This month's round up from LadyRoisin, Internet Journalist
Communications, Health, Environment
"If Enough is Enough, More is Not Better'"
www.invincibleradio.com, Monday's 9-11pm BST.
19th April 2008
US Says OPEC Will Earn Almost $1 Trillion From Oil
Just shows you what you can get for selling oil. Remember, the US alone paid up to $400 billion for imported oil in 2007, which is why they are in debt to China.
African Nations Should Nationalise Oil – Venezuela
Well, if OPEC can generate £1 Trillion, and Venezuela can afford to give its people healthcare and education, shouldn’t African countries follow suit – beats paying the Chinese.
China Drought Leaves 670,000 Without Drinking Water
We knew there might be water shortages, but on this scale it is likely many thousands of people could die in China alone. What we need to think about is our use of water in this country – I know you may feel it won’t make any difference, but I can assure you it will. Having a wash in the handbasin is just as viable as showering and bathing – though don’t miss out completely. Showers and baths are a luxury – and unknown to many – as is clean drinkable water on tap.
Middle East water crisis warning
Not Just China suffering from water shortages. With water availability about to be cut by half, due to climate changes and populations growth, the Middle East and African Governments need to put new measures in places to protect supplies.
Rice prices 'to keep on rising'
A shortage of water also means a shortage of Rice. With three major Rice exporting countries now not selling, the pressure is on the price of rice which will push up our food basket costs. Wheat has risen by almost a third in the last year, now it is the turn for Rice. It is not just eaten as a grain, but can be an ingredient in cakes and biscuit making too.
Bonded to the Sari loom
If you thought the demands of keeping the climate stable were annoying, how would you feel working at a loom, or as a domestic servant, or animal herder, for food only, no wages and perhaps one day off a month. These are some stories of young people in bonded work, a form of slavery, in many countries and in different parts of the world.
Slavery in Sudan
Children stolen from South Sudan are held as slave workers by the northern militia. None have any rights, some are used for sex, none can return home until their masters have been repaid. Another form of Slavery – mostly young people and many girls. Who is fighting for their freedom?
Haiti's hidden 'child slaves'
Sold by the family, these youngsters work all hours for their masters, and still no sight of freedom. Their families receive money for their services -but they have nothing and without education, no future.
Desperate plight of Nepal 'slave girls'
In Nepal, girls are farmed out for their labour – at least 20,000 working as ‘indentured’ domestic servants. But they have no rights and cannot fight for their freedom. Campaigners are working to change the culture so that this practice is outlawed.
Nepal's Maoists extend poll lead
It seems that there is a change in the air in Nepal. Once considered a Religious and holy place, the Communist-inspired Maoists have been voted into power. Perhaps they will see that the ‘slave’ trade for servants is abolished.
Plan for Darfur peace talks in UK
Gordon Brown is proposing Peace Talks in London over the Darfur crisis. It has been five years since this situation started, fuelled by Arab North, and China oil money. There are thousands of children who have grown up in plastic tents in the African heat. Threatened by rape or lack of water the women have waited for the world to make a proper response. And are still waiting or massive action on the ground.
Fighting for free speech in Turkey
Following the death of an outspoken poet in Turkey, we must not forget that fighting for freedom also includes fighting for free speech. Just as China has been under scrutiny for its Human Rights policies, so Turkey must improve its citizen’s freedoms, as a condition to becoming a member of the EU.
Beijing air concern
Air quality in Beijing for the Olympics has been under question for many athletes. Now the Chinese organisers say they will be monitoring air quality and will make changes to the schedule if necessary. It is just as much our fault that air quality is so bad. Climate change and the cheap Chinese trinkets we buy in our countries are just as much to blame.
Samsung and Toshiba new leaders in greener electronics ranking
As I commented above, it is not just the Chinese fault for their climate conditions. All those computers you have had and thrown away or swapped over the years have to end up somewhere – so lets make them recyclable and clean from the beginning – Checkout your favourite gadget-maker’s score here !!
FDA clears new vaccine
A new Vaccine to prevent diarrhoea in infants – it has been tested on 23,000 children, but now it will be available in the US. We know that diarrhoea is a common complaint with youngsters, but it can easily be stopped with a day on yoghurt and bananas or a mixture of sugar, salt and clean water. Watch the roll out through the developing world soon and watch GlaxoSmithKline profits rise. Diarrhoea kills an estimated 1.8 million people – mostly from dirty water due to lack of drains and plumbing.
Medicine mix-ups, accidental overdoses and bad drug reactions harm roughly one out of 15 hospitalized children
Bearing in mind that Vaccines are still linked to Autism, that children’s immune systems are very different to adults and that this report shows light on prescription failures, wouldn’t you prefer to try a herbal, traditional remedy for your child’s illness?
Mozambican Singer Feliciano dos Santos helps fight disease with song
Good health is so linked to good sanitation that this Mozambique singer dedicates his music to informing people about washing their hands, while raising funds for ‘slab’ toilets to give privacy and sanitation to those who have none.
Safe water or More War
In the UK, Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, planned extensive sewage systems for London, and lately, Thames Water has constructed an enormous water pipe which circles the City, providing clean water and a safe disposal of the waste. This is exceptional. Half the world’s population – 2.6 billion people – do not have access to a toilet, nor a bucket for their waste.
Which reports on Carbon offsetting
This link goes to the Which page reporting on Carbon offsetting schemes, but here is one which comes recommended by Which. This one from Blue Ventures, says they will provides stoves and solar stoves which will save CO2 emissions at source. Funding for our South Africa Programme – is here and your company can register as offsetting carbon too
22nd January 2008
All 4 London would –be Mayors say NO to Heathrow third runway
The on-going Greenpeace campaign to stop a third runway at London’s biggest airport – Heathrow - is gathering pace, now that all four Mayoral candidates (Labour, Conservative, Social Democrat and Green) have all come out against this development. More planes lead simply to more pollution. Have your say through the website link above.
Support Union Activists in Alabama
Trade Justice issues are tied in with Climate Change and global warming. We know that Union activity to protect worker’s rights is a powerful tool in developing sustainable situations in the developed world, but here is a story of trade Unionists in the US being wrongly-treated. Workers in Mobile, Alabama at the New Era Cap factory- the Major League Baseball’s exclusive maker of baseball caps - have got a Union organised, but 20+ have been sacked for trying to make conditions fairer. Most workers are female, single with families and black. Support their cause yourself at the website above.
Distillers grain fed to cattle increases E. coli risk for humans
Researchers at Kansas State University have discovered that cattle fed on distiller's grain – a byproduct of the ethanol distillation process – have a greater prevalence of E. coli 0157 in their system. This is fine for the cattle, but more and more herds are being fed distiller’s grain because of the increase in ethanol production. What price e.coli with an undercooked steak or hamburger – we should be told if our meat comes from this source.
Sign up to support Wind Energy
The figures speak for themselves, almost ¾ of us want wind farms in the UK. Here is a site on which you can add your name for support, and be kept up-to-date with news from the wind farm sector.
Feng Shui Tips
I am always looking for tips and tricks to get myself organised. For the powerful Feng Shui, look on this site for ideas that you can easily put into practice to make your life more harmonious, clutter-free (holding on to the past) and prepare for the future.
Google Gets Active
Here is a full report of all the community schemes Google has started or is supporting and it is nice to see a money-making venture which all (mostly all) of us use daily, actually getting to grips with some of the problems facing developing communities and offering practical and future-related resources. Good for Google!
Green Tea reduces Cancer risk
Rats fed cancer-growing chemicals had fewer tumour growths than those not given Green tea derivates. Get out and get your supply of Green Tea now, to help your body fight cancer or to prevent it’s start in the first place.
Chinese herb can trigger cancer cell death
Dr Mercola found this information in the Chinese Medical News. The substance is found in the Chinese herb Huang Qin, and extracts from the herb were seen to cause death to leukaemia cells in the lab – let’s hope thy can advertise this to those facing the pharmaceutical Cancer treatments we have in the UK and US.
Building Biology
Bau-biology is a German term meaning building biology, and their research suggests our buildings can cause us ill-health. They say we should live and work in buildings which are closer to nature and made with natural substances. Checkout further information on the weblink above.
Japan turns to Wind power
With all the trouble the Japanese have over building their latest Nuclear power generating station (1 year and several billions over target) finally the message might be getting home. Wind power is better, cheaper and sustainable.
Help Kenya
Kenya depends on international tourism, aid and trade. With both Odinga and Kibaki accepting Kofi Annan's mediation mission, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. It's not too late to help Kenya back from the brink -- send your message, spread the word today.
Algae for fuel? Since the 70’s scientists have researched Algae for fuel purposes. Now they know it is a powerful CO2 absorber too. Maybe the smallest single cell organisms can help humans reverse the effects of all that fossil-fuel burning.
How to be Happy
This scientist says we ‘choose’ to be happy or not – and maybe if we are not, we need to put things in a different perspective. However much we believe it, more money or possessions are not the answer!
Good Night’s Sleep
Checkout these ideas to get that all-important good night’s sleep. Take the TV out of the bedroom and write down your worries at the end of the day - two easy actions to take pressure off your brain and relax.
Zimbabwe rains and not enough seeds
It seems that with all good intentions, not enough seeds are available to go round Zimbabwe farmers – and recent heavy rains may not have helped the crops as they have come at the wrong time. President Mugabe’s policies are not working, and people are starving.
29th October 2007
Environment
Are we wiping ourselves off the Earth - United Nation Report thinks so
Human Activity is causing massive changes to the climate, and WE ARE RESPONSIBLE – are you prepared to give up flying everywhere, your car, only shower, eat locally grown organic foods and switch off at the plug. This report was drawn up by 150 scientists and we need to take notice of it for out future.
25 Primates – our nearest relatives – are about to disappear
This is just the tip of the iceberg for many species – comments have been that what is left of endangered animals would only fill a football stadium. We have the means to stop this, like we do Climate Change, but how many of us are ‘that bovvered’ to change our lifestyles?
UK may abandon EU renewable energy targets
Not keeping up with Kyoto emissions, now about to abandon renewable energy power generation… is our Government doing what we want it to do, or is it because investing in renewable and safe forms of power will take money away from the Nuclear option, with its radioactive waste and massive taxpayers funding.
Climate Campaign Public Meeting
Thursday November 8th, at 7.00pm at the Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London.
With Human Activity threatening Human Survival, get to this meeting to find out the solutions offered by some of today’s foremost Climate Campaigners. Are you doing your bit, since it is up to each of us to take response-ability for the future.
Democracy
Legal threat over key White Paper planning reforms
Friends of the Earth could launch a legal move against the Government’s proposed White Paper on new planning controls, which lawyers say would run counter to existing UK law and the European Convention on Human Rights, as plans for Nuclear power stations, dumps, and new airports will follow National Policy Statements dictated by the Government. This would take them out of the present planning laws and we could not appeal on any normal planning grounds. Make sure you contact your MP on this one – your voice could make a difference at this stage. Read the Friends of the Earth press release
Darfur rebels say Sudanese Government attacks despite ceasefire
The tragedy in Darfur has hit world headlines time after time. We know the Sudanese, Arab, Government has oil deals with China, and this provides lots of money for increasing their reign over the mostly African peoples in the Darfur Region. Oil kills again
Ken Saro Wiwa ten years on and Nigeria is still blighted by oil
Ten years after activist Ken Saro Wiwa was killed by the Nigerian authorities, the environment in the Delta is poisoned by spills, leaks and no concerted effort to clean up. Fights over oil, corruption and unwise spending leaves Nigeria with 70% of its people living below the poverty line, while oil revenues estimated at US$350 billion have done little to raise living standards generally. Where has all this money gone, and why is there no Global Environmental Authority the poorest people can appeal to for help.
Disappeared : Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine respected Haitian human rights activist
Sign this petition on line to ask for information about the internationally respected Haitian Human Right activist, who disappeared on August 12th this year. Where is he and why won’t the authorities say anything about his whereabouts?
Entertainers with a purpose
Rolling Stone Keith Richards gets active in Hospital protest march
The Rock star joined an estimated 15,000 people on the march to protest against the downgrading of local hospital services, the closure of the Accident and Emergency Services and Maternity cover. They claim acute or seriously ill patients will have to travel too far for fast treatments. Nice to see one of our national rock heroes speaking up for those less fortunate.
Seasonal Scarecrows - An Autumn Warmer
A benefit night in aid of children in poverty 3rd November 101 Queens Road, Peckham, London SE15. Come and stump up your pennies for street children in India – and find out how you can help by joining the Wisdom Trust.
ROCK FOR DARFUR: November 10 - 35 shows on 4 continents in 1 night
Myspace has come up with a new form of Live Aid. Checkout the site and join in the concerts at a PC near you!! This is using technology to do good around the world. The tragedy of Darfur is that it has lasted so long without, until now, any real international community help.
A Party With A Purpose by the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition in New York, November 9th
Pressing for a new and fair trial for US activist Mumia Abu-Jamal, the coalition is holding a party to raise funds for new action to free this vocal critic of the US Government, currently held on Death Row.
Health
Trasylol anti-clotting drug research suggests increased deaths
The Federal Drug Administration in the US is to review the anti-clotting drug Trasylol after research trials were stopped because of increased deaths by those taking the drug, as opposed to deaths from others taking different prescriptions. What price health when the chemical mixtures doctors suggest can do you more harm than good….there is along list of prescribed dugs eventually failing to provide the healthcare benefits they claim to give.
Will raw milk be the latest health issue?
Raw milk is not what we drink normally. Historically found to contain bacteria, it was agreed all milk to be sold should be boiled (pasteurised) before being drunk. Unfortunately this boiling process kills off the ‘good’ bacteria as well as the bad – otherwise people wouldn’t have to drink the very popular ’one a day’ mixtures to replace intestinal bioflora.
Runners have poorer bone density
Seems that runners, swimmers and divers at College have a poorer bone density than other athletes – and all this time we have thought that exercises like running helped to build strong bones. Keep up with the fast walking, or get on a treadmill are better options than pounding the streets.
Tea is good for older women – three cups a day helps bones
Latest research from Australia finds good reasons why women drinking three cups of tea a day promoted good bones – though drinking more doesn’t help -maybe because tea has Flavonoids and phytoestrogens, which are both good for you.
Science
Scientists have found a Cold Spot’ in the make up of the Universe – now they will have to think again about their theories of how the Universe developed after the ‘big Bang’. Just shows we should always think of Science as ‘work in progress’.. and not believe everything they say immediately.
22nd October 2007
Continued violence in Burma as the streets are cleared.
How can the international community – with it’s avowed respect for Human Rights and Democracy - stay idle.
Last week, Burma went dark--the military shut down all internet, telephone and communication links with the rest of the world. They did it because it has been the pictures, blog posts, and emails--of monks brutally murdered, journalists shot--that have done the most to galvanize the entire world on Burma. Without that flow of information, the media is reporting dry diplomatic processes--and each day the danger grows that the press will move on.
We can't allow the Burmese blackout to succeed. Avaaz is working to support highly respected Burmese democracy and civil society groups by sending them $100,000 in crucial technical and humanitarian support this week. You can donate here:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/end_the_burmese_blackout/1.php?cl=32490450
The Concreting of thousands of acres of farming land and destruction of people's houses.
This idea Scored 70% on the Global Ideas Bank. I put this out as information, and someone has already objected to the idea of a runway and suggested a nature reserve to help with water surges…. email me to let me know what you think.
Thames Estuary Airport - an Island Community 2 votes, Feasibility 65% Originality 65% Humour 50%
The Social Invention: Build an Island in the Thames Estuary large enough to support at least one runway. Increase the size gradually to make the land support housing. The Island could be supplied with electricity generated by tidal flow. One side of the River could be left open for shipping. Hundreds of jobs created, saving many acres of farm land from total destruction. The Thames Barrier has passed its most useful life, the Island would act as a flood barrier. To vote and learn more, go to:
http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/bank/idea.php?ideaId=6198
Health topics
Just so you know that health stuff I do from www.mercola.org is backed up by other websites, take a look here:
- The Six Thousand Hidden Dangers of Processed Foods
by BodyEcology.com. Processed Foods Aren't Just What You Pick Up At A Drive Thru
What Exactly Is Processed Food Anyway?
* If it's boxed, bagged, canned or jarred and has a list of ingredients on the label, it's processed. Methods used to process foods include:
* Canning * Freezing * Refrigeration * Dehydration * Aseptic Processing
Greenpeace tissue league table reveals that Boots and Somerfield are trashing forests
Time for you to check your tissues – cotton hankies are best – soak in salt water before washing at 60º to get rid of germs. Other brands gradually going green:
www.greenpeace. org.uk/tissuelea guetable
A new Greenpeace tissue league table released today reveals how Boots and Somerfield are fueling the destruction of forests around the world. These companies are bottom of the league table because they sell few if any environmentally responsible tissue products.
As if the US forces the funded sectarian militia and the US Security firms weren’t bad enough.. here’s a story you might have missed
Guards from a British security firm fired on a taxi in Iraq on Thursday wounding three civilians, police said, in a shooting that will put new pressure on the government to rein in private contractors. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071018/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestguards
by Marwan Ibrahim Thu Oct 18, 2:13 PM ET KIRKUK, Iraq (AFP) -
A woman journalist was among the casualties when the guards opened
fire after the taxi approached their convoy near the northern oil city of
Kirkuk, police said.
As far as psychiatry confirms, if you abuse a child, you are in danger of producing an abusive adult. Perhaps this explains Israel’s state of mind – but surely is it not time now to lick the wounds of the Holocaust and look at the result of your own actions; in my view, Israel is replicating what the Nazi’s did in Warsaw – but on a massive scale, against the Palestinians, who were forced by America to give up their homelands for the Israeli State to be created. Walls don’t work – look at Northern Ireland, the Great Wall of China, the Seigfried line, the Berlin Wall – even Hadrian’s wall in Scotland, put there to keep the wild Scots out – none of them worked in the end.
Palestine Lobby Day, Wed 28 November 2007 2-6pm Westminster, London
Lobby of Parliament – organise a group locally to come to London and lobby your MP. This is an important annual event to let our Government know loud and clear the growing movement of people of all political and religious persuasions in the UK who are outraged by the abuses of human rights and international law committed by the state of Israel in Palestine, without punitive intervention by Western governments.
Extraordinary Rendition
Once again, despite statements from the British Police, there is overwhelming evidence of ‘Extraordinary Rendition’ – that’s kidnap and torture to you and me – Now, thankfully, we have a charity which knows what it is talking about , and the UK Parliament is investigating..
'CIA island jail' to be probed
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B92144A6-B017-4C63-A367-759A99517DF9.htm
A UK parliamentary committee is to investigate allegations that US authorities held 'terrorist' suspects in secret prisons on an Indian Ocean island leased by the US from Britain, officials said. Reprieve, a British legal charity, says the CIA detained suspected al-Qaeda members at an airbase on the island of Diego Garcia.
To me, it’s just the same old, same old. Why cannot people recognise the rights of the Kurds to use their lands. The Kurds are a migratory peoples (or were) who used land now divided up between Iraq and Turkey. Let them use it a, don’t abuse them for wanting their own traditional lifestyle. I thought modern Turkish thinking was to let the Kurds have rights to roam.. or was I mistaken?
Turkey weighs PKK raid response
Turkey's parliament on Wednesday authorised cross-border operations against Kurdish fighters [AFP]
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7CB28F58-9791-474C-B9C9-76ACF2D70681.htm
The Turkish government is weighing calls for action against international pressure for restraint, after Kurdish separatist fighters killed 17 Turkish soldiers and captured several others. Turkey's military says 32 fighters from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were killed in clashes after Sunday's raid.
Gorbachov heads new political group
It’s sad, but in Russia Gorbachov is blamed for the economic downturn and for not being liberal enough when he had the chance. Now here he is supposedly supporting Putin with a new political party, but Putin has said he wants to be the next Prime Minister anyway. Putin is loved by the Russian people because he brought them wealth and exploitation of their natural oil and gas reserves. But do we in the west really trust him. Mind you they both know the secrets of the KGB, so which one would you pick?? http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A6883D8B-1706-4DD6-8EC5-AE5B596BD1D4.htm
Mikhail Gorbachov, Russia's last Soviet leader, has founded a new political movement to rid the country of "extreme political forces" and champion liberal values.
They Are Destroying the Female Species in Congo cont...
After the story of sexual genocide in the DR Congo last week, I have tried to get a petition up with N0 10, at least my request might alert the Prime Minister of the growing disorder in that part of the congo nearest to Rwanda, where the massacres took place years ago. This is more systematic sexual targeting, with women’s bodies being completely destroyed. If the petition is allowed, I shall let you know.
This is the wording:
They Are Destroying the Female Species in Congo: Congolese Human Rights Activist Christine Schuler Deschryver speaks on Sexual Terrorism and Africa's Forgotten War. Between 1997 and 2004, up to four million people died in the conflict. In the latest mortality survey published in the Lancet, the IRC estimates today, three years later, 38,000 people die each month. A particularly brutal aspect is the war against women. ‘We are not talking about normal rapes anymore. This is sexual terrorism, because they're completely destroyed - they put hot plastics, wood, bamboo, guns inside, so the women need heavy repair surgery. An eighteen-month-old child died with broken legs after being raped for two months - males have suffered rape and genital mutilation. At Panzi Hospital, in Bukavu, eastern Congo, we found 60% are carried out by Hutu from Rwanda, the other 40% by rebel and Government troops. The hospital has up to 250 raped women waiting or healing after surgery’.
Please take action now.
number10@petitions.pm.gov.uk
At least one man is in custody, but what are his troops up to ??
Congo militia leader handed to ICC
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/C531EBEC-3544-4F3F-973A-0DE99CFE1F8B.htm
A former militia leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo accused of masterminding the massacre of 200 villagers has been taken into custody by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to face war crimes charges including murder, sexual slavery and recruiting child soldiers.
Germain Katanga faces three charges of crimes against humanity and six relating to war crimes. He was handed over by authorities in Kinshasa, a court prosecutor said on Thursday, becoming only the second suspect taken into custody at the ICC.
India doubtful of US nuclear pact
Thank the Almighty that some people are rebelling against the US pushing Nuclear power round the world…don’t get me started, as I won’t debate the issues, only question what are they going to do with the waste. If you put it in a big hole and cover it with concrete, the radioactivity will seep into the rocks and then into the water supply – what price Cancer on Tap?
Singh's coalition is dependent on the support of leftists, who opposed close ties with the US [Reuters]
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/C9241F45-60FD-4D60-A3ED-8BA2543DD5E9.htm
India has raised doubts about a landmark nuclear energy pact with the US after domestic political tensions reached boiling point in recent weeks over relations with Washington.
Chad declares state of emergency
The old saying that a war between brothers is the worst sort of war seems to be proven true – if we cannot put tribal differences aside, how can we work in the outer world, or with the outer world, to get peace and prosperity for all. http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/657D9E70-9F37-448E-9561-E206484BB7E7.htm
Chad has declared a state of emergency in the north and east of the country near the border with Darfur after recent deadly fighting between ethnic groups. Idriss Deby, the Chadian president has fallen out with his new defence minister Mahamat Nour Abdelkerim, who is a Tama. [AFP]
Chavez warns major oil firms
President Chavez of Venezuela recently said he would supply cheap oil to friendly countries – and no, that isn’t the US or the UK, but the Caribbean and other states. Now he is kicking the oil firms out so the people of this country can gain a better standard of living. Clearly, the people who own the land should have the benefits of what is under it – here in the UK we have had cheap gas for cooking and heating from the North Sea – and we made a profit selling it too.
Chavez, said the state oil company was capable of operating without the multinationals [File: EPA] http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6E6B1FB6-079D-4789-956B-6E6AF4710EFB.htm
Some major oil companies operating in Venezuela have rejected the terms for the enforced takeover of part of their operations by the state, the president says.
Hugo Chavez said late on Friday that if they did not accept the nationalisation deals ahead of Tuesday's deadline, they would be told to leave.
AWE ALDERMASTON BLOCKADE
Well there always has been the joke (though not funny) that the US President had the Weapons of Mass Destruction, rather than Saddam Hussein, or the so-called Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Now the US wasn’t the UK to Break the Internationally agreed Non Proliferation treaty and take the blame for developing New nuclear weapons – and we have to pay them for the privilege – let alone that when we get them, we cannot aim them or fire them either. Join in the blockade if you can, http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk on Mon 12th Nov.
A major blockade of the Aldermaston nuclear weapons factory. Work on the Orion laser - a key facility for the future of Britain's WMD project - is well underway. The AWE (Atomic Weapons Establishment) is reported to be developing a new nuclear warhead. The device, designated the High Surety Warhead is understood to be under development in conjunction with the US who want modernised 'failsafe' nuclear firepower for its submarine-launched Trident missiles. This is a day of non-violent direct action. Legal support on the day. Info pack on website.
15th October 2007
Peruvians Vote 95% to Save Andean Forests from Mining
This is People power at work. Many of the organisers of this debate were under death threats – and threats from local authorities, but voting took place and the forests won the right to remain – thanks to the people’s vote.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/oct2007/2007-10-10-01.asp
SULLANA, Piura, Peru, October 10, 2007 (ENS) - After a prolonged struggle by local inhabitants to preserve the integrity of the Piuran Andes against a mining takeover, on September 16 a popular referendum was organized in the three Piuran communities where Rio Blanco proposes to site an open pit mine.
Costa Rica Expropriates Land to Protect Turtles
Another victory for the people, the land, and all living creatures..
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44817/story.htm
COSTA RICA: October 15, 2007
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has ordered the expropriation of lucrative beach-front land to protect the endangered leatherback sea turtle, the government said on Thursday. Arias began expropriation procedures for some 30 hectares (74 acres) of land in northwestern Costa Rica, the most important leatherback sea turtle nesting site on the Pacific Rim.
Torrential Rains, Floods Kill 20 in Central America
Climate Change affects ALL of us http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44829/story.htm
COSTA RICA: October 15, 2007
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Emergency officials across Central America worked to clean up towns inundated by recent deadly floods and landslides, and braced for more bad weather on Sunday.
At least 20 people were killed and thousands evacuated across Central America after days of torrential rain sparked landslides and flooding. The same weather system that killed 23 people in a Haitian village on Friday triggered a landslide that buried 14 people under mud and debris in Costa Rica.
Toyota is opposing plans to have car mileage increased with better-burn engines…
WASHINGTON - Leading environmental groups pressed Toyota Motor Co Thursday to drop its opposition to the tougher of two fuel economy proposals in Congress, calling the automaker's stance contradictory. http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44835/story.htm
Woodside's Pluto LNG Project Wins Environmental OK
Another move by Australia which flies in the face of Climate Change science, now they want to develop their Liquid Natural Gas fields http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44816/story.htm
October 15, 2007
CANBERRA - The Australian government on Friday gave environmental approval for Woodside Petroleum Ltd.'s A$12 billion (US$10.8 billion) Pluto LNG project off the coast of Western Australia.
The decision comes two days after Chevron Corp's US$10-billion-plus Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project also won an environmental green light from the Australian government, to clear its final regulatory hurdle.
Gore, UN Climate Panel Win Nobel Peace Prize
Although Al Gore has won this, I wonder if he’s donating his money to charity(he is) but still making money from the ‘Green Products’ offered by Goldman Sachs, and making a lot of money from that !!! http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44813/story.htm
October 15, 2007
OSLO - Former US Vice President Al Gore and the UN climate panel won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for helping galvanize international action against global warming before it "moves beyond man's control."
Oil Giant Chevron Urged to Cut Ties with Burmese Military Junta
Dissidents and Activists in jail, the Junta just about speaking to the UN, and the democratically-elected representative Aung San Suu Kyi stays under house arrest
http://democracynow.org
Chevron is one of the largest foreign investors in Burma and is the only remaining major U.S. corporation with a significant presence there. In 2005, Chevron bought the company Unocal weeks after the latter settled a lawsuit accusing it of assisting the Burmese military junta in the torture, murder and rape of villagers during construction of a pipeline.
The end of the Wal-Mart era
There have been changes in World trade since Walmart started, but is quantity better than quality – we the consumers, think so !!!
Its influence on the economy is profound and lasting. But for the first time, the world's biggest retailer is having a tough time providing what consumers want. By The Wall Street Journal www.wsje.com
The Wal-Mart era, the retailer's time of overwhelming business and social influence in America, is drawing to a close.
Fuel or food – now starts the big debate
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food is demanding an international five-year ban on producing biofuels to combat soaring food prices.http://www.swissinf o.org/eng/ about_us/ conditions. html?siteSect= 930
Switzerland' s Jean Ziegler said the conversion of arable land for plants
used for green fuel had led to an explosion of agricultural prices which was
punishing poor countries forced to import their food at a greater cost.
"232kg of corn is needed to make 50 litres of bioethanol," Ziegler said on
Thursday. "A child could live on that amount of corn for a year."
Are we really wiling to sacrifice the natural world just to grow GE corn
New Study Shows Genetically Engineered Corn Could Pollute Aquatic Ecosystems
www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0707177104v1.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A study by an Indiana University environmental science professor and several colleagues suggests a widely planted variety of genetically engineered corn has the potential to harm aquatic ecosystems. The study is being published this week by the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences.
UK cities threatened by regional airport expansion
Binge flying was targeted the London-based Climate Camp and air pollution is worse from planes as the fumes go upwards into the delicate systems above the troposphere – now there is an exhibition - http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/
Opening at The Foundry, 86 Great Eastern Street EC2 on Tuesday 30th
October at 7pm the exhibition runs until 4th November before touring
Here's How Cholesterol Damages Your Heart
Cholesterol has bred loads of new drugs, but are these effective or can you do anything else – in fact is Cholesterol the prime cause for heart disease – new research claims it is not and that many people are suffering because of this misunderstanding. Read the story
High blood cholesterol is known to contribute to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which in turn increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Now, researchers from the Saint Louis School of Medicine have found out how it does this.
Do YOU Understand the Dangers of Hormone Therapy?
We do tend to believe what the doctors tell us, but now we have to look behind the drugs to find what we can change in our lifestyle – basically taking HRT has increased women’s health risks.
Read the story
Despite widespread publicity, the 2002 landmark study on the potential dangers of hormone therapy for postmenopausal women is completely unknown to most women. New research from the Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that only 29 percent of the women surveyed knew anything about the study two years later. Additionally, only 40 percent of the women were able to identify possible risks and benefits linked to hormone therapy.
Diabetes can be beaten by a change in your lifestyle…drink Green Tea!
Green Tea -- Beats Avandia for Diabetes, and No Deadly Side Effects. Read the story
A compound in green tea, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), works as well in moderately diabetic mice as GlaxoSmithKline’s diabetes drug Avandia, according to researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute.
Now we know- plants do talk- and to each other
LiveScience.com Tue Oct 9, 9:35 AM ET
Plants chatter amongst themselves to spread information, a lot like humans and other animals, new research suggests. A unique internal network apparently allows greens to warn each other against predators and potential enemies.
Many herbal plants such as strawberry, clover, reed and ground elder naturally form a set of connections to share information with each other through channels known as runners—horizontal stems that physically bond the plants like tubes or cables along the soil surface and underground.
The world's oldest billionaires
Just thought you single ladies might want to know. Most of the billionaires in the age-90-plus generation got rich the old-fashioned way: coming up through blue-collar backgrounds and picking up street smarts along the way. Forbes.com
Nowhere is this better illustrated than in Forbes' annual list of the world's billionaires. When we put it together in March, we found sources of wealth for the old crowd are mostly 180 degrees from those of the young turks on the list.
The old guard comes largely from blue-collar family backgrounds during an era when college was truly for the sons of privilege. They made their money incrementally, in old-line industries such as oil and banking, after young lives spent toiling at odd jobs brought savvy and street smarts.
They Are Destroying the Female Species in Congo: Congolese Human Rights Activist Christine Schuler Deschryver on Sexual Terrorism and Africa's Forgotten War
I was shocked and angry about this – are these men human still – it seems they come from the people who committed the Rwandan massacres – the Hutu.. but government forces are just as guilty… http://democracynow.org
Another crisis in Africa: the long and ongoing wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Between 1997 and 2004, up to four million people died in the conflict. in all eastern part of Congo, more than 200,000 women, children and babies being raped every day, and now, right now, I am talking to you, thousands of women are taken and children into forests as slave sex