Issue 13 sees Ben Norman, Student Activities and Development Officer give us a roundup of the latest politics news.

Fears of Violence in Zimbabwe

Morgan Tsvangirai, the candidate from the Zimbabwean Democratic Movement for Change, has called for the President of South Africa to stand down from his role of election observer after weeks of growing tensions as the electoral commission fails to reveal the result of the Presidential election.

Tsvangirai’s comments come amid fears that Mugabe Loyalists in the police and military are beginning to crack down on the opposition movement, fears compounded by a Chinese shipment of arms which has docked in South Africa enroute to Zimbabwe.

Teachers Vote for Strike Action

On May 24th teachers across the country will down their marking pens and pick up placards, as the NUT voted for nationwide strike action over pay.

The strike has been called to stand against government plans to increase teachers pay under the rate of inflation, which would result in a pay cut. Hundreds of student teachers are expected to join picket lines across the country, including Portsmouth.

Carter Visits Hamas

Ex-President Jimmy Carter has begun his tour of the Middle East, a tour on which he aims to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On Thursday Carter met with member of the Hamas leadership in Cairo and on Friday he met with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Syria.

Hamas are regarded a “terrorist” group by Israel, the United States and the European Union despite being democratically elected by the Palestinian people in 2006.

Carter’s visit coincides with recent Israeli raids into the Gaza strip, leaving hundreds dead or wounded, including Reuters Camera man Fadl Shanaa who was killed on the 16th April by Israel tank fire.