Here is the Sunday, September 21st, 2008 edition of what’s making news and interesting reads from around the world. Also please note that off to the left there are two widgets with updates on news from Asia and the world in a separate page: Around Asia & Around the World New Feeds.
Rebels in Nigeria’s Delta Region Strike an Oil Pipeline
Militants in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria said Saturday that they had hit another oil pipeline, continuing a streak of attacks that have badly damaged the country’s largest oil producer, Royal Dutch Shell. More on this story from the New York Times.
Polls in Britain Point a Tory Rout of Labour
Gordon Brown is set to lead Labour into an election bloodbath so crushing it could take his party a decade to recover, according to the largest ever poll of marginal seats which predicts a landslide victory for David Cameron. Eight cabinet ministers, including the Home Secretary and the Justice Secretary, would be swept away in the rout as the Tories marched into Downing Street with a majority of 146, says the poll, conducted for PoliticsHome.com and exclusively revealed to The Observer. Seats that have been Labour since the First World War would fall. The story in the UK Guardian. Meanwhile, the embattled British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has launched what he hopes will be his comeback, as the Labour Party met in Manchester for its annual conference. Battered in the polls and bruised by in-party fighting, Brown is fighting for his political life. This story from Euro News.
Swaziland Holds Parliamentary Elections
Swaziland held its parliamentary elections today whilst yesterday police arrested a number of union leaders for planning a border blockade ahead of polls. More from Afrol News.
Anwar Ibrahim Presses for No Confidence Vote in Malaysia
Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is demanding that Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s administration subject itself to a confidence vote in parliament by Tuesday, claiming he has enough reformist lawmakers to topple the government. Abdullah has dismissed the challenge, and a major crackdown could follow. The story from the Asia Times.
Japanese Candidates for Premiership Make Final Pitch
Front-runner Taro Aso and his rivals in the race to be Japan’s prime minister made final appeals Sunday, one day before the ruling party picks a new leader it hopes can revive its fading fortunes. More from Agence France-Presse.
Al Qaeda Likely Behind Pakistani Hotel Bombing
The bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, which has left up to 60 people confirmed dead and hundreds injured, is likely to have been carried out or supported by Al Qaeda, according to a US intelligence official. More from Euro News.
The Battle for the North Pole
Climate change is freeing the Arctic of ice — and spurring a global competition for the natural resources stored beneath. Countries that border the sea are staking new territorial claims and oil giants are dispatching geologists. But what will the tug-of-war mean for the indigenous people and wildlife? Der Spiegel looks at the unfolding polar race.