Free Betancourt NOW!

A French plane and medical team have been put on standby in case the high-profile hostage Ingrid Betancourt, held by Colombian rebels, is released.
The French president’s office said it was a “precautionary” move and there was no information to suggest Ms Betancourt was about to be freed. The former Colombian presidential candidate and French-Colombian citizen [...]

Monitors warn on Zimbabwe ‘delay’

Election observers in Zimbabwe have expressed concerns over “delays” in announcing official presidential poll results, amid fears of rigging.
 
The head of one monitors’ group said he had “no doubt” officials now know most results. None have yet been released. Officials blamed the fact that four separate polls were held on one day.
The government and election [...]

Queen cancels diamond party because of the economic gloom

The Queen has cancelled a party to mark her diamond wedding anniversary because she felt it would be “inappropriate” to hold a lavish celebration with the country on the brink of recession.
 
Guests at the party, which was due to be held at The Ritz this weekend, would have been served champagne from crystal-studded bottles and [...]

Obama Says Clinton Should Keep Running

Barack Obama refused Saturday to go along with other Democrats who are calling for Hillary Rodham Clinton to step away from the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. “My attitude is Senator Clinton can run as long as she wants,” Obama said.
Obama told reporters he did not agree with one of his supporters, Vermont Sen. [...]

Clinton rejects call to quit race

US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has rejected calls by supporters of her rival, Barack Obama, to abandon her campaign for the Democratic nomination.
 
Senator Patrick Leahy, an influential Democrat and Obama supporter, had said that by remaining in the race she was helping the Republican Party. Mrs. Clinton told supporters she had no intention of abandoning [...]

Vote count in Zimbabwe

Vote counting is under way in Zimbabwe, with the main opposition MDC claiming it is winning the battle to oust President Robert Mugabe.
 
The MDC said it was ahead in most constituencies but continues to fear the vote will be rigged. Results may not be finalized for some days and the government warned the MDC not [...]

Don’t forget, summer time

Don’t forget, summer time at 3 AM Sunday morning when the clock is shifted one hour forward. The shift to summer time will bring some interruptions in banking services and affect rail travel.

The annual switch to summer, or daylight saving time is established practice within the European Union and takes place on the same day [...]

The Ovi magazine today

A King’s 60th Birthday by Tony Butcher
As Mervyn King blows out the candles on his 60th birthday cake today he’ll have a few moments to reflect on his life and how he has a powerful hand in deciding the direction of the British and Global Economy.
iBite by Thanos Kalamidas
iBite is a snappy selection of news [...]