficits of no more than 3% of the country’s GDP. Greece has not requested any financial assistance from the E.U, but leaders say that they will take whatever steps necessary to help Greece through this crisis. The Greek government has tried to implement measures to improve the deficit over the past weeks, but the policies have been met with much protest by the public. Years of unrestrained spending and failed attempts at financial reform made the country very vulnerable to the global economic downturn. Other E.U countries feel that it is their responsibility to aid in whatever way possible because Greece’s financial crisis has affected all of them through increased pressure on the euro.
Spanish Economy Deep in Recession
Spain was hit hard by the global economic downturn, but the economy shrank by another 1% in the last 3 months, making it the last major world economy still in recession. The country has the 5th largest economy in the ‘eurozone’ with the largest unemployment rate reaching almost 20% in December. The government has forecasted some growth during the second half of the year, but the IMF expects the economy to shrink by almost another 1%.
Famed Fashion Designer Dies
Alexander McQueen, who dressed Sarah Jessica Parker, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga among others, was found dead in his London home this week. McQueen, who was only 40 years old, was both highly respected and controversial in the fashion world. His death has been a tragic loss for the fashion community. He was named British designer of the year 4 times over the course of his career. Early reporting has said that it was suicide, but authorities have not announced an official cause of death. In Asia
Honda joins Toyota in car recalls-
Honda is currently in the process of recalling 419,000 cars in the US and Canada, and 17,000 in Japan and other countries. The recalls stem from the discovery of defective airbags which are overinflating and bursting, spraying potentially deadly metal shards. The cars being recalled are the 2001-2002 Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CL, CR-V, the 2002 Acura TL cars, and the Japanese only models, the Inspire, Saber and Lagreat. This follows a recall last month, where Honda had to recall 650,000 Fit hatchbacks around the world which had a switch defect that could cause a fire. This recall, along with Toyota’s, has the possibility of damaging the reputation of the Japanese car industry.
Sri Lankan President dissolves parliament in a power move-
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has dissolved parliament this week, to make way for early elections in April. After winning a second term in office last month by a large margin, it is being speculated that the President is aiming to increase the narrow majority of seats held in parliament by his Freedom Alliance party. Also, it is speculated that this move is a ploy against his political competitor whom he defeated in the Presidential election, General Sarath Fonseka, a candidate the opposition has rallied around.
China sending mixed reaction to US arms dealings with Taiwan-
The Obama administration has enraged the Chinese by approving the sale of $6.4 billion worth of arms to Taiwan. China has threatened to halt some military exchanges with the United States, and stated that it would have to take “unspecified steps,” to punish the American companies that produce the weapons. More recently, China has been sending mixed signals, with its willingness to allow an American aircraft carrier to visit Hong Kong, but its refusal to buy jets from Boeing, one of the manufacturers of Taiwanese arms, choosing Airbus instead.
0 comments:
Post a Comment