And the empty podium goes to.....?

Nigerian Presidential Candidates(left to right) Ibrahim Shekarau, Nuhu Ribadu, and Muhammadu Buhari courtesy BBC

In what I can only call the most embarassing event to hit the Nigerian 2011 Presidential campaign, it has been rumored by BBC journalist Caroline Duffield, that current President Goodluck Jonathan has pulled out of debates due to fear of public speaking. Really though?
Okay the lowdown:
Goodluck Jonathan who replaced Umar Yar Adua after his untimely death last year is currently running for President in Africa's #1 oil exporter (yes if you were sleeping Nigeria has dethroned Libya for about a month now). According to BBC President Jonathan would only participate in debates sponsored by the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) and refused to take place in the debate last Tuesday which was organized by NN24. His political opponents say they are "suspicious" of BON and it's relationship with President Jonathan and have gone to extreme measures to accomodate him in the debate which, from what you can see by the empty podium to the left, President Jonathan did not attend.
In a statement, Duffield expressed her opinion stating that President Jonathan is a poor public speaker and that "it is clear that his advisors want to shield him from the media as much as possible."
(suppressing laughter) well geeeeesh!! Miss Duffield are we adding fuel to the fire? You know come to think of it I've never seen President Jonathan speak in public without a prompt...I'm not saying he's a poor public speaker I'm just saying...well this is embarassing. I guess we'll see what happens April 9th Nigeria this has me on the edge of my seat.

President Saleh announces transition of power.

Hooray for Yemen!

In an action that was thought to defy all odds, Saleh, the Yemeni President has decided to step down. However, is this a true transition or yet another insult from a corrupt government. Speaking to demonstrators, President Saleh said "...we are not going to hold to power for good but we will hand it to capable hands." He also asked of the youth to "form their own political party" so they can express their concerns through them instead of bending to traitors...really though? Does he mean to say he didn't recognize their efforts all along?? Oh, you know what? he is.
In any case, Congratulations to the Yemeni people. This further proves that no matter how long a struggle may last, the voice of the people will never be in vain. I am very proud fo what they accomplished, mainly because Saleh has been in power since 1978 when he came to power in a military coup (hmmm sound familiar (Mubarak anyone)? The MENA region is on fire and as everyone is still keeping a close eye on Ghadaffi, we should also remember Bahrain, Syria, and Jordan just to name a few. I have my popcorn, and you know I'm watching.

Old Habits die Hard. Boy is that true.

Hotel Employees in Japan run for Cover

TSUNAMI ROCKS JAPAN

A Tsunami hit Japan Friday and is reported to be the most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in 100 Years. Coverage above.

Happy Mardi Gras!!

You guys know how much I like showcasing themes around the world. Today is Mardi Gras. Traditionally, in Catholicism, Mardi Gras marks the day before Lent, a thirty day fasting period where Catholics can not have things like dairy products and must be devoted more to their religion. In recent years, however, Mardi Gras has taken on more of a commercial tone. Instead of pigging out on pastries, countries have begun to showcase carnivals, costumes, and (in some cases) public nudity (i know...random). In New Orleans, the color for Mardi Gras is Green, Gold, and Purple with the phrase "Laissez les bon temps roulez (let the good times roll in French" However, we all know that this festivity is not for New Orleans alone, but the WHOLE WORLD!! Above is a video of Mardi Gras festivities world wide that I have uploaded for your enjoyment. The pictures are courtesy of Guardian UK and Getty Images. Enjoy!

What about the refugees?

Democracy Crushed in Ivory Coast

Viewer discretion is advised.

Anderson Cooper debunks theory.

Keeping them honest. Oh Anderson definately does a good job of that. Here, he debunks the theory that the Libyan youth have been using hallucinogens. Courtesy CNN. Enjoy

They MUST be crazy!

Hello Readers, many of you may have noticed that the entire week I have probably been very silent. Well this is, because I thought there would really be some good news about Libya. I don't like repeating the same bad news about Gadaffi's behavior over and over again. Quite frankly, I don't think that you'd enjoy reading the same thing, since Foreign Affairs is ever changing...Well it's supposed to be anyway. Gaddaffi has not left power and as much as I'd like to leave the topic alone until something happens,I realize that it's unfair to myself as much as it is to you.
So on with the updates:
Gaddafi has blamed the behavior of Shabab Libya(Libyan youth) on pills which Gaddafi says made them hallucinate. Making an audio announcement on Libyan television Gaddafi said:
""Their ages are 17. They give them pills at night, they put hallucinatory pills in their drinks, their milk, their coffee, their Nescafe," said Gaddafi.

"They are criminals ... is it logical that you let this phenomenon continue in any city? ... We do not see what is happening in Egypt and Tunisia happening in Libya, ever!"

So Gaddafi's strategy is: "what people are going against me? Ohh no they MUST be crazy."
Really Gaddafi? Really?