Zimbabwe's oath ceremony

The title should be ‘how Africa’s caricature Hitler parodies democracy! The swearing-in of Zimbabwe's new power-sharing cabinet has been marred by the arrest of one minister and a dispute over several others.

Roy Bennett, the MDC's choice to become deputy agriculture minister, was reportedly seized near a Harare airport just before the ceremony. Several extra Zanu-PF ministers of state then turned up to be sworn in.

Zimbabwe’s dictator and known racist, Robert Mugabe works hard his way to The Hague International Court and his case for crimes against humanity with more parodies, unfortunately that’s the only truth about Zimbabwe! What remains to be seen is when he and his murderous squads will be arrested.

Zimbabwe inflation rockets to 11,250,000%

The rate of inflation in Zimbabwe jumped to just over 11,250,000% in June, official figures show. "It gained 9,035,045.5 percentage points from the May rate of 2,233,713.4%," said state media quoting the Central Statistical Office (CSO). However, experts believe the actual rate of inflation may be much higher.

Zimbabwe is in the midst of a dire economic crisis with unemployment at almost 80%, most manufacturing at a halt and basic foods in short supply.

High money supplies have also been fuelling hyperinflation. Critics have accused Africa's caricature dictator Robert Mugabe's government of printing money to finance his election campaign and prop up the economy. Month-on-month inflation in the country accelerated to 839.3% from 433.4%.

Mugabe must go soon, today …yesterday!

Mugabe’s …democracy

“One of them grabbed my arm and flung me to the ground... They dragged me by my hair to where my husband was lying and they trussed us up with ropes lying on the gravel."

That’s how Mugabe’s supporters understand democracy!!!

Go hang

A spokesman for Zimbabwean dictator and caricature Hitler, Robert Mugabe has rejected Western criticism of the country's disputed presidential run-off election.

At an African Union summit in Egypt, George Charamba said the West had no basis to speak about the situation - and can "go hang a thousand times".

Zanu-PF's Robert Mugabe said he had won the vote, boycotted by the opposition.

Little prick, you are lucky I’m totally against the capital punishment otherwise I would like to explain to you who should go and …hang and why!!!

Robert Mugabe subdued in victory

Mugabe votes …Mugabe

Voting is reported to have got off to a slow start in Zimbabwe's run-off presidential election in which Robert Mugabe is the only candidate.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from the contest because of violence against his supporters. He told them that if they had to vote to protect themselves from attacks to do so, but described the day as "a shameful humiliation" for the country.

Mugabe ignored calls from world leaders to postpone the poll. Foreign ministers for the Group of Eight nations (G8) meeting in Japan said they could not accept the legitimacy of a Zimbabwe government "that does not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people". US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said they would consult other members of the UN Security Council to see what "next steps" might need to be taken.

That’s how caricature Africa’s Hitler understands democracy!!!

Mugabe’s real face

A Harare journalist says he has seen militiamen loyal to President Robert Mugabe chopping off people's hands and breaking their fingers to prevent them from voting in Friday's runoff.

His story speaks to a larger violence that has wracked the African nation since April. The 23-year-old woman in Harare, Zimbabwe, said she could talk, but only briefly. It was 3:30 p.m. there and she had to be home before the 6 p.m. curfew, she said.

"I should be home in an hour, hour and a half. If I'm not home by then, it means trouble," she said Tuesday. Zimbabweans are accustomed to violence, but the beatings and bloodshed have been epidemic since early April, days after opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai pushed longtime President Robert Mugabe into a runoff election for the nation's top post.

Tsvangirai dropped out of the race this week, citing intimidation and vote-rigging. He is now in hiding at the Dutch Embassy, uncertain like most Zimbabweans whether the violence would continue. Zimbabweans and outside observers say militias loyal to Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) have engaged in intimidation tactics designed to deter Tsvangirai's supporters from casting ballots.

The real face of a monster called Mugabe!

US to ignore Zimbabwe poll result

The US will not recognize the outcome of Friday's presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe, a senior state department official has said.

Robert Mugabe could not claim a legitimate victory amid the current campaign of violence against the opposition. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has withdrawn from the poll, but Mugabe says the vote will go ahead. Southern African leaders are to meet to discuss the crisis on Wednesday.

Mugabe, Africa’s caricature Hitler must go now!

Ovi today

Mugabe must go by Thanos Kalamidas
Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai announced that his party is pulling out from the elections stating that this election will not be fair and free, yet he automatically hands victory to Mugabe!

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Don't sit here or you could be beaten by Linda Lane
I stopped a fight between 15 men at 3am in Dhaka Airport, over one man wanting to sit in the seats pictured. These were the only comfortable seats left in the room where one could conceivably have a nap.

Bush Fait Ses Adieux a l'Europe by Europe & Us
Ce fut davantage une visite protocolaire qu’une tournée d’adieux chargée en émotions. A cinq mois des élections présidentielles américaines...

Lift Spirits #06 by Thanos K & Asa B
Lift doors slide open, you enter, press the button and then face that awkward proximity to a stranger... perhaps this will lift your spirit./too

Criticism mounts on Zimbabwe

International criticism is mounting on Zimbabwe after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of a presidential run-off because of pre-poll violence.

Zambia's leader Levy Mwanawasa, who heads a regional bloc, said a vote held in current conditions would be an "embarrassment" to the region. The US urged UN action over President Robert Mugabe's "illegitimate" regime.

Zimbabwe's ruling party said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn from the poll to avoid "humiliation".

Africa’s caricature dictator, Robert Mugabe has to go NOW!

Mugabe the psycho!

Robert Mugabe has accused the opposition of lying about political violence in the country to cast doubt on forthcoming polls.

The opposition says at least 70 of its supporters have been killed and many more beaten in the run-up to next week's presidential run-off election. He also said the opposition MDC would never be allowed to run the country and that "only God" could remove him.

The MDC is due to decide on Monday whether to contest the run-off. Speaking at a campaign rally in the southern city of Bulawayo on Friday, Mugabe told supporters: "We will never allow an event like an election reverse our independence, our sovereignty." Mugabe repeated his accusation that the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was acting in the interest of Britain, the former colonial power, and other Western countries.

The man is definitely a psycho and perhaps a cell in a psychiatric clinic will be the best solution!

Mugabe fights …traitors!

President Robert Mugabe has vowed that the main opposition party will never lead Zimbabwe and said he was prepared to "go to war" for his country.

He is due to face Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, in a 27 June run-off poll. Mr. Tsvangirai was released after being arrested for the fifth time this week. Meanwhile, deputy MDC leader Tendai Biti appeared in court in Harare, where a judge is to rule on the legality of his arrest on treason charges.

Mr. Tsvangirai has been detained several times on the campaign trail. On Saturday, he was stopped with 11 members of his party at a roadblock, the MDC said, and held at a police station for three hours. The MDC issued a statement saying that it was now clearly impossible to talk about free and fair elections.

The man who is responsible for treason against humanity talks about …traitors?

Veterans for Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe has warned that Zimbabwe's war of independence veterans are ready to fight to stop the MDC gaining power, state media report.

Mugabe was quoted by the Herald newspaper as saying the veterans had asked approval to take up arms but he had dissuaded them. They said Zimbabwe was won "by the barrel of the gun" and should not be surrendered by a vote, he said.

Tensions have been high ahead of a presidential run-off poll on 27 June. Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mugabe but not the 50% needed for outright victory.

The veterans of what? His secret services? The ones who torture and kill the Zimbabwean people day after day? The veteran traitors of the humanity?

The army in Mugabe’s campaign

Documents outline plans by ruling party Zanu-PF to harass and drive out opposition supporters, especially from rural areas. A run-off presidential vote is due to take place later in the month.

More than 60 people have been killed, thousands beaten and many more driven from their homes in related violence. Testimony from eye-witnesses and victims from across Zimbabwe as well as internal party documents show that violence and intimidation are being used to try to guarantee the re-election of Robert Mugabe against the challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), on 27 June.

The documents suggest that the Joint Operations Command (JOC) is now running logistics and operations. The JOC is made up of the heads of the military and state security organizations.

Another document lays out the party's tactics, including the use of scarce food supplies as a political weapon. "Basic commodities should be sold from either people's shops or pro-Zanu-PF shops," it says. "Emphasis should be in party strongholds."

What more do we need to understand that Mugabe is running one of the worst dictatorships Africa ever met and he has to go now! Soon is just …not soon enough!

Venezuela’s spy law

A new intelligence law brought in by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has caused concern among rights groups who say it threatens civil liberties.

Mr. Chavez argues the law will help Venezuela guarantee its national security and prevent assassination plots and military rebellions. The new law requires Venezuelans to cooperate with intelligence agencies and secret police if requested.

Refusal can result in up to four years in prison. The law allows security forces to gather evidence through surveillance methods such as wiretapping without obtaining a court order, and authorities can withhold evidence from defense lawyers if it is considered to be in the interest of national security.

One part of the law, which explicitly requires judges and prosecutors to cooperate with the intelligence services, has caused concern among legal experts. "Here you have the president legislating by decree that the country's judges must serve as spies for the government," Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas Director for Human Rights Watch, said.

Chavez seems to find out that there is a line that separates a public hero to a dictator and unfortunately he’s ready to cross this line!

Africa’s caricature Hitler, Mugabe and his gangsters’ army

Zimbabwe's army chief has told soldiers they must leave the military if they do not vote for incumbent President Robert Mugabe in next month's run-off poll.

Chief-of-staff Maj Gen Martin Chedondo said soldiers had signed up to protect Mr. Mugabe's principles of defending the revolution, state media reported. "If you have other thoughts, then you should remove that uniform," he said.

Gen Chedondo was speaking at a target-shooting competition outside Harare, the Herald newspaper reported. Zimbabwe's generals have in the past vowed never to support the main opposition candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, if he is elected in the 27 June run-off election.

That’s if you had any questions on how far Mugabe’s junta can go! Africa’s caricature Hitler is using the army now and the list for the candidates for the international courts is getting bigger. Monster torturer and idiotic gangster Martin Chedondo is definitely going to keep company to Robert in the dark cell!

A plot to kill in Zimbabwe

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has postponed a return to Zimbabwe because of concerns about a plot to kill him.

"We have received information from a credible source concerning a planned assassination attempt," his spokesman George Sibotshiwe said.

Mr Tsvangirai was set to return to campaign for a run-off presidential election against Robert Mugabe. On Friday, the US ambassador warned post-election violence had made a fair second round run-off vote impossible.

Mugabe will do everything to survive, don’t give him the chance!

Children facing death

Thousands of children in cyclone-hit Burma will starve to death within weeks unless food reaches them soon, UK charity Save the Children has warned.

The charity said 30,000 under-fives in the Irrawaddy Delta were malnourished before Cyclone Nargis hit on 2 May. It says energy-rich food now needs to reach them "before it is too late".

The warning comes as a UN envoy is due in Burma to join international efforts to try to persuade the ruling junta to grant more access to relief workers. Humanitarian envoy John Holmes will carry a letter from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to Burma's leader, Than Shwe, who has refused to answer Mr. Ban's calls.

Perhaps it is time for Mr. Ban to stop …calling and act, even though that will come as a surprise to what he has done till now!!!

Burma death toll 78,000

The official death toll for Burma's cyclone disaster has jumped to almost 78,000 people, with nearly 56,000 missing, according to state TV.

Previously, Burma was giving a toll of 43,000 dead and 28,000 missing while the Red Cross and United Nations had estimated a death toll above 100,000. Aid agencies are frustrated at the slow progress of aid to areas worst hit. Cyclone Nargis battered southern regions of Burma, including the Irrawaddy Delta, on 2-3 May.

The dictators of Burma must go soon, the longer they stay the higher the dearth roll will be!

Pakistan’s government …is pulling out!

One of the main parties in Pakistan has announced it is pulling out of the government, just three months after landmark general elections.

Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif says his PML-N is quitting because of differences over the reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf. Mr. Sharif wants the judges, who became a focus of opposition to Mr. Musharraf, to get all their old powers back. But the biggest party, the PPP, wants limitations on their powers.

Musharraf’s democratic face didn’t really work and the dictator is again facing Pakistan’s reality!