I thought I'd just mention the flooding in Queensland, Australia. Though the death toll, thankfully, is very small, hundreds of thousands have been forced out of their homes and away from everything they know, and can be said to have lost their "lives" another way.
The flood covers an area "larger than France and Germany combined," and is expected to last for weeks longer. Even when the waters recede, it will take countless months longer for life in the 20 towns hit to go back to normal. The response organised by the state government and the Australian Red Cross has so far been effective in organising evacuations and supplying essentials.
Further reading: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12107131
In other news, the leading politicians of Africa are trying to reduce the number of power-hungry discriminatory types among their midst.
The president of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbadgo, is trying to cling to power despite losing the last election. He justifies this by saying that the election was rigged against him by the New Forces, a group that rose in support of the oppressed Ivorians living in the north of the country (Gbadgo referred to this particular demographic as not being true Ivorians, and many controversial decisions were subsequently made). It's not an entirely illegitimate argument, as the Forces initially tried to remove him with, well, force.
But the African Union and wider international community have riled against Gbadgo, embracing his more northerner-friendly opponent, Alassane Ouattarra. So far tactics have been strictly diplomatic, but France (which has economic and military presence in the country) and the Economic Community Of West African States are preparing for military intervention.
What do you think? Which is the lesser of two sins- invading the Ivory Coast, or let the Coast in question potentially suffer under a very flawed leader (if not actually a dictator)? Personally, I think it's a good idea to get rid of Gbadgo before he causes too much damage, though military action should obviously be a last resort.
The latest news on the so called Ivorian election crisis: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12106533
So, that's some of the international news of the day. Happy Bank Holiday Monday!
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