Russia has now completely cut oil supplies to Germany, Poland, and Ukraine after shutting down the Druzhba pipeline. Russia blames Belarus, who was illegally siphoning off the oil. Although this has no enormous effect on Europe’s imported oil supplies, it could have long term effects that invariably increase a rise in prices.
Belarus blames Russia for failure to pay the costly transit cost for moving oil through the country. For payment, Belarus took the liberty of taking portions of the transported oil. Russia does not abide by these payments stating them against the law. “Last week Belarus said it would charge Russia $45 (£23) per tonne of oil that passed through its country.” (BBC)
Germany is concerned that with the closure of the pipeline. The Druzhba pipeline running from Russian through Belarus and Eastern Europe may have a drastic effect on Germany, Poland, and Ukraine.
Image courtesy of CBC
The war in Somalia has not ended, and will not end anytime soon. It is beginning to look like Iraq for the UIC that was just run out of the country by Ethiopian troops and the Somalian government is bend on revenge. They declare they will not give up and will die to take Somalia back. They are now influenced by the Al-Queda and are planning guerilla attacks in Mogadishu. Over 2000 Islamist guerilla troops are believed to reside in the capital city. The Somali Islamists have been educted by the Al-Queda to fight like terrorits – car bombs, suicide bombings, etc will now develop in Somalia. This will be another Iraq.
The original story.
The death of North Korea’s foreign minister, Paek Nam-sun, will not put an obstacle on in Korea’s path. This foreign minister, had little power, due to the highly authoritarian regime of Kim Jong-il. Although Kim expressed his condolences for Paek, he will not set back the foreign policy of this country.
Kim Jong-il has held most power over his country in many aspects, limiting the power of his advisers and ministers. Since 1998, Paek Nam-sun has been a major supporter of the controversial nuclear program under global attack today. Fortunately, for the safety of society, the true ideology of communism, and the rest of the world, this dangerously influenced man has passed away at 78.
Following the brutal and increasingly controversial execution of Saddam Husein in Iraq last week, many have debated over “Corporal Punishment” or physical punishment, as flogging, inflicted on the body of one convicted of a crime.
Italy, specifically, has proposed a global ban on execution to the UN. In the past, they have unsuccessfully had similar talks in 1994 and again a year later. According to BBC, “The leader of the current centre-left coalition [Prime Minister Romano Prodi] has said no crime can justify one person killing another.”
Now I don’t completely understand how Italy will try to even propose this ban for the third time, not to its own Italian people, but worldwide. Each nation and states within most nations have the right to their own government, therefore managing their own laws. The United States for example, will be against this proposal to a high extreme, not only because they are responsible for a big chuck of Saddam’s execution, but also because many states have the death penalty. These states strongly defend their right to have their own state laws without federal interference.
First of all, a global ban on execution is completely impossible due to the many nations, rogue or not, in the world that will be opposed because it effects their leadership, culture, religious beliefs, etc. Maybe Italy is trying to get a ban for UN nations, which would seem more possible, but still way out of reach. It is just like saying the UN is federal law, and all the countries under the UN are federally governed states. There will be much opposition, needless to say.
More from BBC:
“The Iraqi government has said that Italy has no right to criticise Saddam Hussein’s execution when, at the end of World War II, the fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini, was killed by partisans and left hanging by his feet in a Milan square to the derision of crowds.
Mussolini’s granddaughter, Alessandra, a right-wing MP, joined in the argument, saying she found the killing of Saddam Hussein disgusting and shameful.”
Ban Ki-Moon, a 62-year-old native of South Korea, has been en stated the successor of Kofi Annan of Ghana this week. He started off by promising attention to Sudan, which has been experiencing a crisis in the Darfur region. Escalating violence and human rights abuse is a major issue on the agenda which the former Kofi Annan began to solve. We will see how this new Secretary-General proves he is the man for the job by the way he handles the ethnic violence in Darfur.
Ban has also stated he will meet with the African Union and help keep an eye on the current situation with Ethiopia and Somalia. Talks to support the 7,000 AU troops in Darfur with UN peace-keeping troops have been engaged.
On North Korea, Ban has stated it is a top priority. He’s been making some sort of diplomacy with South Korea’s foreign minister to limit his nuclear ambitions. The only challenges that stand in the way are international support. The UN cannot be run by one man or one country alone. It must be a common goal sought by all in order to be swiftly tackled successfully.
Photo courtesy of Reuters
Kismayo, a port in southern Somalia and the last Islamist stronghold in the nation, has been fled by the militia upon combined forces of Ethiopian troops and fighters loyal to the current Somalian government. Kenya has strengthened it’s border with Somalia to prevent a snowball effect rolling in from the north. 
No one wants this military action to spread across the continent of Africa and provoke international conflicts.
The expulsion of the Islamist militia, a part of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), will unlikely stop the fighting and their influence through a predominantly Muslim nation. The African Union has been asked to support this maneuver and help keep peace within the African Community. A reported 30,000 displaced people and many casualties have turned the international eye upon Somalia.
BBC reports:
An Islamic commander, Sheikh Yaqub Ishak, confirmed his forces had left Kismayo, but said they would not “stop fighting the Ethiopian invader”. The Islamists have rejected offers of talks with the government, saying Ethiopia must withdraw its forces first.
Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa told the BBC that his country was ready to commit 1,000 troops as part of an African regional peace-keeping force, with a mandate to protect the government and help train troops.
Map courtesy of usaid.gov
