Tuesday Morning News

• Kenya: So far 10,000 internally-displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their homes after fleeing post-election violence. More than 1,200 people died and 350,000 were displaced after a disputed election in December.
• Burma: The death toll from the cyclone that hit Burma on Saturday has hit 22,000, according to state media sources. Hundreds of thousands are cut off from fresh water and shelter. Yesterday, in a surprising move, First Lady Laura Bush addressed a press conference and condemned the military junta for their failure to warn the population about the approaching storm and for their “inept” response to the disaster. Mrs. Bush, who does not typically take public position on high-profile policy issues, has emerged as a leader of the campaign against the abusive military dictatorship. The devastation also led the government to postpone a constitutional referendum, intended to further consolidate the junta’s power, in the worst-hit parts of the country. The New York Times writes, “The postponement of the vote, a centerpiece of government policy, along with an appeal for foreign disaster relief assistance, were difficult concessions by an insular military junta that portrays itself as all-powerful and self-sufficient.”
• China/Tibet: Read about the plight of a woman trying to publicize the plight of Tibetans in the face of Chinese censorship.
• Zimbabwe: The MDC reports that 4 more of its supporters were killed by ZANU militants. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is set to hold talks with the African Union and the Southern Africa Development Community regarding an international role in Zimbabwe’s potential upcoming runoff election. The AU will also address the issue itself, after the newly-appointed chairman visited Zim and South Africa over the weekend. No date for the runoff has been set, though Mugabe and ZANU-PF already started their campaign.