What’s behind Christian-Muslim fighting in Nigeria?

The Nigerian Army was sent in Tuesday to stop violence that began Sunday, after Christians protested the construction of a mosque and after Muslim protesters attacked a Catholic church. Fighting is centered in the city of Jos – an acronym for “Jesus Our Savior.” Read more

‘Significant chance’ of second financial crisis

There is now more than a one-in-five chance of another asset price bubble implosion costing the world more than £1 trillion, and similar odds of a full-scale sovereign fiscal crisis, a key report warned. Read more

Democrats Never Had Sixty Votes

Democrats Never Had Sixty Votes; Sixty Votes Never Mattered

One year ago today, Barack Obama was inaugurated President – and the U.S. Senate had 58 Democrats. We didn’t have 60 votes, but nobody said that health care was doomed. Martha Coakley’s defeat in Massachusetts now means that Democrats have a 59-41 majority – or a net gain of one seat from last year. But judging by the media coverage, it Read more

Republicans take Ted Kennedy’s seat

Republicans scored an historic victory overnight that put President Barack Obama’s agenda in jeopardy exactly a year after he took power – and which could kill his plans for healthcare reform.

A little-known Republican state legislator won Edward Kennedy’s old seat in the US Senate Read more

From Bay State to Red State?

Can health care reform survive a Republican Senate win in Massachusetts?

Will there be joy in Beantown if Mighty Coakley strikes out? Or, having been born on third base (thanks to the Kennedy clan), will she be able to steal home?

We’re talking about Martha Coakley, the attorney general of Massachusetts and one-time shoo-in to inherit Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat and, most assumed, to seal the deal on Read more

Haitian dig out from earthquake

Jan. 16 (GVMonitor) — Tons of aid supplies are arriving in Haiti but workers are finding problems getting the materials to the people stricken by the earthquake.

The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Tuesday wrecked the Haitian capital’s infrastructure, further limiting humanitarian efforts to reach victims. Estimates are that as many as 70,000 people may have died and thousands of survivors are without food, water or medical help. Read more

Shot or Not, Dead or Alive? Two Men’s Fate Lost in Chaos

A motionless body lay on the pavement. Perhaps 20 riled-up police officers milled around. On the shoulder of the road, an RTA bus was parked at a crazy angle, like a dislocated elbow. Nearby was a long white limousine, crashed into a pole.

What had we stumbled upon?

Then there were guns aimed at us, and my face was pushed against a wall. I heard lots of shouting and cursing. Read more