Zimbabwe frees human rights activist; Pakistan bombing calls long-term security into question; Obama, Brown discuss “global New Deal”…
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Related subjects: Africa, Americas, Congressional Oversight, Economic Recovery, Mortgage & Credit Crisis, Obama administration, Obama's 1st 100 days, Open Government, Pakistan, Security & Surveillance, The Global Intercept, U.S. Politics Comments Off
Zimbabwe has released a top human rights activist whose detention was illegal, according to activists, the opposition and foreign governments. Zimbabwe power-sharing arrangement still under strain as Mugabe regime seeks to guard against prosecution for past crimes.
After a sustained series of bombings across Pakistan, an attack by gunmen in Lahore, this time targeting a cricket team, apparently aimed at disrupting Pakistan’s relation to western allies, raises concerns about stability of the government. Taliban fighters have been taking ever more ground in the northeastern region, approaching the capital Islamabad, creating real concern about the government’s stability.
UK PM Gordon Brown, meeting with US pres. Barack Obama in Washington, said he believes “There is the possibility of a global New Deal”, that will coordinate economic recovery and even spur a “green recovery, a low-carbon recovery”, with a cooperative framework that allows even rivals to work together to fashion a more sustainable global economic system, where neither banking nor industry are likely to undermine long-term health.
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Brown said efforts will be made to avoid “shadow banking systems” and “regulatory tax havens”, which can put problematic strains on the existing banking system. Tax havens can also put serious strain on governments that rely on their internal revenue to secure complex economies against manipulations or fraud.
The president of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, as part of an ongoing struggle against endemic corruption, has dismissed over 700 policemen. He has also forced the retirement of 31 generals, in connection with allegations about the involvement of at least 538 military officials (purged in the last 6 months) in drug trafficking.
According to the Latin American Herald:
The president named Saturday a new navy commander, Homero Luis Lajara Sola, who warned that he will jail every member of his service who is found to be involved in criminal acts.
In his annual state of the nation address last Friday, Fernandez slammed the part played by the armed forces and police in the drug trade and other crimes, activities that, he said, have “terrified” the population.
Sen. Sanders demands Fed Chair Bernanke release names of banks that borrowed a total of $2.2 trillion from the Federal Reserve Bank in recent bailout efforts. Bernanke refused, during his Congressional testimony, saying the nature of the loans along with collateral terms are published on the Fed’s website. Sanders has said he will introduce legislation to force the release of bank names.
Transport Sec. Ray LaHood yesterday said: “The work begins today in Montgomery County, Maryland, where a work crew is starting on a project to resurface Maryland State Highway 650 — a very busy road that has not been fully repaired in 17 years.” Pres. Obama praised the project as a sign the ARRA is beginning to work toward economic recovery.
CNN iReporter says 34% of New Yorkers are now forced to choose between paying rent and buying food, while department stores, divorced from reality, are asking consumers to spend $1,100 on trenchcoats and $230 on t-shirts. Concerns about big business holding out for sudden change in consumer spending ability mount, as efforts to emerge from recession seem slow in private sector.
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