World+Events

By: K.Mulvihill America's economy seems to be the number one dinner table conversation, but what about the worlds economy. America isn't the only county suffering from the markets plummeting. The financial crisis is global, not just national. On Wednesday, October 8th six central banks around the world including the bank of England, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, the European Central Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve all cut interest rates by half a point in an effort to steady the global economy. China also cut their interest rate by .27% of a point.
 * __Economic Crisis: Not Just In America, But Around The World__**

While the United States Government has passed a $7 billion bail-out plan, other countries around the world have been forced to consider the same alternative. The UK government announced an $88 billion package in order to help eight of their largest banks and building societies. Another $200 billion will be provided by the Bank of England to ease the tension on the banking system and a special company will be set up to provide up to $250 billion in loans for banks and building societies. Germany's government has made attempts to create a bail-out plan, but has not gained the support needed. Other countries including Iceland, Belgium, and Russia have also began considering bail-out plans and putting them into effect.

By: K. Mulvihill The Democratic Republic of congo gained their indepenence from Belgium in 1960 and since then, the country has been in constant turmoil. In 1994, hundreds and thousands of citizens were killed during the Ruwandan Genocide. This conflict was between the Tutsi's and the Hutu's which are two different tribes who occupy the area. In 1998, the DR Congo went to war with Ruwanda, Uganda, and six other nations. Around 1,200 people die each day because of conflicts and more then half of these casualties are children. Many have suffered abuse, rape, and have been forced into sexual slavery which has contributed to the advancment of HIV and AIDS. War has disrupted farming, trade, and has caused a lack of adequate food, clean water, health care, and education.
 * __A Truce Is Called In the Democatric Republic of Congo__**

While the Hutu's and Tutsi's continue to fight, thousands have been fleeing to the city of Goma to escape the increase in fighting near the east. Finally there may be hope for the citizens of DR Congo. General Laurent Nkunda, the DR Congo rebel leader, has called for a truce and has urged the government to ceasefire. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been urging a truce beween the Ruwandan Hutu rebels and the Tutsi's in order to avoid a repeat of the 1994 genocide.