Tuesday, December 28, 2010

BBC News - AU names Kenya's Raila Odinga as Ivory Coast mediator

BBC News - AU names Kenya's Raila Odinga as Ivory Coast mediator: "The African Union has asked Kenyan PM Raila Odinga to lead its efforts to resolve Ivory Coast's political crisis.

The AU said Mr Odinga had been asked to 'follow through the crisis', a month after the country's disputed polls."

Monday, December 27, 2010

BBC News - Ivory Coast: General strike called to pressure Gbagbo

BBC News - Ivory Coast: General strike called to pressure Gbagbo: "Political parties loyal to Ivory Coast presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara have called a general strike across the country from Monday to force the incumbent president to cede power.

Laurent Gbagbo has refused to step aside following November's disputed election which he insists was rigged."

Sunday, December 26, 2010

BBC News - Ivory Coast warns of civil war

BBC News - Ivory Coast warns of civil war: "Ahoua Don Mello said such a move could spark an 'interior war' due to foreign workers living in the country, AFP reports.

Mr Gbagbo has refused to step aside following November's disputed election."

Saturday, December 25, 2010

BBC News - Thousands flee Ivory Coast for Liberia amid poll crisis

BBC News - Thousands flee Ivory Coast for Liberia amid poll crisis: "About 14,000 people have fled Ivory Coast to neighbouring Liberia following last month's disputed Ivorian presidential election, the UN says.

A spokesperson told the BBC that the UN was prepared for a total of 30,000 refugees in the region.

Most of those fleeing are supporters of Alassane Ouattara, who is recognised internationally as the new president."

BBC News - Ecowas bloc threatens Ivory Coast's Gbagbo with force

BBC News - Ecowas bloc threatens Ivory Coast's Gbagbo with force:

"The West African regional bloc Ecowas has told incumbent Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo to stand down or expect to face 'legitimate force'.

The statement came at the end of emergency talks on the crisis sparked by a disputed election last month."

Friday, December 17, 2010

Who's rougher on the environment: China or India? - By Brian Palmer - Slate Magazine

Who's rougher on the environment: China or India? - By Brian Palmer - Slate Magazine:
"Politicians opposed to unilateral reductions in U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions often claim that China and India are the real problem. Some have even supported legislation barring federal regulation of carbon dioxide emissions until the world's most populous nations do the same. China and India are always lumped together as if they're the same ecological disaster waiting to happen. But which of the two countries is more dangerous to the environment?"

Thursday, December 16, 2010

BBC News - ICC throws spotlight on African injustice

BBC News - ICC throws spotlight on African injustice: "There may be criticism that the court has given a disproportionate amount of attention to Africa's troubles. All five cases under investigation by the ICC involve African states - Kenya, Uganda, the Central African Republic, DR Congo and Sudan.

Critics could also say that the world's biggest superpower, the US, is not a signatory to the laws that created it. But is the world a better place because it exists?"

BBC News - Ivory Coast troops fire on Alassane Ouattara supporters

BBC News - Ivory Coast troops fire on Alassane Ouattara supporters: "Three protesters have been killed in Ivory Coast after soldiers fired on crowds trying to take over state TV.

The protesters back Alassane Ouattara, one of two men claiming victory in last month's presidential election.

Unrest has spread through the main city of Abidjan, with gun battles reported near the hotel where Mr Ouattara has stayed since the election.

The military, loyal to Mr Ouattara's rival Laurent Gbagbo, has accused protesters of inciting confrontation.

Mr Ouattara and Mr Gbagbo both claim to have won the election, and each has declared himself president.

The UN, which backs Mr Ouattara's claim, has urged calm."

Monday, December 13, 2010

Raids on Opposition Stir Fears in Ivory Coast - NYTimes.com

Raids on Opposition Stir Fears in Ivory Coast - NYTimes.com: "Another season of political violence is breaking on this troubled country, after years of coups, unrest, civil war and an election that was meant to put it all to right. But the voting seems to have done the opposite. Two presidents, backed by two armies, now stare at each other warily. Diplomats say the risk of a return to civil war is real.

And an ominous warning, unheard since the aftermath of the previous civil war six years ago, is being whispered on the streets: the government death squads are back."

Saturday, December 11, 2010

BBC News - UN climate change talks in Cancun agree a deal

BBC News - UN climate change talks in Cancun agree a deal: "UN talks in Cancun have reached a deal to curb climate change, including a fund to help developing countries.

Nations endorsed compromise texts drawn up by the Mexican hosts, despite objections from Bolivia."

Monday, December 6, 2010

US supreme court to decide if Walmart lawsuit can proceed | Business | The Guardian

US supreme court to decide if Walmart lawsuit can proceed | Business | The Guardian:

"The US supreme court said today it would decide if the largest sex-discrimination lawsuit in US history, against Walmart, can proceed. Female employees seek billions of dollars in damages because they say they were paid less than men and given fewer promotions. It involves as many as 1.5 million current and former female workers at the company's 3,400 US stores over the past decade."
 
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