Free Republic

The three-day Zimbabwean strike that ended on Friday shifted the balance of power in local politics and set alarm bells ringing for President Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary-general Wellington Chibhebhe said that his organisation's stayaway in protest against massive fuel price increases illustrated a surging tide of popular anger about the country's political and economic crisis. The stayaway call was widely heeded, with the union congress claiming that 90% of the country's 600 000 labour force stayed at home. Most shops in Harare's central business district closed, although some small businesses remained open. Chibhebhe said the strike...

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Aquarion Water Co. closed public access to the Putnam Dam in Greenwich Thursday, citing concerns about terrorism and the war in Iraq. No trespassing signs were posted around the dam, and a gate was installed near the spillway to block access by walkers. "In light of Aquarion's heightened alert status and our commitment to do everything we can to protect our public drinking water supplies, Putnam area residents, visitors and all pets are restricted from the Putnam Dam area," said David Medd, operations manager. "Visitors will be subject to arrest." ... Aquarion is one of the 10...

Zimbabwe's main opposition party has enlisted the help of an international public-affairs consultancy firm for a campaign aimed at forcing the government of President Robert Mugabe to restore democracy by calling for fresh presidential elections this year. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), lead by Morgan Tsvangirai, who is currently facing treason charges, has employed public-relations giant Chelgate, headquartered in London and with associated offices in Europe and North America, to manage the "Save Zimbabwe" campaign. The campaign--which will include letter writing, media publicity work, and lobbying of Zimbabwe's main trading partners in Africa and around the world--aims to send...

CT Resources Recovery Authority Feeling Heat Again Giveaway Of Trucks Slammed By Unions March 26, 2002 By JON LENDER, Courant Staff Writer The state's trash authority, already under fire for losing $220 million in a failed deal with Enron Corp., has a new issue to grapple with: Last year, the authority gave about 20 tractor-trailers - at no charge - to a private company controlled by the Plainville-area Manafort family.Members of the Manafort family and employees of its businesses have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Gov. John G. Rowland's campaigns this year and in the past, and officials...