Two weeks of news

2.28.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Sep 2006

Sudan flag

Am slowly waking up after Liberal Democrat Conference, one of the worst things about Conference is its easy to miss what is going on in the 'real' world. Lots have happened in the last couple of weeks, I will try and comment on some of it below, in a light-hearted way, its all in an odd order as this week has been very odd for me too:

The biggest story is that the Pope has insulted Islam and many Muslims by quoted at 14th century text. I cannot believe that this was accidental, and am fairly sure many people would have checked his speech before he made it. Not sure I am surprised at his speech - he is far from the most tolerant of Popes. Since then, and on a different subject, the Pope has ex-communicated Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo for ordaining four married bishops.

Thailand has had a coup - Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester was there at the time, but I am told he was not involved! More seriously the new regieme have already been accused of human rights abuses, very worrying indeed.

A Hurricane hit the Azores rather appropriately it was names Hurricane Gordon. Yet another example of climate change, bad weather followed in the UK - although that could have just been normal weather.

The Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany admitting to lying to the public about, well, everything. No wonder politicians get a bad name!

A report has been published in the USA saying the war in Iraq has led to more radicalisation of Muslims. Well what a surprise.

And the situation Dafur gets even worse and the UN and the 'West' look on - I was particularly angered when Blair mentioned the tragedy in his speech - Tony you have the power to do something - why not do something rather than just talk about it!

If I can be serious for a moment. The situation in Dafur is dire at least 200,000 people have been killed and a further 2 million displaced, even the UN has described it as one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters. The previous peace agreement was not signed by JEM, the largest faction of the SLM/A and other rebel groups. Any future peace agreement must be signed by all parties and all groups involved in any discussions. Security Council Resolution 1706 allows for UN forces to be deployed - this must happen and it must happen now, China must be brought to book for supplying arms and sanctions must be put in place.