Iraq is gearing up for its forthcoming parliamentary elections on Sunday. It is a test of the nation’s strength and unity as the US forces in the country are withdrawing day by day abiding Obama’s “No War” policy. Iraqis must overcome long-prevalent sectarianism and religious and ethnic divides and come together to set up a new democratic government for them. The new 325-seat legislature formed by ballot voting is considered as a major step forward for the blood-stained country. A number of political parties and rival factions have been formed since the 2005 US-dominated elections that spurred an insurgence of violence in the nation. The current government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will continue to wield power till the new legislature has been completely formed. The latest news update is that some of the current ministers are concerned about losing their jobs. Observers predict that it will be tough to form a stable government because there are a plethora of parties. None of them stand to get a sweeping majority because Iraqi politics has always been fragmented by ethnic and religious sectarianism. Any party that wins the most votes will need the aid and support of others in the form of a coalition. The oldest statesman of Iraqi politics, Adnan Pachachi, also running for the elections says “Sectarianism is cause for concern because there would be a kind of vacuum. It is in everyone’s interest to form a government very soon.” The political campaigning the last few months has been active with rallies, party meetings, posters and TV ads. More than 6200 candidates are contesting the elections. The general say is that the Sunnis, Shiites and the Kurds have to come together to form the new Government. The Iraqiya List, led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is a general favorite for all Iraqis because of the party’s secular policy. Although the Kurds cannot form a majority owing to fewer numbers, they will have a major say in deciding the ruling party. Although the US troops will oversee the elections and provide surveillance, the Pentagon will not have any say in it. The US has lost around 4300 of its troops in the past seven years and soldiers are preparing to leave the country. Meanwhile, updated news is that rebellious Anti-American cleric in hiding, Muqtada al-Sadr made a surprise appearance from Iran and urged his countrymen to stay united and vote for ‘faithful’ Iraqis.

Two passengers were killed and 14 others suffered minor injuries when monstrous waves struck a cruise liner off the North East coast of Spain. The liner Louis Majesty belonged to a Greek cruise enterprise Louis cruise Lines. The ship had 1350 passengers and 580 crew members in all. It was flying under the Maltese flag from Barcelona, Spain to Genoa, Italy. It became a victim to waves 33 feet ( 9 metres) high which are very common in the Mediterranean. The spokesman  for the cruise lines Michael Maratheftis said that the gigantic waves were caused by winds blowing at 45 mph. The waves hit the ship with such force that shards of glass and furniture hit the passengers, killing two people and injuring a few. The two victims were both male. One was a German and the other was an Italian. The 14 injured included a 62-year old lady who has fractures in both the legs. The unfortunate incident occurred 24 miles off the Cabo de San Sebastian coast near the Spanish town of palafrugell. Although such waves are not uncommon in the Mediterranean, they occur only about once or twice a year. The Louis Majesty had passengers from 27 nations. Maratheftis said that they are doing their best to assure shaken passengers. All of them are being flown home at the expense of Louis Cruise lines. The injured are being treated in a hospital in Barcelona. The ship has returned to Barcelona and will remain in Barcelona for further repairs. The latest updated news is that Louis cruise Lines have cancelled all cruises at present. The Majesty will resume cruise on the 14^th of March.

After Saturday’s massive earthquake that measured 8.8 on the Richter scale, Chile suffered another tragedy as most of the coastal areas were hit by Tsunami. The quake had 723 victims, the worst-hit part being the wine-growing areas of Maule. After the quake, came the onslaught of the ocean. Although Maritime radios and the Navy issued sufficient warnings and alerted most of the coastal areas, the waves lashed some areas too soon. The three giant waves were 6 feet high and have left at least a 100000 people homeless. Around fifty of them are reported dead and an equal number missing. Rescue operations are still underway to evacuate quake victims from beneath the rubble. The city close to the epicenter of the quake, Concepcion, has lost several concrete buildings and apartments and firefighters are still rescuing survivors or pulling out bodies of victims. The cities are completely destroyed and the port has disappeared. Waters invaded the towns causing cars to pile up, some of them three or four high. An entire group of 40 retirees spending their holiday at a summer resort are reported missing. Timely warnings issued by port captains in coastal areas such as Pelluhue, managed to save thousands of lives.  The country’s copper industry was thankfully spared. Concha y Toro, Chile’s major winemaker and a big source of revenue, also has to halt production for at least a week. The country is seeking the support of the UNO. Several countries like the USA, Brazil and Argentina are providing temporary relief measures in the form of field hospitals, doctors, water-purification systems and fuel. In areas that are yet to get relief, there has been a lot of plundering of the local markets by looters and the poor who are in desperate need of food, water, gasoline and other essentials. In some areas, even law and order has gone hay-wire because of the double tragedy. Residents are forced to protect their homes day and night. Curfew has been imposed in some towns. World leaders extend their sympathy to the nation as it struggles to recover from the double disaster.

Villagers in rural parts of Southern India have come up with an alternate source of power to light up their homes – the sun. Thousands of homes in these areas are always devoid of good drinking water, transport facilities and minimal or even no electricity. But the one thing that they have in abundance is the sun. With the advent of solar energy, people living in these rural areas have realized the importance of harnessing solar power. Thanks to continuing efforts of organizations like SELCO, they have installed solar panels atop their roofs. These solar cells collect maximum energy from the sun during the day. The energy is stored in a battery. The charged batteries are later used during the night to power lights and fans and also in agriculture to power motors for irrigation. Solar energy has not only proved to be a boon for the villagers but also for young technicians and entrepreneurs alike. SELCO hires youth who are qualified technicians and electricians and they are responsible for installation of these solar panels in homes. Some have also found scope for business by selling solar batteries from door to door. Even street vendors rejoice as their business soars at night with the help of this new-found light that has replaced precious kerosene and fuel. Says Sarah Alexander from SELCO, “We would like to be called as an organization between an NGO and a Corporate. If we were asked to choose between installing a setup for an institution and doing the same for 300 homes, we would always go for the latter as that is our cause”. A few years ago, these villages had no electricity. Even now, they don’t have power lines from the Indian Government. However, Rural India now has light thanks to the Sun-God!

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey was severely injured in Saturday’s football game while playing against Stoke City. The entire sporting world was shocked by the ankle-wrecking tackle inflicted on the 19 year-old by Ryan Shawcross. Saying that Ramsey was injured would be an understatement. His ankle was dangling in a horrendous way. Shawcross was given a red card and a 3 match ban and was seen leaving the field in tears after watching the damage that he had caused. Ramsay’s team mates as well as his opponents were shocked by the injury.  Captain Cesc Fabregas and Sol Campbell turned away, unable to watch their mate’s agony. It was déjà vu for the gunners as the injury brought back memories of Diaby and Eduardo, 2 Arsenal players wrecked in their prime. However the gunners battled through adversity this time. The injury happened when the scores were level at 1-1. Although they took a long time to regain composure after Ramsey was stretchered off, they were back in the game thanks to captain Cesc who was later named Man of the Match. Stoke struggled after Shawcross’ departure. On a ground that has always proved unlucky to them, the gunners fought their way to pull off a spectacular 3-1 win over Stoke City. The team pulled together to show great character and resilience. Arsenal’s manager Wenger was not jubilant. His verdict was “On a mathematical point of view, it was a good day. But it is hard to enjoy the win.” Ramsey will be out of the game for a long term and this saddens his manager, team and his fans as the 19 year old was “fantastic talent” to quote Wenger. Neutrals and Stoke fans say that Shawcross’ tackle was unintentional. The centre-back was defended by his manager and that he was genuinely broken-hearted by what happened. However, many feel that an upcoming talent was crushed by an unfair and over-physical challenge. A shocking moment for the football world, nonetheless Ramsay’s injury has galvanized Arsenal and its fans who are praying for him and have strengthened their cause to fight on.