Pray for Christians in Zimbabwe - as well as others!

[Paul Whitaker]

Originally published 01:23 p.m., July 30, 2008, updated 01:14 p.m., July 30, 2008
Zimbabwe devalues currency; 10B becomes 1 dollar
ANGUS SHAW ASSOCIATED PRESS

HARARE, ZIMBABWE (AP) - Zimbabwe will drop 10 zeros from its hyper-inflated currency _ turning 10 billion dollars into one _ the country's reserve bank said Wednesday. President Robert Mugabe threatened a state of emergency if businesses profiteer from the country's economic and political unraveling.

Shop shelves are empty and there are chronic shortages of everything including medication, food, fuel, power and water. Eighty percent of the work force is unemployed and many who do have jobs don't earn enough to pay for bus fare.

One third of Zimbabweans have become economic and political refugees. Another third is dependent on foreign food aid. But Mugabe barred non-governmental organizations from handing out food last month, claiming they were supporting the opposition.

On Wednesday, central bank governor Gideon Gono announced he was dropping 10 zeros from the currency, effective Friday. That comes a week after he introduced a 100 billion-dollar note which was not enough to buy a loaf of bread.

More at:

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/30/zimbabwe-devalues-currency-10b-becomes-1-dollar/

[Susan Unger]

Originally published 01:23 p.m., July 30, 2008, updated 01:14 p.m., July 30, 2008
Zimbabwe devalues currency; 10B becomes 1 dollar
ANGUS SHAW ASSOCIATED PRESS

HARARE, ZIMBABWE (AP) - Zimbabwe will drop 10 zeros from its hyper-inflated currency _ turning 10 billion dollars into one _ the country's reserve bank said Wednesday. President Robert Mugabe threatened a state of emergency if businesses profiteer from the country's economic and political unraveling.

Shop shelves are empty and there are chronic shortages of everything including medication, food, fuel, power and water. Eighty percent of the work force is unemployed and many who do have jobs don't earn enough to pay for bus fare.

One third of Zimbabweans have become economic and political refugees. Another third is dependent on foreign food aid. But Mugabe barred non-governmental organizations from handing out food last month, claiming they were supporting the opposition.

On Wednesday, central bank governor Gideon Gono announced he was dropping 10 zeros from the currency, effective Friday. That comes a week after he introduced a 100 billion-dollar note which was not enough to buy a loaf of bread.

More at:

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/30/zimbabwe-devalues-currency-10b-becomes-1-dollar/

I know someone who grew up in Zimbabwe and has sent me regular reports of the atrocities there. What has amazed me is that it is so little reported in our new. I have to hunt for web articles on the situation there. My friend's heart is broken over what has happened in her county. And because her heart is broken, mine is a bit broken as well.