Around the World for 03/29/08

Treasury Dept. Plan Would Give Fed Wide New Power - The Treasury Department will propose on Monday that Congress give the Federal Reserve broad new authority to oversee financial market stability, in effect allowing it to send SWAT teams into any corner of the industry or any institution that might pose a risk to the overall system.

Zimbabwean voters elect president - People in Zimbabwe are voting in an election that will decide whether President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, wins a sixth term in office. Queues formed early at many polling stations, with voters determined to cast their ballots. The MDC fears the poll will be rigged but Mr Mugabe said as he cast his vote in Harare: "We don't rig elections."

First cities go dark for Earth Hour - Sydney's iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge went dark Saturday night as the world's first major city turned off its lights for this year's Earth Hour, a global campaign to raise awareness of climate change. This year, 26 major world cities and more than 300 other cities and towns have signed up for the event.

First, Self-Control. Then, Debt Control - If you have gotten in over your head in credit card debt, you are in good company. The Federal Reserve says Americans have accumulated nearly $1 trillion, a record amount, in what it calls “revolving credit.” But while the financial experts are urging people to pay down debt — particularly expensive credit card debt — that is easier said than done.

Bible course sparks wrangle - More disagreement surfaced Friday over the public school Bible course Texas lawmakers approved last year. The latest issue hinges on whether the state must adopt specific curriculum standards for the course, an elective that's supposed to start in the 2009-10 school year.