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World News Once a Week |
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| Published Friday, August 4, 2006 |
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| Reuters/Claudia Daut: Fidel Castro attends an event in Bayamo, Cuba. |
Issue 07
The citizens of both Cuba and the Congo pondered regime change this week, after nearly half a century without a functioning
democracy in either country. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, torn asunder by genocide and civil war, finally held national elections for the first time in 46 years — but the kind of power that comes only by force is nowhere near extinct.
In Cuba, Fidel Castro's health problems shined the spotlight on a man who lives in the shadows: his brother, Raúl. The temporary
transfer of power between the two men prompted Western media to engage in Kremlinology — the Cold War art of reading the faces of Moscow's
leaders each May Day parade to see who would rule next. This led to wild speculation that El Jefe was dead already, causing people to dance for joy in Miami's Little Havana. But as the citizens of the real Havana and the
Congo know all too well, it's easy to dance too soon in a dictatorship.
- Christian Moerk |
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When it comes to advice, no one has a bigger agenda than friends and family. Why not consult a stranger for help with
life's problems? "Since You Asked" is about everything: relationships, careers, expressing your creative self, and getting
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| Top Stories |
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Kremlinology Is Back as Castro's Brother Takes Charge
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Fidel Castro Ruz, who has ruled Cuba since abolishing free elections shortly after his 1959 takeover, created a minor revolution
the other day when he ceded power to his brother Raúl — albeit only temporarily — after undergoing gastric surgery. The government's official news outlet, Granma, dismissed the significance, claiming El Jefe is already doing much better, and that a new day for Cuba is still nowhere near.
The United States and other countries have speculated on who Cuba's next crown prince might be, hoping that the country might ease into a capitalist market economy upon Castro's death. But this brief handover
to Raúl suggests the Castro Ruz family won't go quietly. (CM)
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After a Century of Despair, Democracy for DR Congo?
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo recently held its first democratic elections in 46 years. Despite patches of violence — especially in the eastern part of
the country — voter turnout was high; up to 90% of the 25.6 million electorate cast votes.
The elections mark a major turning point for a country still struggling in the wake of a civil war that killed nearly four
million people from 1996 to 2003. Incumbent ruler Joseph Kabila is expected to win, even though armed rebel leaders threaten not to relinquish power. No official victory announcement is expected for another few weeks, but no matter who wins, there
is widespread hope that he will harness the energy of the elections to lead a bitterly divided country forward. (JC)
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Israel Strikes Lebanon as Truce Is Put on Hold
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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had the early stages of a ceasefire in place when Israeli forces bombed the Qana refugee
camp in Lebanon. The bombing, which killed scores of civilians, put ceasefire plans on hold. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has launched a record 2,000 missiles into Israel, and IDF commandos have struck the Hezbollah stronghold of Baalbek in northern Lebanon. UN peacekeepers are still not deployed.
And in the international PR war, Israel seems to be losing ground. President Bush was criticized for siding too uncritically with Israel, while several news sources and governments took the Qana bombing as a sign that Israel has overreached in its attempt to free Israeli hostages. (CM)
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| Newswire |
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| Politics |
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Blair Calls for New Middle East Strategy
Beset with political opposition at home, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is now calling for a whole new Mideast strategy, saying
military actions alone will only exacerbate problems in the region. (CM)
| Guardian | Telegraph |
After Delaying, Iran Rejects UN Nuclear Terms
After months of hinting that he might abide by the United Nations' demand for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has rejected any such talk, calling the UN resolution "illegal." (CM)
| Globe and Mail | BBC |
Minimum Wage Bill Tied to Estate Tax
A bill increasing the US minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 will go to vote in the Senate this week. The inclusion of stipulations
providing enormous estate tax exemptions, however, means Democrats may not sign. (JC)
| Washington Post | Fox News |
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| Business |
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Final Nail in Khodorkovsky Coffin as Yukos Is Sold
Russian energy giant Yukos has declared bankruptcy and will be sold. This caps three years during which ex-chairman Mikhail Khodorkovsky supported anti-Putin alternative candidates and was arrested, leading to investor flight. (CM)
| Kommersant | New York Times |
Massive Layoffs at Varig
Varig announced it would lay off 5,500 of its nearly 9,500 workers this week. Purchasers of the Brazilian airline giant are trying
to bring the company out of nearly $3 billion in debt by cutting expenses. (JC)
| MSN | Voice of America |
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| Science & Technology |
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Morning-after Pill Back Up for Discussion in FDA
After nixing it nearly three years ago, the FDA is again considering over-the-counter sales of the "morning-after pill." The administration has asked the drug's manufacturer to limit sales to women 18 and older. (JC)
| San Francisco Chronicle | WebMD |
Genetic Malfunction Keeps Some from Feeling Full
Always hungry? Scientists at the University of Florida may know why. Studies suggest that some people possess a genetic defect
that keeps them from knowing when their stomachs are full. (JC)
| Science Daily | SAWF News |
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| The Week in Pictures |
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Click to see the full-size image and caption.
 Ali Hashisho
 David Gray
 B. Mathur
 David Moir
 Karoly Arvai
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*Unless otherwise noted, all photos are courtesy of Reuters.
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| Local Stories |
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Japanese Fear Movie about Emperor Will Spark Riots
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Tenno Showa, also known as Emperor Hirohito, presided over Japan's invasion of China and subsequent attack on Pearl Harbor. Now citizens are worried that a new film
attempting to humanize him will spark right-wing riots. (CM)
| Times UK | China Daily |
Tourists in Tenerife Aid African Migrants
Sunbathers on the Canary Island of Tenerife aided 88 African migrants — many plagued by dehydration and hypothermia — who
barely made it to shore. More than 11,000 Africans have landed in the Islands this year amid continued immigration issues for Europe. (JC)
| BBC | MSNBC |
While Bombs Fall, Culture Barely Hangs On
Ghazi Abdel Baki, a Lebanese music producer, was ready to do what he's always done: release a new album and party all night. Then the invasion
happened. But he's determined to keep the music alive. (CM)
| New York Times |
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Managing Editor
Christian Moerk
Deputy Editor
Justin Carter
Contributing Editors
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Jonathan Schultz
Production
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Morgan Croney
Eli Dvorkin
Jules Gaffney
Andrew Steinmetz
Design
Nicholas Feldman
Jessica Bauer-Greene
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