In his annual New Year’s Message, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a fiery though tempered speech. Cognizant that dark days do indeed lie ahead, the Prime Minister was also quick to assign the blame. Brown noted the “The failure of previous governments in previous global downturns was to succumb to political expediency and to cut back investment across the board, thereby stunting our ability to grow and strangling hope during the upturn. This will not happen on my watch.” He added that 2008 would be remembered as the year in which “the old era of unbridled free market dogma was finally ushered out”. Let’s hope so but let’s also realize that the conservative ideology of unfettered free markets, limited government and low taxes is far from defeated. The fight goes on.
Gordon Brown today braces Britain for potentially its worst recession since the second world war by promising to work with Barack Obama to create a new progressive era across the world. He claims he can build “a global coalition for change” with the US president-elect.
The prime minister said 2008 would be remembered as the year in which “the old era of unbridled free market dogma was finally ushered out”. In his traditional new year message, Brown struck a tone of tempered optimism, saying that Britain can this year build a better tomorrow through strategic investments while dealing with the dangerous challenges of today.
Hoping for a “new progressive era across the world,” Mr Brown sees “purposeful and energetic governments giving real help to families and businesses when they need it the most; and through expanding through the downturn vital investments in our future.”
As the year draws to a close, so too might Caroline Kennedy’s chances to be selected as Senator Hillary Clinton’s replacement in the US Senate. Instead, it seems that Governor David Paterson may opt for a “caretaker” to hold the seat until a special election can be held in November 2010. From WCBS-TV News:
The former president is among several boldface names being touted as possible “caretakers” for New York’s Senate seat — people who would serve until the 2010 elections but wouldn’t be interested in running to keep the job.
As the process of picking Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s replacement gets messier, the option may become increasingly attractive to Gov. David Paterson, who has sole authority to name a successor.
A big name like Bill Clinton or Democratic former Gov. Mario Cuomo could have an immediate impact for New York in the Senate while letting the large field of hopefuls duke it out in 2010, according to three Democratic Party advisers in New York and Washington who are close to the discussion with Paterson’s inner circle on this issue.
Two others in the party confirmed that Paterson is still considering the caretaker option. The advisers spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to comment.
The Awami League, led by former prime minister Sheik Hasina, has gained a clear majority of the parliamentary seats in Bangladesh’s election. International observers are preliminarily deeming the election fair, which came after a two-year period of emergency rule by an army-backed caretaker government. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman in Dhaka explains there are high hopes in the poverty-wracked country of 150 million people that the election ends an era of autocratic, corrupt and violent politics.
Here are some Bangladeshi blogs worth checking out:
Nearly 400 people are reported dead on the fifth day of Israeli air strikes in Gaza. While Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert refuses to bow to international pressure for a cease-fire, much of the Arab world has sharply criticized Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and anyone else cooperating with Israel.
Worldfocus talks with Marymount Manhattan College professor and Palestinian-American Ghassan Shabaneh about the failing popularity of American allies in the Middle East.
Israel rejected a ceasefire today and continues its strike against Hamas. For more on the Israeli view of the conflict, Worldfocus talks with Benjamin Krasna, Israel’s Deputy Consul General in New York. Krasna answers questions about civilian welfare in Gaza and the potential for a ground invasion.
Mahmoud Abbas, the al-Fatah leader and President of the Palestinian people, addressed the Palestinian people in a TV broadcast speech. He called for national unity as the march towards independence “must continue”. He condemned the Israeli bombardment of Gaza as a “barbaric and criminal aggression”, and urged the international community to take action against the strikes.
There are now laws all over the world — from China to Bangladesh to Ireland — banning, restricting or taxing plastic shopping bags. In the United States, San Francisco, California, in March became the first American city to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags. Paige Kollock has this report from the environmentally conscious city on the effects of the city ban on plastic bags.
I carry a canvas bag in my messenger bag all the time. It isn’t a hassle. From the perspective of this San Franciscan, I remain wholeheartedly behind this initiative.