Five years after Georgia's Rose Revolution and weeks after the Russian-Georgian
War, correspondent Sonja Pace visited the Caucasus nation to check on Georgia:
Beyond the War. Our special report includes video, an interactive timeline,
slideshows and more.� Follow economic news on our�Global�Economic�Turmoil page.
And, VOANews.com, with its new community site USAVotes2008.com, will continue
to provide you with coverage on the transition from President Bush to President
Obama.�
Indian Home Minister Submits Resignation Following Mumbai Attacks
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Indian officials say Shivraj Patil's decision follows a meeting of the ruling
Congress Party late Saturday
The political fallout from the Mumbai terror attack is beginning to take its
toll on the administration of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. As Mr. Singh
convened an all-party meeting to discuss security, his home minister submitted
his resignation. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from New Delhi. Indian
Home Minister Shivraj Patil, left, and Indian Foreign Minister Pranab
Mukherjee, right, look on during a Congress Working Committee meeting on the
Mumbai terrorist attack, in New Delhi, 29 Nov 2008India's home minister
resigned Sunday - the first political casualty after the unprecedented terror
attack on the country's commercial capital. Even before Mumbai was attacked,
Home minister Shivraj Patil had been a target of opposition parties for his
allegedly poor performance as the cabinet member tasked with domestic security.
He is to be replaced by the respected finance minister, Palaniappan
Chidambaram. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to takeover the finance
portfolio. �A senior leader of the opposition BJP party, Arun Jaitley, says the
resignation of the home minister will not be enough to address the government's
security failures.� �"This government has no moral right to survive now,"
Jaitley said.�� "It is this weak policy of this government where the entire
intelligence network had collapsed, the security responses were poor, the legal
framework dealing with terrorism is non-existent. I think the prime minister
must address the right questions, he'll find the right answers." �Some of
India's major media outlets are blasting the political establishment. The Times
of India published a front page comment in its Sunday edition titled "Our
politicians fiddle as innocents die." A Hindustan Times columnist blasted what
he called incompetent politicians for using "terrorism as an excuse to win
votes."Television news channels criticized politicians for showing up at the
scene of the terror attacks to make public comments while commandos were still
battling the gunmen. Abhishek Manu Singhvi of the Congress Party, which heads
the governing coalition, defends the administration, saying it is taking
matters seriously. �"It's a very serious issue for the nation that is being
grappled with at the highest levels," Singhvi said. The political fallout began
as Prime Minister Singh convened an all-party meeting Sunday afternoon to
discuss security and attempt to avoid the Mumbai terror attacks leading to
political upheaval and possibly sparking communal violence between Hindus and
Muslims. Islamic terrorists are blamed for the nearly 60-hour siege of Mumbai
which left about 175 people dead, including 18 foreigners, at ten locations.
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Ethnic Clashes Kill 17 in Pakistan
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Security forces are patrolling Karachi, where angry mobs have rampaged in parts
of the city, firing guns and setting fire to cars
Pakistani fire fighters struggle to extinguish a fire torched by rioters at a
timber market in Karachi, Pakistan, 30 Nov 2008At least 17 people have been
reported killed and more than 60 hurt in clashes between rival ethnic and
political groups in the Pakistani city of Karachi over the past two
days.Security forces are patrolling Karachi Sunday to prevent further violence
between members of a political party that represents Urdu speakers, Muttahida
Qaumi Movement, and another that represents Pashtuns, Awami National Party.�
Troops have been given orders to use their guns if necessary.Since Saturday,
angry mobs have rampaged in parts of the city, firing guns and setting fire to
cars.Today in northwest Pakistan, police say militants attacked a security post
in the town of Bannu, close to the Afghan border, killing three police.� Three
militants were killed in the fighting.In nearby Lakki Marwat, another three
policemen were killed when Taliban insurgents launched rockets at a security
checkpoint.Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
�
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Kabul Suicide Blast Kills 2 Civilians Near Parliament
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Police say three other people, also civilians, were wounded in Sunday's attack
Afghan officials say a suicide bomb has killed at least two civilians and
wounded several others in an attack that appeared to have been directed at a
German Embassy officials. VOA's Barry Newhouse has this report from the Afghan
capital. A German security man stands guard after a suicide attack on a German
Embassy vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, 30 Nov. 2008The attack occurred
near Afghanistan's parliament Sunday afternoon, close to a Toyota Landcruiser
carrying a group of foreigners. �Witnesses said the bomber was on foot when he
tiggered the blast. Mohammedajan, a young bicycle repairman, was working nearby
at the time of the explosion. �He says I was talking to one of my friends when
the blast occurred. After it, he says we flattened ourselves against the ground
until the police came. Afghanistan's parliament is a heavily guarded compound
ringed by tall blast walls. The explosion took place some 200 meters away, near
a high school and a convoy of NATO troops. �Kabul's police chief Mohammad Ayub
Salangi said those killed were civilians. �He says the bomber was targeting a
German embassy vehicle. He says none of the officials were wounded in the
attack. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned the blast and expressed his
condolences to the victims. The suicide bombing is the second in Kabul since
Thursday, when a car bomb blast killed four people and wounded some 20 others
outside the U.S. embassy.Afghanistan has experienced a surge in Taliban attacks
this year. But in Kabul in recent months, locals have expressed as much concern
over a rise in criminal activity as terrorist attacks. For-profit kidnappings,
robberies and car-jackings have plagued Afghan businessmen. Kidnappers have
also targeted foreigners. Taliban spokesmen have denied responsibility for many
of the crimes, but on Sunday, Kabul's police chief told reporters there is
solid evidence of links between some of the capital's criminal gangs and
Taliban militants. �
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Obama to Name Hillary Clinton Top US Diplomat
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To clear the way for Clinton to serve as Mr. Obama's top diplomat, officials
say her husband - former President Bill Clinton - has agreed to disclose the
names of all donors to his foundation
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to name his former rival Hillary
Clinton as his nominee for Secretary of State on Monday.Senator Hillary Rodham
Clinton in Harrisburg, PA, 21 Nov 2008
Mr. Obama will also announce other members of his national security team during
a press conference in Chicago Monday morning.� He is expected to keep Robert
Gates as defense secretary and name retired Marine General Jim Jones as
national security advisor.Mr. Obama and Senator Clinton competed for the
Democratic presidential nomination in a long and bruising contest.To clear the
way for Clinton to serve as Mr. Obama's top diplomat, officials say her husband
- former President Bill Clinton - has agreed to disclose the names of all
donors to his foundation.� Mr. Clinton is expected to reveal more than 200,000
names in order to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. � Mr. Clinton
will also refuse donations from foreign governments to his charity - the
Clinton Global Initiative.Officials say the former president has also agreed
not to hold CGI meetings overseas and submit his speaking schedule and
information about his business activities for review.�
�
�
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Zimbabwe Says Cholera Has Killed 425
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Head of a Zimbabwean doctors' association, Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights
chairman Douglas Gwatidzo, estimates that cholera has killed more than 800
people in the country
A grave digger works on a gravesite at the Mbudzi cemetary in Harare, Zimbabwe,
25 Nov 2003Zimbabwe's health minister says a cholera outbreak has killed at
least 425 people in his country since August.David Parirenyatwa told Zimbabwe's
state-run Sunday Mail newspaper the outbreak is likely to worsen as the rainy
season begins. He says rainwater could wash human feces into shallow wells,
contaminating a key water source for impoverished people.Zimbabwe's economic
crisis has led to a collapse in sewage and water systems and garbage
collection. Many communities have no clean water, forcing people to dig wells
and use latrines in their yards.The head of a Zimbabwean doctors' association,
Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights chairman Douglas Gwatidzo, estimates that
cholera has killed more than 800 people in the country. He says determining the
death toll is difficult because of what he called an information blackout by
the government in the early days of the outbreak. The Zimbabwean health
minister insists the government's cholera figures are accurate, saying he
discusses the outbreak with doctors around the country every day. He says the
disease has infected 11,000 people in recent months.Cholera cases also have
been reported in neighboring Botswana and South Africa, prompting U.N.
officials to warn the outbreak is taking on a dangerous regional
dimension.Authorities in the Zimbabwe capital, Harare, are offering free graves
to families of cholera victims. A grave costs about $30, a price out of reach
for most Zimbabweans struggling to cope with hyperinflation of more than 200
million percent. Cholera causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, but is easily
prevented by washing hands, cleaning foods and keeping drinking water away from
sewage. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.�
�
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Calm Gradually Returns to Nigerian City After Riots
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Soldiers restore order after several people killed, hundreds injured in two
days of clashes between Christians and Muslims in riot-hit Jos
Reports from the central Nigerian city of Jos say calm is slowly returning
after two days of post-election clashes between Muslims and Christians. In
Abuja, Gilbert da Costa reports governments troops have taken control of the
streets in Jos, though some incidents of sporadic violence were still being
reported.Soldiers with the authority to use deadly force to restore order have
increased security and are patrolling the streets of riot-hit Jos.Several
people were reported killed and hundreds injured in two days of clashes between
Christians and Muslims. Local residents say sporadic gunfire could still be
heard in some parts of the city, though security has improved.The president of
the 50,000 strong motorcycle taxi drivers association in Plateau state, of
which Jos is the capital, is Shehu Babangida. He told VOA at least 500 people
have been killed in two days of post-election violence as mobs burned homes,
churches and mosques."At the moment, I can authoritatively tell you that there
are over 500 dead people at the Masalaci [central mosque], apart from serious
destruction of property, homes, shops and cars and so on and so forth," he
said.Officials say the final count could be much higher as the death toll did
not include hospital figures, victims already buried, or those taken to other
places of worship.The Red Cross says thousands of people have fled their homes
and are seeking refuge in government buildings and religious centers.Some of
those displaced say they have had little help from the authorities. Among a
group of 10,000 Hausa Muslims sheltering at a local primary school is Abdullahi
Mohammed."We are more than 10,000 people - men, children and women. We are
choked in one place. We don't have water, no food, not even medicine to take of
those who are injured and the children. We don't have Red Cross or any
organization looking after us. I don't understand what the government is doing.
Government did not recognize where we are," said Mohammed. "They did not even
mention us in their media that the people of Tudun Wada are now refugees."A
spokesman for Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang said hundreds of youths found
to be carrying weapons had been arrested at military roadblocks.The tensions in
Plateau have roots in decades of resentment by indigenous minority groups,
mostly Christian or animist, toward migrants and settlers from Nigeria's
Hausa-speaking Muslim north.
�
�
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Pirates Agree to Release Ukraine Ship
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Somali pirates have reportedly agreed to release a Ukrainian ship and its
military cargo in return for a $3-million ransom from the vessel's owner
Somali pirates have reportedly agreed to release a Ukrainian ship and
its military cargo in return for a ransom from the vessel's owner.News agencies
say several people involved in the case confirmed the deal Sunday, including a
spokesman for the pirates, Sugule Ali, a man, Mikhail Voitenko, representing
the owner, and a Kenyan maritime official, Andrew Mwangura.The reports said the
pirates and the owner of the MV Faina were continuing to discuss how the ransom
should be delivered. The pirates initially demanded a $35-million ransom, but
later lowered their demand to $3 million.Pirates captured the Ukrainian ship on
September 24 in the Gulf of Aden as it headed to Kenya, carrying Russian-made
(T-72) tanks, ammunition and other military hardware. About 20 crew members
have been held on the vessel, mostly Ukrainians and Russians.Kenya says it was
the intended recipient of the Faina's� military cargo. But maritime officials
and diplomats in the region have said the cargo was destined for the government
of Sudan's southern autonomous region.Somali pirates have captured about 15
vessels in a recent wave of hijackings that has forced international warships
to patrol the Gulf of Aden. On November 15, pirates took a Saudi tanker
carrying $100 million worth of oil.� Some information for this report was
provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
�
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Counter-Demonstrations Boost Tensions in Thai Capital
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Unknown assailants threw explosives into a crowded site of a government house
compound protesters have occupied since late August
Thousands of Thai government supporters have rallied in downtown Bangkok to
denounce anti-government demonstrators who are seeking to oust Prime Minister
Somchai Wongsawat.� Meanwhile, explosions at key anti-government protest sites
in the Thai capital have left more than 50 people injured as political tensions
continued to escalate. As Ron Corben reports, leaders of the anti-government
protests have vowed to press on with the occupation ahead of a crucial court
decision this week that may lead to the government's resignation.
Anti-government protesters shout and cheer to activities on stage during
protest at government house in Bangkok, 29 Nov 2008Grenade explosions occurred
late Saturday night.� Unknown assailants threw the explosives into a crowded
government compound protesters have occupied since late August.� More than 50
people were injured.Attacks also occurred at an anti-government television
station with a second attack at the largely domestic airport of Don Muang 30
kilometers from Bangkok. At least two people have died and dozens wounded in
the escalating violence of recent weeks.The attacks have risen since the
anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD occupied the main
international airport of Suvanabhumi last Tuesday, forcing the airport's
closure. Protests then closed the Don Muang airport two days later. Suwai, a
supporter at a pro-government community radio station, says he fears for the
country's future. Pro-government demonstrators with one holding a portrait of
ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gather during a rally to support Prime
Minister Somchai Wongsawat outside city hall Sunday, 30 Nov. 2008 in Bangkok "I
feel I am not safe and I look forward and I cannot see the future for my
country," Suwai said. "We close the country at the airport,� we cannot
import/export.� We can not do business." �PAD leaders Sunday vowed to press
ahead with the protests despite crippling the multi-million dollar tourism and
travel industry. Industry sources say up to one million jobs are threatened
together with accumulating daily financial losses running into millions of
dollars. Efforts are underway to assist up to 100,000 stranded passengers to
leave through a Vietnam-war era airport at U-Tapao, 140 kilometers southeast
from Bangkok.� Thousands of foreign and local passengers have descended on the
airport in recent days in a bid to leave Thailand. The national carrier, Thai
Airways International, foreign embassies and Thai officials have been working
throughout the day to transport as manytravelers out of the country as
possible.� Officials estimate the protests could cut in half the number of
tourist arrivals to Thailand in 2009, to around sevenmillion people. �Thai
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, now in the northern city of Chiang Mai,
Friday declared a state of emergency in and around the two main airport
terminals. Police have been attempting to negotiate with the PAD to leave the
airports.� Airport authorities say the earliest the terminals may open again
isTuesday.Thai police man a checkpoint near the Suvarnabhumi airport compound
Sunday 30 Nov. 2008 in Bangkok ThailandAreewat Wortagorn, a PAD supporter, says
the situation will only be resolved with the resignation of the Prime Minister,
Somchai Wongsawat. �"Somchai out and the government stop to work and then have
a new government by the people.� Then we will move out from everyplace from the
airport, from Suvanabhumi," Areewat said.On Tuesday a constitutional court is
to hand down its verdict on whether Mr. Somchai's governing People's Power
Party, and other coalition partners are guilty of electoral breaches. The
government would be forced to dissolve parliament. �The PAD has accused Mr.
Somchai, the brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, of
remaining under Mr. Thaksin's influence. Mr. Thaksin fled Thailand in August
amid charges of corruption. He was later found guilty of corruption and
sentenced to two years prison. But pro-Thaksin supporters have accused the
judiciary of bias. Mr. Thaksin gained widespread popularity among the rural and
urban poor for his populist economic policies. The middle class accuse him of
authoritarianism and corruption.� �
�
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Romania Holds Parliamentary Elections
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Latest opinion polls show close race between two opposition parties -- the
former communist Social Democrats and centrist Liberal Democrats, with about 30
percent support each
Voters in Romania are electing a new parliament Sunday, amid concerns the
global economic crisis will bring layoffs and painful austerity measures to the
former Communist nation. As Stefan Bos reports for VOA from Budapest, voters
are likely to punish Romania's current pro-Western leaders who have been
criticized as out of touch with Romanians.Romanian Gypsy women cast their votes
in Sintesti, Romania, Sunday, 30 Nov. 2008Polling stations opened early Sunday
in Romania for an election that was expected to alter the political
landscape.Opinion polls indicate former Communists, now known as the Romanian
Social Democrats, may overtake the ruling center-right National Liberal Party
of the pro-Western Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu.Although Mr.
Tariceanu led Romania into the European Union, there has been concern over his
perceived inability to tackle social tensions in the country, including massive
layoffs linked to the global financial crisis.The country's main car maker and
food and steel factories dismissed some four thousand people last month alone,
and many of their suppliers have said they will fire workers as well.Speaking
at an election rally ahead of Sunday's vote, Social Democrats leader Mircea
Geoana said his party would be the best choice to revive years of economic
growth and more social benefits. His comments were translated by France 24
Television. "The approaching crisis calls for a Socialist administration with
its stability and professionalism. On the 30th of November we will win our
greatest victory," Geoana said.Women walk in front of electoral posters
downtown Bucharest, Romania a day before the country holds parliamentary
electionsHowever President Traian Basescu, an ally of the opposition Democrat
Liberal Party, has the power to name the next prime minister, no matter who
wins.In the sixth election since Communism was ended by a bloody revolt in
1989, Romanians will for the first time choose among individual candidates for
senators and deputies, rather than party lists, to fill the 452-member
parliament.As he cast his ballot, President Basescu said he hoped the new
voting system would result in a better functioning Parliament for this nation
of 22 million people. He says the new parliament should be filled with "those
with experience who have already been in power." Mr. Basescu adds he also wants
to see a new, young generation participating in politics who he says represent
"courage and cleanness" in politics.Some smaller parties are likely to play a
role in future coalitions, including the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in
Romania, which governed with the current prime minister. The party is backed by
many voters of the country's ethnic Hungarian minority of some 1.5 million
people. It is expected to receive about five percent of the nationwide ballots
cast.� �
�
�
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Shuttle Endeavour to Land After Space Station Mission
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NASA officials at Mission Control say they are watching weather patterns in
Florida to see when the shuttle Endeavour can safely return to Earth
Space Shuttle Endeavour is preparing to land after an 11-day mission to the
International Space Station. VOA's Brian Wagner reports that officials are
trying to schedule the landing Sunday to avoid high winds and rain showers in
Florida. Clouds move in behind the Vehicle Assembly building as unfavorable
weather prevented space shuttle Endeavour from landing at its home base at the
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., 30 Nov. 2008NASA officials at
Mission Control say they are watching weather patterns in Florida to see when
the shuttle Endeavour can safely return to Earth. �"The first opportunity for
landing at Kennedy Space Center was waved off earlier due to forecasts that
showed cross winds out of limits for Endeavour's return, in addition to
thunderstorms and rain within the area." Officials say weather may continue to
pose a problem for a second opportunity in Florida. If not, weather conditions
are good at the back-up landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in
California.The Endeavour crew was on a 16-day mission to space, which included
delivering new supplies and equipment to expand the facilities on board the
International Space Station.The additions of a new bathroom, kitchen and
sleeping quarters will enable officials to double the size of the space station
crew from three to six by next year. The station also received a new recycling
device that converts urine and sweat into pure water for astronauts to drink
while living at the station. In this photo released by NASA, the 7 Endeavour
astronauts and 3 Expedition 18 crew members share a Thanksgiving meal on the
middeck of the orbiter, 27 Nov 2008Astronauts conducted four space walks during
the mission, to install new equipment to the station and repair a joint on a
solar panel.Astronaut Gregory Chamitoff will be returning to Earth aboard
Endeavor, after living in space for six months. He is replaced at the station
by Sandra Magnus.Saturday, astronauts flew around the station to allow
officials to inspect the shuttle for possible damage to the ship's heat shield.
The maneuver has become standard procedure since the shuttle Columbia broke
apart during reentry in 2003 because of damage to its heat shield.The next
shuttle mission is set for February, when Discovery is to deliver additional
equipment to the space station. �
�
�
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