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Welcome to the Global Current, your window to the world. Today we have a discussion on the health care debate in the United States with Will Suggs and Greg Smith, and an interview with former Marine Sgt. Joe Pace with Heather Martino.
Headline Writers: Headline Anchors:
The Americas- Heather Martino Vivian Moreno
The Middle East- Matt Ausloos Rehana Nathoo
Africa- Andrea Borrelli In-Focus Anchors:
Asia- Christiana Weidenz William Suggs
Europe- Alyssa Alfano Greg Smith
The Americas
Update in Haiti
On Thursday, former President and special envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton spoke to aid groups, urging them to focus their energies towards assistance efforts that will enable Haiti to become self-sufficient. Clinton called for groups and relief agencies to keep their donations and expenditures transparent by using an online service. His request included that groups designate 10 percent of their budgets to employee training and government salaries, and that they focus attention on the areas surrounding Port-au-Prince, in order to allow the capitol city to rebuild. This comes just one week prior to a critical UN donors conference, where it is expected that Haiti will ask for 11.5 billion dollars to rebuild.
Chavez Critic Arrested, then freed
Guillermo Zuloaga, the owner of the independent television network Globovision, was arrested by agents from Venezuela’s military intelligence agency on Thursday. Zuloaga, who is one of the country’s most influential critics of President Hugo Chávez, was released several hours later, but order not to leave the country while the investigation into remarks made earlier this month at an Intern American Press Association meeting in Aruba continues. Zuloaga is quoted as saying the Venezula lacks freedom of expression, heightening concerns over an intensifying clampdown on news organizations and opposition political leaders. This arrest comes at a time when Chavez’s methods of dealing with critics is under particular scrutiny.
Africa
Terrorism Suspect Initially Denied for Visa by US Government
U.S. officials originally declined the visa for the Christmas Day attempted airline bomber to enter into the country upon his first request in 2004. The terror suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallabm was denied a VISA after false information was discovered on his application. Upon further review, a supervisor overruled the visa denial after taking into Abdulmutallab’s father’s status as a prominent Nigerian banker. Officials say this incident has been left out of reports thus far because of the normalcy of such events.
UN rejects weakening the ban on ivory sales
The UN rejected the proposal on Monday at the United Nation’s Wildlife meeting to weaken the ban on ivory sales, out of fear of an increase in poaching. Central and Eastern African nations voiced concerns with the proposal to weaken the ban, on the grounds that it would hurt the already vulnerable African elephant population. Tanzania and Zambia supported the proposal stating that they “should be rewarded for their conservation efforts and should have the right to manage their herds as they see fit.”
Somalia looks to Take Back Control
The Al-Qaeda linked Somali militant group, Shabab, has put particular emphasis in the last three years on making Somalia an ultraconservative, traditional, Islamic state. Through scare tactics and campaigns of violence, the Shabab has been expanding its reach outside Somalia’s borders. The people of Somalia have voiced impatience with the country’s transitional government, as they continue to strengthen their militaristic efforts. Children and women who have been abused by the Shabab are now coming out with claims of rights infringement. Somalia is looking for American support to continue to avoid the transition towards a radical Islamic state at the hands of the Shabab.
Somali Pirate Suspects Released
After one of the largest skirmishes off the coast of Somalia, in which the suspected pirates were turned over to EU officials, six of the suspects have been released. The EU Naval force released the captives on Thursday after the captain of the accused ship declined to identify them as accomplices. Their release highlights the jurisdiction difficulties involved in the prosecution of assailants on the high seas.
Middle East
New Bin Laden tape warns US
Al Jazeera broadcasted what it believes to be a new audiotape from Osama bin Laden. In it, bin Laden warns the US not to execute Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, accused of masterminding the September 11 attacks. Bin Laden is reported to have said: “The White House has expressed its desire to execute them. The day America will take such a decision, it would have taken a decision to execute whoever we capture.” The Obama Administration recently decided not to hold the trial for Mohammed and other al Qaeda prisoners in New York. It is not yet known where the trials will be held, or if they will be in civilian or military courts. However, it is believed that the accused will face the death penalty.
Israeli Prime Minister expresses progress with US despite mixed message from Washington
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes the dispute between the US and Israel is starting to soften. Netanyahu left a meeting in Washington, saying there was a “golden way” to restart Mideast peace talks. However, Israeli President Shimon Perez said Israel “did not reach an understanding with the US.” This is evidenced by the fact that major US officials have remained silent after the talks ended.
The White House wants Netanyahu to embrace trust-building measures in order to reignite talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The argument over planned Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem has created the most prominent hiccup in Israeli-US relations in decades.
Iraq parliamentary vote will not be recounted
Iraq’s election commission has said there will not be a manual recount of the votes cast in the country’s parliamentary election. Last week both President Jalal Talabani and incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Maliki supported a manual recount of the votes. Maliki is in a tight race with former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
International observers have expressed overall confidence with the election. However, there are fears that violence could erupt after the official results are announced. With about 90 percent of the votes counted, Allawi was ahead by about 8,000 votes, but Maliki was ahead in seven of the 18 provinces.
Dubai government to back Dubai World debt relief
The government of Dubai is giving the company Dubai World $9.5 billion to help it restructure its debt. Creditors must now decide whether to accept the plan. Dubai World owes a total of $23.5 billion to its creditors. As part of the plan, the company will receive $1.5 billion from the Dubai Financial Support Fund.
Dubai World said in a statement: “This proposal represents the best possible solution for all stakeholders.” Investors were shocked when Dubai World asked for extensions on its debt repayment last November, but many analysts believe the new plan will be praised by investors.
Europe
Greece to receive assitance from Eurozone Members
On Thursday, the presidents of France and Germany met to discuss the current debt crisis facing Greece. Greece is part of the eurozone, and as a result of their debt crisis has caused the euro to decline, sparking alarm in the region. The purposed plan would include help from all 16 eurozone states and the IMF, totaling a relief plan of 23 billion euros. The plan will feature bi-lateral loans but the loans will carry very specific conditions. The meeting in Brussels was not intended to be a discussion of the current crisis in Greece, but rather an opportunity to discuss a 10 year economic plan. However, the debt crisis’s affect on the euro has necessitated a need for immediate action to be taken. The plan will be discussed further among various eurozone officials and will need unanimous approval for any loans to be given to Greece.
Pressure on Sarkozy mounts
Dominique de Villepin, the political opponent of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has created a new political party in France. It is believed that this move is a strong indication of his intention to run for president. The announcement came at a time when Sarkozy is facing vast political uncertainty in the country on account of several nation-wide strikes in the past few weeks, and his subsequent party defeat in a regional election.
Villepin says that the new party will call for more socially responsible conservatism as well as higher income and corporate taxes.
Vatican denies that the Pope failed to act on sex abuse claim
The Vatican denied claims that Pope Benedict XVI did not act on allegations that a U.S priest molested over 200 deaf boys decades ago. The most recent complaints were made against an American priest who taught at an American school in the 1970s and 1980s. It is reported that other priests wrote the Vatican about the situation in the 1990s, but no action was taken. The priest died in 1998, but admitted to molesting these boys before his death. In Thursday’s New York Times, the Vatican said that the complaints against them were outrageous and without merit, and that there was no cover up of the suspected abuse. This is not the first case of suspected abuse within the Catholic Church, as the church has been plagued by several allegations across Europe and America over the past decade.
Asia
Pakistan Attack Kills 26
The Pakistani military announced Friday that an early morning attack in the tribal area has killed five soldiers and 21 suspected militants. The United States has pressured Pakistan to launch an offensive in militant strongholds along the Afghanistan border. The fighting began when a checkpoint was attacked in the Orakzai district. This district served as a base for Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who officials believe was killed earlier this year.
U.N. members displeased with Myanmar Election Progress
Myanmar plans to hold its first general elections in nearly 20 years, but key UN member states are unhappy with the progress. Members, as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, are displeased with the ruling military junta’s lack of progress in creating a transparent and reasonable election process. The date of the general election has yet to be announced.
China Will Not Adjust Exchange Rate
Chinese officials announced Wednesday that they have no plans to adjust their exchange rate, despite pressure from the United States. Congress is pressing the Obama administration to declare China a currency manipulator. China claims they are simply enjoying trade surplus and the United States is wrong to jump to any conclusions. Economists believe that China is undervaluing its currency to support its export-driven economy and the U.S. Congress says this exchange-rate problem is negatively affecting job growth in the United States.
Welcome to the Global Current, your window to the world. Today we have a discussion on the health care debate in the United States with Will Suggs and Greg Smith, and an interview with former Marine Sgt. Joe Pace with Heather Martino.
Headline Writers: Headline Anchors:
The Americas- Heather Martino Vivian Moreno
The Middle East- Matt Ausloos Rehana Nathoo
Africa- Andrea Borrelli In-Focus Anchors:
Asia- Christiana Weidenz William Suggs
Europe- Alyssa Alfano Greg Smith
The Americas
Update in Haiti
On Thursday, former President and special envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton spoke to aid groups, urging them to focus their energies towards assistance efforts that will enable Haiti to become self-sufficient. Clinton called for groups and relief agencies to keep their donations and expenditures transparent by using an online service. His request included that groups designate 10 percent of their budgets to employee training and government salaries, and that they focus attention on the areas surrounding Port-au-Prince, in order to allow the capitol city to rebuild. This comes just one week prior to a critical UN donors conference, where it is expected that Haiti will ask for 11.5 billion dollars to rebuild.
Chavez Critic Arrested, then freed
Guillermo Zuloaga, the owner of the independent television network Globovision, was arrested by agents from Venezuela’s military intelligence agency on Thursday. Zuloaga, who is one of the country’s most influential critics of President Hugo Chávez, was released several hours later, but order not to leave the country while the investigation into remarks made earlier this month at an Intern American Press Association meeting in Aruba continues. Zuloaga is quoted as saying the Venezula lacks freedom of expression, heightening concerns over an intensifying clampdown on news organizations and opposition political leaders. This arrest comes at a time when Chavez’s methods of dealing with critics is under particular scrutiny.
Africa
Terrorism Suspect Initially Denied for Visa by US Government
U.S. officials originally declined the visa for the Christmas Day attempted airline bomber to enter into the country upon his first request in 2004. The terror suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallabm was denied a VISA after false information was discovered on his application. Upon further review, a supervisor overruled the visa denial after taking into Abdulmutallab’s father’s status as a prominent Nigerian banker. Officials say this incident has been left out of reports thus far because of the normalcy of such events.
UN rejects weakening the ban on ivory sales
The UN rejected the proposal on Monday at the United Nation’s Wildlife meeting to weaken the ban on ivory sales, out of fear of an increase in poaching. Central and Eastern African nations voiced concerns with the proposal to weaken the ban, on the grounds that it would hurt the already vulnerable African elephant population. Tanzania and Zambia supported the proposal stating that they “should be rewarded for their conservation efforts and should have the right to manage their herds as they see fit.”
Somalia looks to Take Back Control
The Al-Qaeda linked Somali militant group, Shabab, has put particular emphasis in the last three years on making Somalia an ultraconservative, traditional, Islamic state. Through scare tactics and campaigns of violence, the Shabab has been expanding its reach outside Somalia’s borders. The people of Somalia have voiced impatience with the country’s transitional government, as they continue to strengthen their militaristic efforts. Children and women who have been abused by the Shabab are now coming out with claims of rights infringement. Somalia is looking for American support to continue to avoid the transition towards a radical Islamic state at the hands of the Shabab.
Somali Pirate Suspects Released
After one of the largest skirmishes off the coast of Somalia, in which the suspected pirates were turned over to EU officials, six of the suspects have been released. The EU Naval force released the captives on Thursday after the captain of the accused ship declined to identify them as accomplices. Their release highlights the jurisdiction difficulties involved in the prosecution of assailants on the high seas.
Middle East
New Bin Laden tape warns US
Al Jazeera broadcasted what it believes to be a new audiotape from Osama bin Laden. In it, bin Laden warns the US not to execute Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, accused of masterminding the September 11 attacks. Bin Laden is reported to have said: “The White House has expressed its desire to execute them. The day America will take such a decision, it would have taken a decision to execute whoever we capture.” The Obama Administration recently decided not to hold the trial for Mohammed and other al Qaeda prisoners in New York. It is not yet known where the trials will be held, or if they will be in civilian or military courts. However, it is believed that the accused will face the death penalty.
Israeli Prime Minister expresses progress with US despite mixed message from Washington
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes the dispute between the US and Israel is starting to soften. Netanyahu left a meeting in Washington, saying there was a “golden way” to restart Mideast peace talks. However, Israeli President Shimon Perez said Israel “did not reach an understanding with the US.” This is evidenced by the fact that major US officials have remained silent after the talks ended.
The White House wants Netanyahu to embrace trust-building measures in order to reignite talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The argument over planned Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem has created the most prominent hiccup in Israeli-US relations in decades.
Iraq parliamentary vote will not be recounted
Iraq’s election commission has said there will not be a manual recount of the votes cast in the country’s parliamentary election. Last week both President Jalal Talabani and incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Maliki supported a manual recount of the votes. Maliki is in a tight race with former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
International observers have expressed overall confidence with the election. However, there are fears that violence could erupt after the official results are announced. With about 90 percent of the votes counted, Allawi was ahead by about 8,000 votes, but Maliki was ahead in seven of the 18 provinces.
Dubai government to back Dubai World debt relief
The government of Dubai is giving the company Dubai World $9.5 billion to help it restructure its debt. Creditors must now decide whether to accept the plan. Dubai World owes a total of $23.5 billion to its creditors. As part of the plan, the company will receive $1.5 billion from the Dubai Financial Support Fund.
Dubai World said in a statement: “This proposal represents the best possible solution for all stakeholders.” Investors were shocked when Dubai World asked for extensions on its debt repayment last November, but many analysts believe the new plan will be praised by investors.
Europe
Greece to receive assitance from Eurozone Members
On Thursday, the presidents of France and Germany met to discuss the current debt crisis facing Greece. Greece is part of the eurozone, and as a result of their debt crisis has caused the euro to decline, sparking alarm in the region. The purposed plan would include help from all 16 eurozone states and the IMF, totaling a relief plan of 23 billion euros. The plan will feature bi-lateral loans but the loans will carry very specific conditions. The meeting in Brussels was not intended to be a discussion of the current crisis in Greece, but rather an opportunity to discuss a 10 year economic plan. However, the debt crisis’s affect on the euro has necessitated a need for immediate action to be taken. The plan will be discussed further among various eurozone officials and will need unanimous approval for any loans to be given to Greece.
Pressure on Sarkozy mounts
Dominique de Villepin, the political opponent of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has created a new political party in France. It is believed that this move is a strong indication of his intention to run for president. The announcement came at a time when Sarkozy is facing vast political uncertainty in the country on account of several nation-wide strikes in the past few weeks, and his subsequent party defeat in a regional election.
Villepin says that the new party will call for more socially responsible conservatism as well as higher income and corporate taxes.
Vatican denies that the Pope failed to act on sex abuse claim
The Vatican denied claims that Pope Benedict XVI did not act on allegations that a U.S priest molested over 200 deaf boys decades ago. The most recent complaints were made against an American priest who taught at an American school in the 1970s and 1980s. It is reported that other priests wrote the Vatican about the situation in the 1990s, but no action was taken. The priest died in 1998, but admitted to molesting these boys before his death. In Thursday’s New York Times, the Vatican said that the complaints against them were outrageous and without merit, and that there was no cover up of the suspected abuse. This is not the first case of suspected abuse within the Catholic Church, as the church has been plagued by several allegations across Europe and America over the past decade.
Asia
Pakistan Attack Kills 26
The Pakistani military announced Friday that an early morning attack in the tribal area has killed five soldiers and 21 suspected militants. The United States has pressured Pakistan to launch an offensive in militant strongholds along the Afghanistan border. The fighting began when a checkpoint was attacked in the Orakzai district. This district served as a base for Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who officials believe was killed earlier this year.
U.N. members displeased with Myanmar Election Progress
Myanmar plans to hold its first general elections in nearly 20 years, but key UN member states are unhappy with the progress. Members, as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, are displeased with the ruling military junta’s lack of progress in creating a transparent and reasonable election process. The date of the general election has yet to be announced.
China Will Not Adjust Exchange Rate
Chinese officials announced Wednesday that they have no plans to adjust their exchange rate, despite pressure from the United States. Congress is pressing the Obama administration to declare China a currency manipulator. China claims they are simply enjoying trade surplus and the United States is wrong to jump to any conclusions. Economists believe that China is undervaluing its currency to support its export-driven economy and the U.S. Congress says this exchange-rate problem is negatively affecting job growth in the United States.
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