Ben de Pear

Guinea: a promise to end the plunder of a country

blogs.channel4.com — Guinea: a promise to end the plunder of a country The Republic of Guinea is a country of extremes. The poverty, to which half the population has been condemned, is extreme. The violent thunderstorms in which bolts of water drill relentlessly downwards from black clouds are extreme.

Mullah Omar statement ignites hopes for Taliban negotiations

channel4.com — For the first time, Mullah Omar has not flatly rejected any hope of negotiations with Nato whilst western troops remain in Afghanistan. Mullah Omar's Eid statements are the reclusive Taliban leader's only direct message to the world and are thus closely read for any indications of what direction the insurgency might be taking.

UK ‘spied’ on SA officials

iol.co.za — Related Stories Johannesburg - Claims that the British government had spied on South African officials and diplomats attending a G20 summit are of "great concern" and the government has called for a probe into the allegations. Clayson Monyela, spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, said on Monday the government had "noted with concern" the UK Guardian newspaper reports.

ReutersWorld: Putin, Obama disagree over ...

twitter.com — Putin, Obama disagree over Syria at tense G8 summit meeting http://reut.rs/19cQrBn pic.twitter.com/kVgL3wl9cZ