Top story: Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai announced that his Movement for Democratic Change will boycott Zimbabwe's unity government over the jailing of one of his top allies. Tsvangirai has been working in an unstable coalition government with President Robert Mugabe since February.
Tsvangirai says the MDC is "not really pulling out officially," but would not attend cabinet meetings or collaborate on any work with Mugabe's Zanu-PF. "We don't have a problem with that," remarked a Zanu-PF spokesman.
Tsvangirai is protesting terrorism charges against his political ally Roy Bennett, who was released on bail seven months ago but then ordered back to jail this week, the day he was sworn in as deputy agriculture minister. "Roy Bennett is not being prosecuted, he is being persecuted," Tsvangirai said Friday. The United States and European Union have both condemned Bennett's arrest as politically motivated.
"Until confidence has been restored we can't continue to pretend that everything is well," Tsvangirai said.
Aid: Bill Gates says his foundation will shift its focus from health issues to agriculture and malnutrition.
Asia
- Afghanistan's U.S. ambassador said that his government is preparing for a runoff election.
- Maoist rebels in the Philippines have declared a truce in the wake of devastating typhoon.
- Another bomb targeting a police station was detonated in Pakistan, this time in Peshawar.
Middle East
- The U.N. Human Rights Council voted to refer the Goldstone report on Gaza war crimes to the Security Council.
- A suicide attack killed 8 and wounded 30 at a mosque is Iraq's restive Nineveh province.
- Iraqi parliamentary elections could be delayed after parliament missed a deadline to pass an election law.
Africa
- A hardline faction of Nigeria's MEND rebels says it is ending a three-month ceasefire.
- Botswana's ruling party -- which has been in power for over four decades -- appears set to win today's election.
- Madagascar's political factions have agreed to meet in Geneva to form a new power-sharing government.
Europe
- Anti-Islamic Dutch politician Geert Wilders has been allowed to enter Britain.
- French farmers shut down Paris' Champs Elysees to demand government aid.
- Former Czech President Vaclav Havel attacked his successor Vaclav Klaus for refusing to sign the Lisbon treaty.
Americas
- A negotiator for ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya said a deal to resolve the country's political crisis appeared closer.
- Tens of thousands marched in Mexico City to protest the closure of a state electric company.
- A drought is causing widespread malnutrition in Guatemala.
DESMOND KWANDE/AFP/Getty Images
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