Outside powers have turned Pakistan into a powder keg
The News Review:
- Outside powers have turned Pakistan into a powder keg
- Nigeria: FG Set to Improve Current Credit Rating
- Producers scathing of cartel
- The Allstar MKVibe Tour listings
- Mo is satisfied, but don’t mention July to him
- Home, sweet home
Outside powers have turned Pakistan into a powder keg
Guardian Unlimited – Oct 20, 2007
The country has shown once again that political opportunism, home grown and nourished by foreign interests, is deadly for ordinary Pakistanis. The media hyperventilation over the return of Benazir Bhutto is a clear indication not only that nothing has changed – but that no meaningful change is intended. An army general is entrenched as president for another five years. If the promised elections are held, they would be anything but fair and free, given that Bhutto is supposed to win and provide a democratic front for a military ruler. The Pakistani Taliban – whom many are blaming for Thursday night’s assassination attempts – continue their reign of terror in the northern provinces of the country, complete with suicide bombings and beheadings, with increasing impunity… The vast majority of Pakistanis feel utterly impotent and the poor and the innocent suffer the brunt of the violence unleashed by the fanatics. Bhutto, the twice-failed prime minister, talks an impressive line about moderate Islam, development, and democracy. Her rhetoric is music to the ears of the White House, which has engineered her deal with General Musharraf. It allows her to evade the outstanding corruption charges which otherwise would have impeded her making another tilt for power. None of Bhutto’s rhetorical qualities – liberalising Islam, genuine development or empowering democracy – were much in evidence during her previous administrations. The father of the Pakistani bomb, AQ Khan, whom she is now willing to hand over to international authorities, was diligently at work developing his weapons while she was in power. The opportunities to tackle endemic poverty were frittered away in corrupt feathering of the fortunes of favoured citizens, most notably her husband.
Nigeria: FG Set to Improve Current Credit Rating
AllAfrica.com – Oct 20, 2007
He said: "The fourth and final review of the IMF's two-year Policy Support Instrument (PSI) would be on October 15. We are thinking of a successor programme. "The PSI represents IMF backing for Nigeria's home-grown economic reform programme launched in 2003, and the signing of the PSI has contributed to improving investor confidence in Nigeria. Committing to some measurable benchmarks of fiscal prudence that the PSI contains was a major factor in the Paris Club debt relief deal signed in 2005, under which Nigeria used windfall oil savings to pay off $12 billion in debts to the rich creditor nations in return for a write-off of another $18 billion.
Producers scathing of cartel
NEWS.com.au – Oct 20, 2007
content-row clearfloat –> THE busting of the Visy-Amcor cardboard packaging cartel represented vindication for Queensland fruit and vegetable growers who were among the first to raise the alarm. But growers say a dearth of suppliers still leaves them boxed in. Farmers, who themselves tap into national pride to encourage consumer loyalty for their home-grown produce, said they had looked to support two Australian-owned packaging companies rather than buy imported cardboard boxes for transporting their goods. But their supportive goodwill was not returned. Instead, Visy and Amcor, the two packaging companies that controlled 90 per cent of the national cardboard carton market, reaped an estimated $700 million between 2000 and 2004 from overcharging business customers as they fixed prices and carved up the markets, according to estimates from lawyers representing cartel victims. Fierce criticism has been levelled at the Howard Government for failing to legislate for the criminalisation of corporate crimes, leaving Australia lagging behind global best practice. Visy billionaire Richard Pratt and senior Visy executives in court this week admitted to their role in the deal to fix prices in Australia’s $2 billion a year cardboard container market.
The Allstar MKVibe Tour listings
Skiddle.com – Oct 20, 2007
html#content” >Nearby area. html#content” >Venue. eventinfobox{border-right:0px solid #CCC; width:150px; float:left;padding:2px 5px 2px 2px;} The Allstar MKVibe Tour details
MKVIBE CHARITY GIG SUPPORTS MADCAP
Milton Keynes’ new music and entertainment movement, MKVibe is reaching a new level as it reveals ‘The Allstar MKVibe Tour’ fundraiser event at the Madcap Theatre on Saturday 20th October. Previously, MKVibe has promoted its young adult nights to under 18s but this event is giving over 18s the chance to see what all the hype is about and watch some of the most talented music performers and artists in Milton Keynes. From singers to dancers and DJs to beatboxers, MKVibe gives locally produced music talent the chance to let others discover their skills while providing entertainment to a live audience. Saturday 20th sees a mix of new and regular performers unite to give a three hour extravaganza and raise money for Madcap. Featuring the likes of B-Kay and Kazz; Nemisis; Flaunt; Bulletkid; Sam Jenkins; talent; Alex; Rocky & Fathomless, F-Tizzle, Mixed Origin and newly discovered vocal sensation, Natalie… Tunes will be spun by DJ Tonic; DJ Slaxx ; & DJ Rayzie with a sexy RnB and bashment feel. It will be night of quality music, superb performances, excellent dance routines and great fun, with a real MK Vibe feel. If you have ever wondered just how good our home grown singers and performers are, this is the evening for you. 30 with the show starting at 7.
Mo is satisfied, but don’t mention July to him
SLAM! Sports – Oct 20, 2007
“It’s our aim to help develop these kids,” he said. “What we would like is that all of the best Canadian players be given a chance to play at home rather than travel overseas to pursue their dreams. To that end Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. , will launch a youth soccer academy early next season to foster home-grown talent. “We are going to look at how the big teams like Manchester operate their academies when we are in Europe scouting players in the off-season,” said Johnston, who then tipped his cap to the fans. “I’ve played in many big international games,” said the former Scottish national captain. “I get those same kinds of goose bumps coming out to play in front for our fans.
Home, sweet home
Toronto Star – Oct 20, 2007
Their stories are on page L10 I am a 52-year-old married mother with two early twentysomething offspring still living at home. I am not serving them any cheese, but they are not budging. They would probably tell you they’re home for economic reasons only, but they would be lying. They are also here because life at home is so easy. Their food is on tap, their accommodation is comfortable and they are not sharing bathrooms with strangers. My son just started an entry-level job. After paying for TTC and other expenses, he hardly has a penny, despite five years of post-secondary education… Now we treat each other as adults and friends. The best relationship ever. Tara Ramchandani, Mississauga I have three grown sons. My 38-year-old and his bride lived in our basement for three years before they could buy a house. My 36-year-old got divorced and has been home for five years – in the basement vacated by his brother. My 32-year-old is in his bedroom. There are rules: no smoking inside, no drinking to excess, no women sleeping over, no swearing and they must clean their rooms.