Philippines- The government of the Philippines is confronting issues pertaining to a rice shortage throughout the country. On Tuesday, March 25, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially ordered the country to deal with “rice hoarders.” “Rice hoarders” purchase rice but withhold it from the public until they can receive higher prices for it. The price of rice has increased greatly over the past months, and the president is worried for the country’s poor.
Miami- On Tuesday, March 25, a section of a crane fell from the construction of a 46-story high-rise into another building. Two construction workers were killed, and five workers were injured when the equipment fell through a house being used by the contractors as an office. The section of the crane weighed seven tons and fell a total of 30 stories. The cause of the accident remains unclear, and there is uncertainty as to whether the crane was inspected.
Cairo, Egypt- Ibrahim Eissa, the news editor of a tabloid publication in Egypt, was sentenced to six months in prison for printing false information about the health of Egypt’s 79-year-old president Hosni Mubarak. The judge said that the news affected the economy because citizens withdrew investments, believing the president was in serious condition. Amnesty International has tried to defend Eissa and to encourage media freedom.
San Juan, Puerto Rico- Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila is facing corruption charges. He was accused of being involved in a campaign finance scheme, and he is pleading not guilty. Vila is part of the Popular Democratic Party, and on Thursday, March 27, he said that he will not resign from his position unless the party becomes threatened by the case. The Popular Democratic Party in Puerto Rico opposes the idea of becoming the 51st state of the U.S., and he has suggested the U.S. may have been involved in these accusations.
Sources: www.cnn.com, www.nytimes.com, www.philly.com