Peacekeepers 'abusing children'

Children as young as six are being sexually abused by peacekeepers and aid workers, says a leading UK charity.
Children in post-conflict areas are being abused by the very people drafted into such zones to help look after them, says Save the Children.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7420798.stm

Mugabe in Europe for Food Conference

Skirting some restrictions on his international travel, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe arrived in Rome over the weekend to attend a United Nations food conference, and raised protests Monday from some European and other lawmakers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/world/africa/03zimbabwe.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

India set to exempt Africa from rice ban

India is facing growing pressure from African countries to exempt them from export bans on rice implemented by New Delhi to curb domestic food price inflation.
The pressure illustrates how efforts by large producers such as India to control a sharp rise in food costs are hurting poor nations and giving rise to a form of rice diplomacy.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae3591da-2ffb-11dd-86cc-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

It’s All About Leverage

The fact is, Mr. Obama was right to say that he would talk with any foe, if it would advance U.S. interests. The Bush team negotiated with Libya to give up its nuclear program, even after Libya had accepted responsibility for blowing up Americans on Pan Am Flight 103. Those negotiations succeeded, though, not because Mr. Bush was better “prepared,” but because, at the time, shortly after the invasion of Iraq, Mr. Bush had leverage.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/opinion/01friedman.html?em&ex=1212552000&en=a0f21040e380c8ee&ei=5087%0A

Sudan ousts British officer from Darfur peace mission

The struggling United Nations mission in Darfur has suffered a fresh blow after its British chief of staff was forced out by the Sudanese government. Brigadier Patrick Davidson-Houston, the most senior non-African official in the joint UN and African Union mission, said he was "extremely disappointed" to be leaving Darfur just six months into his one-year contract.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/sudan-ousts-british-officer-from-darfur-peace-mission-837426.html

Murdered by Mugabe's mob

Tonderai Ndira will not be campaigning when Zimbabwe votes again. He will not rally his neighbourhood, as he did two months ago, for one last push against an unwanted regime. Instead, he is buried in an unmarked grave in the Warren Hills cemetery in Harare.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/murdered-by-mugabes-mob-838145.html

Why Is Oprah Sliding? Don't Blame the Other O

Ever since Oprah Winfrey endorsed Barack Obama for President a year ago, there’s been a tendency in the media to yoke their fortunes. They’re both African American Chicagoans, from humble backgrounds, with cross-racial appeal. They’re charismatic leaders, inspiring passionate—to their critics, cultish—followings with messages of empowerment and change. And their names both start with O! We’re simple folk, we in the press.
http://www.time-blog.com/tuned_in/2008/06/why_is_oprah_sliding_dont_blam.html?xid=newsletter-daily