NIGERIA: Early marriage (Martika Bigham)

November 30, 2008
4:35pm

Girls in Nigeria are being married off at very young ages. They have to leave their homes and live with the husband, who can be twice her age. It’s estimated that more than half of the young girls who are being married off, do so before the age of fifteen. Marriage is mostly determined by the cultural values and or poverty of the young girl’s family. The people of Nigeria believe that the longer a girl waits to marry the higher she is at risk for becoming promiscuous. They don’t want their girls to become “loose” and become pregnant outside of marriage.

What the families fail to realize is that there can be multiple nigativemimpacts on the girls life because of wedding early. 12 million girls of school-going age are being denied education to instead be married off to satiate some inconsiderate person’s lust. Early childbearing is a major cause of obstetric fistula, which tissue is torn when blood supply to the tissues of the vagina and bladder and or rectum is cut off during prolonged obstructed labor.

Slowly laws are being made to prohibit things like this from happening. In Jigawa, one of Nigeria’s predominately Muslim states, they have passed a law that prohibits the marriage of under aged children. However the law doesn’t specify an age, it simply says that the adolescent cannot marry until they have reached “puberty”. So in this case the judge will decide if the adolescent will be able to marry or not. Originally the law said 18 was the limit, but the recently changed it to suit the liking of the community. Although this law was made in early 2007, the residents haven’t seen it being enforces and don’t take it seriously. One resident stated that even if they did begin to force it, that people would still break the law. They feel that it is better to marry your daughter and go to jail than to have a grandchild outside of marriage. The government says that they are aware that the child rights law is not being enforced at the moment. They stated that “We first want to sensitise the people on the existence of the law and its provisions and once we are sure they are fully aware of the law, we can then prosecute non-compliance with the law.”

Reading this article really upset me. It was like the government was saying “yeah, were trying to do something about it, but not really.” I think that if they really cared, then they wouldn’t be so lenient about it. They need to be harsher with their enforcement of the laws. Even 18 is pretty young to marry. The families don’t make it any better. They have no problem with marrying their daughters off at 15, knowing that they can’t take on the challenges of being a mother when they’ve barely hit puberty. It’s like you baby sister having a child.

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81667

At Risk of Early Derailment

Alisha Casey/ November 30, 2008/ 4: 45

Racism has been an issue globally and the United Nations hopes to combat racism and the violence that it causes. In 2001, there was a conference in Durban which was a world conference against racism. Recently there have been talks about another World Conference in Geneva. Several countries including Canada and Isareal are threatening to leave the conference unless the meeting avoids the anti-Israel excesses which many thought harmed the first conference.

There were 18,000 delegates at the first conference with the United States and the Israelis left the conference early deciding that criticism of Israelis were disproportionate. Emotions were extremely high at the conference. What is seen as giving the 2001 Conference a bad name was the NGO forum that declared Israel's places related to those of apartheid. Another additive to the situation was the anit-Israel views of Asian countries, mainly Iran.

There are hopes the the conference in 2009 will not be as extreme. I personally hope that the conference will be successful next year in helping to decrease racism and racism acts around the world. Racism has been a problem for many years and has added to the other problems around the world. Hopefully all the countries can come together in order to find a common ground around the world.

http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=348951&story_id=12705743

Tweeting the Terror: How Social Media reacted to Mumbai

Blogging, all over the world issues arise that catch someones attention. Last weeks terrorist attacks on Mumbai, India was an event that was visible to many people. Websites such as twitter were receiving as many as 80 messages via SMS every 5 seconds. The article states that some of these messages were cries of help by innocent by-standers, some asking for ambulances to bring blood, and further help organize relief programs to help those in need after the attacks. Some of the messages to Twitter were sent from inside of the hotel while it was under attack, "One tweet from "Dupree" appeared to be coming from inside one of the hotels: "Mumbai terrorists are asking hotel reception for rooms of American citizens and holding them hostage on one floor."" However after a while some of these "tweets", that were being sent in were becoming inaccurate and potentially harmful, CNN states, "It read simply: "Indian government asks for live Twitter updates from Mumbai to cease immediately. ALL LIVE UPDATES - PLEASE STOP TWEETING.""
This article purely shows that we live in the informational age, but the misinformation part is still there, endangering lives was also a possibility because of the inaccurate information that some people provided. Some bloggers went as far as to say that up to 1,000 people had dies due to the attacks.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/27/mumbai.twitter/index.html
Thomas Baker
November 30th, 2008

How many human lives is a flat panel TV worth? | Wise Bread

How many human lives is a flat panel TV worth? | Wise Bread: "There are very few things that are important enough, to me, to stand in line to purchase. This is partly because I don't like people, and thus try to avoid milling among them for any amount of time. This is also because there's just no purchasable item that I find worth my time. It's also, partly, a product of my upbringing. My mother is simply not much of a bargain shopper, and certainly never waited outside of a store for more than a few minutes (nevermind hours) in order to get inside and snatch up the first discounted television set that she saw.

This is why I am so completely baffled that a 270 pound man was trampled to death by rabid shopopers at a Wal-mart in Long Island this past Friday."

Eradicating Poverty: Role of Agriculture

Poverty is a pandemic. “In Scandinavian countries two percent of the populations live below the poverty line. In some African countries this is as high as 35 percent. Throughout the world more than 35,000 people die of poverty a day.”

Saudi Arabia has had a history of ignoring this pandemic especially within their own soil. King Abdullah’s recent visit to poor districts during Ramadan was for the first time an official recognition of the existence of poverty in the kingdom. The tour had a positive outcome that led to the establishment of a charitable fund to help the poor and more efforts in their anti-poverty strategy; a great leap from their passive past with poverty.

The World Bank has conducted a series of studies that stress that agriculture is the key to developing rural areas and eradicating poverty. The development of rural areas is the best means to achieve a far distribution of income among the people of the Kingdom. It proved that agriculture has more effect on anti-poverty strategy than any other activity because it provides basic food to the people. Development of rural areas and small villages is vital as it creates more employment opportunities.

Saudi Arabia is striving for this agricultural reform and rural development to encourage sustainable development that will ensure their people food security, eliminate acute poverty and hunger, help spread primary education, and boosts equality and social justice.

While I think it is great that Saudi Arabia is taking steps to not only recognize thier issues with poverty, but also taking action to eradicating it... I feel like this whole semester I have been reading articles that have the same strategies but difficulties in executing them. So may be the problem lies within the execution of the strategy, and the not the strategy itself.

Southern Africa: SADC Countries Committed to Taking Women's Rights Further

Kari Leonard
Current Event 14
November 28, 2008



This article is about how in August of this year the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries made it their protocol to make gender rights the forefront of the plan of action. The protocol is a groundbreaking document, which consolidates SADC policies, and programs dealing with gender matters and provides the region’s leaders with a clear roadmap to move towards equality. There is one big issue that the region wants to enforce and that is legislation prohibiting all forms of gender based violence-including marital rape. A court of competent justice will try all persons who commit these violent gender based acts. The article also says that the protocol is significant for the women of the sub-region. The article also says the document contains 25 articles covering different aspects relating to issues ranging from access to justice and education and ensuring women’s rights are included in member states’ constitutions. Again I found an article that speaks about helping women’s rights become a reality. It is really amazing to me that so many of these developing countries are making it a priority to help women. Through tackling issues like violence and having access to justice and education they can really help women out tremendously. This is especially good in countries within Africa who don’t have a lot of money to begin with. They are still taking the initiative to try and help the women’s statuses as much as the whole country.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200811260218.html

Ethopia: Charge or Free Ethnic Terrorism Suspects Vanida Chithtamath 10:50pm

10:50
11-28-08

Report Release on November 27th from Human Rights Watch states that the Ethopian government should free 53 ethnic Oromos arrested several weeks ago due to suspicious ties to terrorists organizations. HRW.org believes the detainees should be released from costody because it the probablity of torture in confinement is really high. Since mid October the Ethopian government has arrested a large number of ethnic Oromos, and the government continues to claim that the Oromos have connections to terrorists plots to organized crime. Even though Ethopia has the right and true concerns of actual attacks, they means of imprisioning this particular ethnic group, looks to be suspicious and seems to be targetting them just because of their region and cultural background. The Ethopian government has largerly grown discontent with the Oromos and this is a "legal" way of putting the Oromos in jail for reasons that have no support behind them. The Ethiopian government blames the Oromo rebels for numerous grenade and bomb attacks in Addis Ababa and elsewhere in recent years. A public statement by police and intelligence officials on November 22 accused legal opposition parties of harboring terrorists bent on "dismantling the national constitution" within their ranks. This is just an example of grief from the government.
Overall I think that countries in Africa has always grown up with the idea of many tribal groups and different society, but it wasn't until colonization and modern times that has battled these ethnic groups against each other for a better future in this society. Just as in the case with the Rwanda when the Tutsi won more power in governmental seats the Hutus felt oppressed and second-class so there was growing tension, and this same thing is occuring here. The Ethopian government feels discontent from the Oromos so they are trying to oppress them.

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/11/26/ethiopia-charge-or-free-ethnic-oromo-terrorism-suspects

U.N. Report Estimates More Funding Needed to Reach 2030 Emissions Goal

Stephanie Adams

November 28^th 2008

With the global economy looking weak it is hard to hear a recent report from the U.N. stating that the funding necessary to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is likely to exceed past estimates by hundreds of billions of dollars. The U.N. publicized the report a week before the climate change conference taking place in Poznan, Poland.

The report will be presented at the conference and will address the 2030 goal of reducing emissions by 25 percent compared to the level of emissions in 2000. The amount of money they estimated to make is possible is around 200 billion dollars annually. The U.N. Framework Convention Conference relates the cause of the increase to much needed investment in fossil fuel alternative energy sources such as fuels cells, solar panels and carbon storage.

Carbon storage is still in an experimental phase and consists of containing the carbon dioxide released from polluting factories and then storing it underground in chambers. There is also additional funding needed to support developing countries in order to help them prepare for the changes caused by global warming. The world’s largest emitters are China, the US and then in third place India. China and India are both rapidly developing countries and need technology that will allow them to develop using cleaner energy sources so that their growth does not create a growth in environmental issues.

Whether this report will be taken in with open arms at the convention in Poznan, depends on the opinions of certain countries and how willing they are to make such investments during the current economic problems.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jW7uNtjy-taCuOE9ue0_wwZO857w

Gender aspects of climate change

Fikre Debela

Nov. 28th, 2008

        Gender inequality is often thought of as brought about by men who tend to dominate society. Even though this may be true in some way, the climate however is another hindering factor to gender inequality. In disaster prone areas women are often the ones who are affected by it the most. When things like cyclones or powerful earthquakes happen women are often less likely to be informed about it and the ones struggling to make ends meet in their family. This being unfortunate for women it is a major factor of the inequality that women face around the world.
       According to reports the country of Bangladesh is the most vulnerable to impacts by the climate. In 1991 a cyclone happened and killed 138,000 people. Women over 40 years old happened to be many of the victims. When natural disasters like this occur women become more open to things like malnutrition, lack of medical faculties, and proper sanitation. There has also been an increase in women headed households because men have to go work far from their homes to bring in money. If a natural disaster occurs women are often left with the responsibility to provide new shelter for their families and other households task. Women are often made to work harder because these disasters occur and have less time to go to school. Girls often have to drop out of school to help their families. Climate is a huge factor in the gender inequalities affecting our societies.
      I would have never related climate changes to having an effect on gender inequalities. This issue needs to be dealt with. More people have to help women in these kinds of situations. Being left to care ones family after a disaster is too much work, especially in poorer nations. There are organizations that are fighting for this cause though. Women for Climate Justice and Women’s Environment and Development Organization are both doing this.

www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=65347

Black Friday warning: video games waste energy and contribute to global warming

The Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York-based environmental organization,in a new report says that video games are huge energy wasters, mostly because people tend to leave them on even when they're not using them. The study, conducted with Portland, Ore., environmental research and consulting firm Eco consume an estimated 16 billion Kilowatt hours per year, roughly equal to the annual electricity use of the city of San Diego. Sony PlayStation 3 which uses 150 Watts of energy and Xbox 360 which uses 119 Watts are the biggest wasters, while the Nintendo Wii draws less than 20 Watts, according to the NRDC report. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 each if left on all the time, consume more than 1,000 kilowatt-hours each year which is equal to the annual energy use of two new refrigerators. But the report is calling for power-saving features on the consoles that could save approximately 11 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, cut the nation's electricity bill by more than $1 billion per year, and avoid emissions of more than 7 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. Which equals an amount equal to the global warming pollution from all the cars on the road in San Jose, California.

This reports shows that EVERYONE no matter your age has an effect on the global warming problem. Everyone's hands are dirty in this problem and everyone needs to make some essential sacrifices so that we can effectively counter this problem. Leaving things on such as console as well as leaving chargers plugged in are drainers on energy much more than people think and is an easily solvable problem. Many of the problems that we face on a global level can't really be fought on a local level, but simply unplugging unused things and turning things off is an easy way people can have an effective role in fighting global warming.


http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=black-friday-warning-video-games-wa-2008-11-28

Terror in Mumbai

A group of coordinated terrorists attacked the city of Mumbai, India on Wednesday.Over one hundred have been found dead by machine gun and grenade assults. By Indian terror standards this by far surpassed those of other attacks recently. They struck places with the most tourists. Survivors have told reporters that they singled out Americans and Britons. A previous known terror group took resonsibility but nothing has been confirmed. Desperate cell phone calls were made from hostages and even those who avoided capture but were in hiding. Several high ranking officials of law enforcement have been killed including the chief of anti terrorism. The Bush Administration condemns the attacks as does President elect Barrack Obama. However, they are still assessing the hostage situation.

I'm not surprised this attack happened. In previous articals I have posted terror groups said they would make an attack on the US and clearly this attack was meant fort he US.

Barred from Zimbabwe, but not Silent - Laura Johnson 11/28/08

Robert Mugabe managed to keep three US Humanitarian Elders out of Zimbabwe but these members have given Mr. Mugabe and the leaders of southern Africa an earful on Monday about Zimbabwe’s grave humanitarian crisis. They asserted that these leaders should act more responsibly in resolving these issues. Former US President Jimmy Cater, part of the humanitarian group barred from Zimbabwe, was president at the time Robert Mugabe rose to power at the end of white minority rule in Zimbabwe in 1981. However, Mr. Carter said Mr. Mugabe was being callous toward his people and acted as if he did not know the crisis going on Zimbabwe. He directed his attacks at the Southern African Development Community, the SADC, as well, who are known to be soft towards Mr. Mugabe.

The carter group was able to talk to Zimbabwean’s opposition officials, South Africa’s president, Western diplomats, UN representatives, and Zimbabweans who fled their country. They concluded that Zimbabwean’s collapsing public services - health, education, sanitation, water – could not be resolved until a power-sharing deal between Mr. Mugabe and the opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, took effect and the country had a functioning government again. Even though both leaders already signed a power-sharing deal two months ago, Mr. Mugabe has yet to hold up his end of the bargain.

The SADC should bring its full weight to bear to ensure the agreement is fully implemented at the next meeting. Under the agreement, Mr. Mugabe would remain president while Mr. Tsvangirai would become prime minister. However, they have been feuding over how to divide the most powerful ministries, and particularly over control of the police force, which is now used an engine of Mr. Mugabe’s repressive rule. He stays in power through his influence and power over this ministry. Once his power is taken or divided over the police force, then he influence should decrease over all other ministries. This would undoubtedly direct the nation towards progressiveness instead of the present façade of democracy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/world/africa/25zimbabwe.html?ref=africa

Virginia Prepared For Influenza Pandemic

Kenneth Miller
4:14PM 1/28/08
http://old.thejakartapost.com/detailnation.asp?fileid=20081127.G01

Tamiflu floods Virginia warehouses as the state prepares for the inevitable outbreak of a flu pandemic. The fore-mentioned warehouses remain secretive as to insure the safety of the drug while it awaits it's state wide debut. A flu pandemic in Virginia would be viewed as catastrophic; this consideration is also given to the unique variety of avian birdflu that still posses a threat. A flu outbreak would be simple to handle, however the real threat is with an outbreak of the avian flu as no reliable cure has yet been discovered. The disease is currently <333 in stage 3 in which it is capable of passing from animals to humans, which is only a small mutagenic step from level 4 in which transmission among humans is possible. In this stage the government would release quantities of Tamiflu to the general public, however a true vaccine would still be 4-6 weeks away from the initial outbreak. Officials fear a similar outbreak in Virginia as was spotted in 1918 which resulted in the deaths of 15 thousand residents, however they believe their formulated strategy will be an effective prevention of the incident.

It seems the new fear of flu pandemic is all the rage in media, as it is a nearly inescapable news topic. However I believe the coverage is clearly warranted, as an outbreak could cause magnitudes of social disorder and death. It is reassuring that states have planned and prepared effective countermeasures to to combat this possible threat. I can't help feel however that perhaps the secretive stashing of the Tamiflu is a bit over the top. This leads me to assume the government fears rash out breaks of violence from the general public and their attempts to raid the store houses, if not for a cure for a quick buck. Perhaps that is the naviety of my youth speaking as many of us have yet to experience a pandemic that rattles the nation. Lets hope in that we'll never have to.

Diaharria Pandemic Still As Terrible As It Sounds

Kenneth Miller
4:14PM 1/28/08

Campaign putting an end to domestic abuse

Danielle Plesser

SOC202

November 28, 2008, 4:10 PM

November 25 was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Going along with this, a press conference in Hanoi took place on that day, and a campaign was launched to “raise public awareness of gender equality issues and to highlight men’s responsibilities in preventing violence against women.” This campaign was organized by Paz Y Desarollo, a Spanish NGO, along with some Vietnamese organizations like the Vietnamese Peasants’ Association. Until March 2009, they will work to get the word out about domestic violence through pamphlets, films, parades and other such media.

When I read this article, I had several thoughts. One was, sadly, proof that I am very Americanized in my view of news. Honestly, I was surprised to hear about an event taking place where the US was wholly uninvolved. That seems like it should be obvious- the US isn’t involved in everything that happens all the time. But it still surprised me, and that made me sad, that I assume that no news will be broadcast unless the US is somehow involved.

Next, I was saddened to hear that Vietnam has such an issue with violence like this. I wonder what the situation is for more rural areas, since the statistics given in the article focus more on the larger cities in the country. Since the Vietnamese Peasants’ Association is involved, I somehow assume this is a nationwide issue.

Finally, I know that I mock the idea of just fundraising, but I also worry that ‘informing’ people might be a little ineffective towards achieving the goals of the campaign. Maybe I’m just overly pessimistic, or maybe I’ve only ever lived around people who I just assume KNOW that domestic violence is wrong. It sort of seems like no one needs to be taught that it’s wrong, people just need to learn not to remain silent about it. I do like that the article mentioned the campaign’s focus on “men’s responsibilities.” Too many of these campaigns concentrate only on the women of the nation, it seems.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/11/815438/

United Nations Experts Getting Involved in Irans Women's Rights Movement

United Nations Experts Getting Involved in Irans Women's Rights Movement

John Johnston

11/28/2008

4:30pm

Experts on women's rights and issues surrounding women's rights have voiced concerns over the treatment of women and women's rights advocates in Iran. There has been a severe crackdown on women that are supporting these advocacies and movements. It has been reported that advocates are facing harassement, arrest, persecution and given jail sentences for protesting and voicing concerns over the treatment of women. A signature campaign, "One Million Signatures Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws" has been an area of increased law-supervision due to the purpose of the campaign. "One Million Signatures Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws" is trying to get one million signatures that demands the reform of laws that discrimate against women. The statement from the UN experts urge Iran to start abiding by laws that are currently in place to protect women.

----------------------

A lot has been written/published about Iran in the past months, which signals its needs for reform and change in the laws and traditions that concern women and their rights. It seems as though much attention has been focused on Iran, and for pertitant reasons. Iran continues to lag behind in almost every aspect of daily life. The economy, especially the currency, is suffereing greatly, there are threats against Iran and nuclear actions from Iran, and the continuing women's rights violations that occur daily, it seems as if Iran does not care about changing. So many policies and sanctions and attention has been on Iran, but if a country does not want to change or agree to all the aforementioned agreements, what can be done? When does it fall on the shoulders of the world to force a country into obedience and submission? It seems as though a country like Iran, that continues to discriminate against women needs to wake up and pay attention to the benefits of female contribution to society and the positive benefits associated with it.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29103&Cr=human+rights&Cr1=defenders

Carter Group Barred from Zimbabwe - Laura Johnson 11/21/08

Mr. Mugabe’s decision to forbid a humanitarian visit by former US President Jimmy Carter, former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, and Graca Machel, Nelson Mandela’s wife, was a measure of the Zimbabwean leader’s disdain for international opinion at a time when deepening hunger, raging hyperinflation, and the collapse of health, sanitation, and education services have crippled Zimbabwe. The Carter group said they had hoped to get a firsthand sense of the crisis and to assess the help the country needs. However, Mr. Mugabe himself said no.

The Carter group all expressed extreme disappointment that they were unable to talk to ordinary Zimbabweans about the deteriorating conditions in their country. The breakdown of Zimbabwe’s water and sanitation systems, which the government no longer has the cash to maintain due to hyperinflation, has led the cholera epidemic spilling over the border to South Africa now. Zimbabwe’s Health Ministry itself acknowledged last week that cholera had spread to 9 of the country’s 10 provinces. International health officials say the disease has sickened more that 6,000 people and killed almost 300.

Those 6,ooo people are the impoverished and starving Zimbabweans. Mr. Mugabe has been in power for 28 years and is known as the libertarian, and yet now his country is deteriorating so fast that a future for the country is hard to see. All Mr. Mugabe cares about is obtaining and keeping power. Since he has had this power for so long, he can pull all the strings to keep it. He is so distanced from the actually problems experienced by all other Zimbabweans. As the problems of Zimbabwe continue to spill over in other Southern African nations, it a wonder why all the governments do not rally together. They’re only option is to take action against Mugabe since any other foreign humanitarian group, like the Carter group, would be denied access to the country.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/world/africa/23zimbabwe.html?_r=1&ref=africa

Mumbai Fighting Narrows To One Hotel

4:00 pm
Chambria N. Brawley

As a result of three agonizing days brought about by an unidentified group of terrorists, at least 150 people have been confirmed to be dead; of those 150, it is known that two were American citizens. The terrorists have evaded local luxury hotels such has the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi, train stations, as well as other prominent tourist spots such as the Nariman House were at the center of these deadly charades, in which foreigners were their desired targets (especially Americans, Britons, and Israeli citizens); numbers of individuals were held hostage with first incidents taking place on Wednesday. As the Indian government battles to take control, hostages have been removed from the hotel in Oberoi and from a Jewish community center. Sadly over 22 foreigners have been presumed to be dead within the city. Although there is no ground shaking evidence, the Indian government suspects the likes of Pakistan in this mayhem, although Pakistani chief of intelligence, Shuja Pasha rebukes such claims. There are already strained lines between the two countries, and with such accusations being made, it unsure whether this will give rise to more terror between the two nations.

Just shy of nightfall, 24 guests were confirmed dead in the Oberoi hotel and remaining hostages were released. However, those trapped within the Taj Mahal hotel walls have been less fortunate, with the army operation only reporting to be in their “final stage.” There is at least one terrorist left inside moving interchangeably between two floors of the hotel; two other militants were killed in the night. Militants were well equipped in that they carried bags filled with several hundred rounds of ammunition, money, credit cards from seven of the world’s largest banks, and some form of identification cards. It was also reported that the layout of the hotels and areas were very well researched and known to the militant groups, the militants were well trained, and that the rather young militants showed no remorse whatsoever.

As I mentioned before, Indian, along with US government officials have looked to the likes of a militant Pakistani group based out of Kashmir, Lashkar-e-Taiba as the origin of this violence, however it has not been officially confirmed. F.B.I. officials have been dispatched to Mumbai for further investigation.

This is a heartbreaking story that has unfolded. I think often times we take so much of our freedoms for granted. To lose family members at any point in time is devastating but it is especially hard to lose family when everyone is coming together for the holiday season. The reason for these attacks are unclear, but I feel strongly that there was some type of passion behind their behavior; whether religiously motivated or not, they felt their actions were purposeful. The reality of the situation is cruel and unjust and in this situation, there is little justice for those who have suffered a loss this season.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/world/asia/29mumbai.html?pagewanted=1&hp

Cady Barrett
28 November 2008
Religious Conflicts

If the attacks on Christians were not enough, India has new troubles on the horizon. With the most recent terrorist attacks on Mumbai, causing all westerners to be evacuated from the country, the world is now watching as the religious conflicts grow worse. With a country of 1.9 billion people, 119 were killed on Wednesday and Thursday by a terrorist group thought to be Islamic. Some believe that the conflict happening in Iraq is now shifting to India. India is one of the world’s largest growing countries, not only population wise but economically as well. After the attacks the democratic country has now joined the world in a global war on terror. It has been said that many of the terrorist groups are going to target the democratic south Asia countries. In Mumbai alone there are 19 million currently living, and with the massive attacks and bombings the city is in shambles. Early this morning, Indian commandos freed dozens of hostages, but could not free dozens more trapped in the Oberoi Hotel. More than 400 people were brought out of the Taj Mahal hotel. Survivors reported seeing death on the streets in the form of dozens of dead bodies. At least 288 people have been injured in the attacks so says the State Department. All of this troubles me personally because of the violence already occurring in India between the Christians and the Hindus. With all of this conflict now occurring in the East could is spread to the West? And furthermore could this be the beginning of the third world war?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-11-27-mumbai_N.htm

"world mandate" on climate action

A recent opinion poll distributed in 11 countries has shown that citizens want their leaders to be doing more about global climate change than they already are. Half of the respondents say they want their leaders to be doing more to help, while only a quarter said that their leaders were doing enough. In the developing countries polled (Brazil, India, Malaysia and Mexico), a majority said they were willing to make lifestyle changes to support their governments goals on climate change. Experts say this now amounts to a "global mandate" for climate change, showing that many people around the world are willing to work with their governments to be effective against climate change. Surprisingly, 43% of those polled even said that their government should see climate change as a priority over the world's current financial instability. However, in the developed countries, many still aren't willing to give up or alter their lifestyles in order to help. They are willing to spend extra time and money to help curb climate change, though.
I think that people in "developed" countries need to reconsider their lifestyles, and how they might give up the excess they have in order to help out. Our lifestyles, especially in America, are really excessive and wasteful. It is interesting to hear that many people don't think their governments are doing enough yet.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7748247.stm

Japan stocks rise on hopes for global economy

Carrie Reinheimer. November 28, 2008. 8:38am

The Japanese are starting to see a brighter future and hopes that it stick with them. Optimism that a prolonged global economic downturn will be averted lifted Japanese stocks Thursday, following an aggressive interest rate cut in China and assurances by President-elect Barack Obama for a swift economic rescue plan. Overnight, U.S. markets reversed losses after Obama pledged he would have an economic plan on his first day in office. After filling more spots on his economic team, Obama declared: "help is on the way." The Dow Jones industrials rose 2.9 percent to 8,726.61. Securities companies were among the day's biggest winners, with Nomura Holdings Inc. surging 5.3 percent to 680 yen and Daiwa Securities Group Inc. up 6.3 percent. Still, investors were reluctant to drive stocks much higher amid ongoing concerns about the yen's strength and the latest terrorist attacks in India, said Mitsushige Akino, fund manager at Ichiyoshi Investment Management in Tokyo.” The U.S. is spending money right now on measures to boost the economy," he said. "If geopolitical risks rise, like terrorism, then it will probably have to spend even more money in response. Then that will only further weaken the dollar." Japanese exporters in particular have been hit hard this year by the stronger yen, which reduces profits earned abroad and makes their products more expensive in overseas markets. Shares of Panasonic Corp. declined 4.7 percent to 1,284 yen on speculation that it planned to slash its profit outlook, which it announced after the market closed. Blaming the "rapid appreciation of the yen," the Osaka-based company now expects net profit of 30 billion yen from its previous forecast of 310 billion yen.
It is good to see the hope is some countries reach. If only this would happen for the whole world it would be a better place. Hopefully since the reason Japan is doing so good has something to do with us and our new president we will be able to see hope in our country too. There is so far to go that it is hard to imagine when everything will be back to where it use to be and at a stable level.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hy6Xu151pZjk_RcLYCdKsJvLqajwD94N5P100

No End to 'Hate Campaign' in India
By Ethan Cole
Christian Post Reporter
Wed, Nov. 26 2008 05:20 PM EST
It was starting to look a little better last week in India but there seems to be no end of the fighting’s and attacks. This has been going on for over three months. The Christians are still the target from the Hindus. The attacks are getting worse forcing out the Christians from their homes.
The number of Christians being attacked and forced to leave has now reached even a higher number 50,000. They can only return under the forced Hindu requirement that they convert.
Again it is believed that the government is no stepping in to do its part in protecting the Christians. Not only does this upset the displaced Christians but other countries are upset.
The mission group Operation Mobilization and the All India Christian Council are combing their efforts to help these displaced Christians. The AICC is putting together reports and interviewing victims so that they can take these cases to court.
Operation Mobilization India representive Peter Dance said they are trying to help those Christians to attend church and are doing all they can to support them financially. Because of this help these Christians are receiving “food, clothing, housing and medicine.”
Again as in previous articles these attacks by the Hindus began in Orissa during the month of August. All of this started when “Hindu fundamentalists” blamed Christians for the murder of a “Hindu nationalist leader.”
The Indian Christians keep denying they had nothing to do with the murder and in fact another group steps up and takes responsibility. This lead to the Hindus attacking the Christians, attacking their homes, businesses churches and so on. Now the estimated total deaths have reached more than 100.
I feel this is getting out of hand and do not understand why the government is not stepping up and helping the Christians so that they can return home. Some articles I have read say that the government is corrupt and from what I have read it seems that the government is corrupt. These Christians have done no wrong except believe in their religion. I believe the Hindus should be held responsible for their attacks, and sought after and punished. If it were reverse then I believe more action would be taken.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20081126/no-end-to-hate-campaign-in-india.htm

United Kingdom: Pre-Budget Report November 2008: Personal Tax Highlights

Jennifer Rudd/ November 27, 2008/ 3:30 p.m.

This article was very informative about the United Kingdom’s pre-budget. I found this interesting to read because of the crisis and situation that the country is in. The review is to focus on the role of the financial centers in the global economy and their long-term business strategies. The review arises in the context of severe financial turbulence and it is fair to anticipate that it will focus at least in part on tax practices in the offshore centers it covers. There were different changes that went on throughout the budget. For example, here are some anti-avoidance changes that I found to be interesting: "Qualified Investor Schemes - the 10 per cent individual ownership test to be replaced by 'a genuine diversity of ownership rule, film partnerships - further measures to be introduced to counter tax avoidance using film partnerships, plant and machinery leasing - measures to be introduced to counter avoidance planning which exploits loopholes in the current rules relating to capital allowances where plant and machinery is sold and leased back, disclosure of tax avoidance schemes - the current rules will be amended to simplify and improve the reporting of schemes and change the reporting date to the tax year of implementation in all cases, employee tax - certain rules relating to the taxation of employment related share awards are to be simplified, principle based anti-avoidance rules - the Finance Bill 2009 will contain anti-avoidance rules to tackle disguised interest and the transfer of income streams between taxpayers." I believe that each one of these would help out in some way. Since these are the anti-avoidance changes these would be changes that would not necessarily should be changed. Other aspects of the budget the need to be changed would help the economy boost back up. Hopefully the upcoming holidays will help and change the recession.
I think that this budget will help the economy. I feel that others would think the same. I am glad that the country is trying to get a base foundation to try to build it back up. I feel that if everyone helps out this could be accomplished.
http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=70598

Chinese officials say employment situation "grim"

Angela Berst
Sociology-202
3:01pm
11/26/08

Chinese officials say employment situation “grim”

It seems as though the economic crisis is becoming much worse and the effects are quite noticeable. Many businesses and firms have had to close down from the decrease in production. Companies in China have ended up “resorting to massive layoffs which could lead to social unrest.” People that are searching for employment in cities are “outnumbering new jobs by two-to-one.” There are about twenty-four million people in rural areas that are looking for jobs in the city. Only about twelve million job positions are actually open in the city. This causes many problems for people; many job positions are being cut this is another reason why employment in the cities is so low. “In Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces have seen massive layoffs due to production cuts and factory closures.” “More than sixty-eight thousand small companies nationwide collapsed in the first half of two thousand eight” as the government has predicted. These problems and job losses are not just occurring in the main areas in China but all over the country. The economic issues that are shown here in China are part of and contributing to the current global crisis. The problems in China are just a part of a continuous cycle leading to the decline in production and employment. In order to resolve or at least slow down this recession countries need to unite and work together to find a common solution.



"Chinese officials say employment situation "grim"" Domain-b.com. 24 Nov. 2008. 26 Nov. 2008 .

Gas shortage to come?

Gas shortage to come?
Rachael Morgan
11-25-08
“Long-awaited relief at the pump continued over the last week with the nation's average retail gasoline price falling below $2 a gallon to its lowest level in 46 months, the Energy Department said Monday. Gas prices have fallen so far and so fast that some experts are concerned Americans who have drastically curtailed their thirst for gasoline might be ready to guzzle again.”
There has been a huge decline, over the past few months, in gas consumption by American consumers. In part because of the record high prices established this summer. Now as gas prices continue to fall, to their lowest prices in a few years, demand is slowly rising, as consumers with SUV owners can once again fill up with out breaking the bank to do so. This demand could, however, contribute to yet another gas shortage this year. Refineries have slowed production to match demand recently, and with such an unstable economy they are not sure of how much of an increase in production should be set into motion.
“The U.S. average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline fell 18 cents over the last week to $1.892, according to the Energy Department's weekly survey of filling stations. That was $1.205 below the year-earlier price and the lowest since the $1.853 recorded on Jan. 24, 2005.”
As our gas prices continue to drop, so does our economy. As enticing as relief at the pump is, until our economy is stable yet again, this will only continue to disrupt our economy.

Sources cited:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gas25-2008nov25,0,3196091.story

Disabled Suicide Bombers

by: Nicole Griffin

On Monday November 24th a woman armed with a vest lines with explosives, was detonated. Strange the detonation of the vest was not controlled by the woman, but by another lurking insurgent who set off the deadly contraption. The female bomber killed five people outside of a fortified zone in Baghdad, Iraq. The woman was not just the average potential woman ready to work for the insurgencies, but she was mentally disabled. The practice of extremists using mentally disabled women has deployed many; one case that has surfaced led many of the disabled women to conduct remote detonation in Baghdad’s pet shop area, killing ninety-nine people. The case remains to be ambiguous as to if the disabled women have a voice in the matter or if these women are actually left without a choice? It is inconceivable to believe that these extremist truly care about the citizens of their country, in fact it is too diabolical to believe otherwise.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/11/24/iraq.blast/index.html

AIDS and Human Trafficking

Hazel Inglis/ 11/25/08/ global crimes/ 5:23pm

When you think of HIV/AIDS, you usually do not think of human trafficking but there is a correlation between the two. The article talks about the two being correlated in South Africa but I am sure that that the same correlation happens in other countries that have a high rate of HIV/AIDS. The article also talks about the need for more community-based programs to help solve the problem and more comprehensive legislation to human trafficking as a crime in South Africa.

There are thousands of orphans in South Africa because of HIV/AIDS and this leads them to be more vulnerable to human trafficking; they do not have a family to support them and to protect them. These children are often left to take care of younger sibling or elderly grandparents so the migration of minors in search of employment have increased and lead many into the wrong hands. “South Africa has the potential for high levels of internal trafficking because of its unique socio-political history and stark economic equalities,” says Ndenze.

This article brings up an aspect of human trafficking that I was not aware of. It makes sense that there is a correlation between human trafficking and HIV/AIDS. This issue is even more complex in South Africa because of the history of racism there.

http://www.iol.co.za/general/news/newsprint.php

Afghan conflict claiming more child casualties as insurgency spreads - UN report

Jessica Maw, November 25th 2008, 1:30pm, Blog 14

The conflict in Afghanistan is worsening and with this more children are being killed, exploited and abused. The Taliban is persisting in using children as suicide bombers, while international and Afghan forces have unintentionally killed dozens of children as they attempt to beat back the insurgency, according to the report from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, which detailed several examples.

The report tells that on May 16th 2008 a twelve year old boy was used as a suicide bomber. He approached a joint International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)-Afghan National Army foot patrol where it is believed that his suicide vest was detonated remotely.

The report also tells of an incident in November last year where a suicide bomber targeted parliamentarians on a road in northern Baghlan province led police and bodyguards to fire indiscriminately. The result of this attack was 52 school children dead.

Another case of children being exploited is that of children being sexually abused by the members of the armed forces and armed groups. The case mentioned in the report is that of two police officers who were arrested for sexually abusing a 15 year old boy but both were later released after bribing the authorities.

A study by UNAMA states that children are being used as suicide bombers by the Taliban with most of these children being 15 or 16. These children are being tricked, promised money or forced to become suicide bombers.

The authorities in Afghanistan need to improve their laws and their law enforcement. Children should be made to feel safe where there are figures of authority not at risk.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29042&Cr=afghan&Cr1=

Iraq government and Kurds discuss disputed oil contracts

Brittany Sturdivant
November 25, 2008
Oil

On Monday Iraq’s oil minister met with senior Kurdish officials so that they could discuss an oil contract dispute. The dispute is supposedly had caused tensions between the Shiite-dominated central government and the Kurdish self-rule regional government in the north. The Kurds have an oil and gas law that was established in August 2007 and ever since then there has been over 20 product sharing contracts with international oil companies. Iraq’s oil ministry is claiming that the oil contacts are invalid and they are now threatening to exclude and blacklist the companies that have signed these deals with the Kurds. After the two hour meeting held on Monday the two sides agreed to operate the Khourmala oil field, south of the Kurdish city of Irbil. Iraq is doing this because they want to attract international oil companies so they can provide investments that are much needed.I think it’s ridiculous that the Iraq oil ministry is threatening to exclude and blacklist these companies. By doing this to these companies, I think it will make Iraq look very and other countries and companies may not want to do business with them anymore. I do not see why the Kurds have to contact Iraq if they decide to sign contracts with oil firms. Iraq is suffering tremendously from a drop in oil prices, so I think they need to stop worrying about these contracts and figure out what they can do to help the people in their country.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jUgnf_h1tymdmTHrMf8uSi8NkDPgD94LF89O0

HIV/AIDS Efforts in Southern Sudan Hindered By Funding Delays, Lack of Awareness, Officials Say- Cara Beck- 11/24/2008 9:30pm

Cara Beck
Soc. 202
11/24 9:30pm

Funding delays, lack of resources, stigma, and an unaware population are all current dilemmas in southern Sudan. There is currently about an 80% gap in funding, a needed $656.12 million, but a current balance of only $124.16 million has been secured. These delays were caused by the South Sudan AIDS Commission's inability to manage and maintain their money especially with the security problems that some southern states face.
In 2007 the SSAC planned to open offices in 10 southern states. The director of the program, just one individual among many, is "mobile" or without an office due to the lack of funding. He says that the lack of an office is the smallest problem he faces in his daily work.
Some people in Sudan think that those refugees who return to the Sudan after fleeing the current conflict are bringing back the disease into their country. In reality, however, refugees are returning from the Congo and East Africa- both places have a much higher awareness of the pandemic than the Sudan.
It is still "taboo" in Sudan to have any sort of open discussion about sex, yet many Sudanese men and women partake in high-risk behavior. For example, studies have shown that 25% of all men in southern Sudan report consistent condom use with casual partners. Most frightening though, is the fact that 50% of women surveyed in the region have never even heard of the virus, nor can 70% of women name the three main ways it is transmitted.
This is not just a cause for concern for the citizens of Sudan, but for the world. If one place on Earth still perpetuates the disease and is less than aware of the means of transfer, the world is at risk.

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports

Dubai coence calls to narrow gender gap

Fikre Debela

11/24/08

      More nations are accepting women gaining an education and working in their society. For so long women have been looked at as weaker then men and considered only for their duty of taking care of the household. However, more people are realizing this is not only discrimination but also it is also hurting the economies of one’s country. The economic impact woman will have by working or going to school can easily bring in more money for a country and help the health of the people. This is just what a conference was called to talk about. To help narrow the gender gap for equality for woman. A two-day conference in Dubai was called to narrow the gender gap in North Africa and the Middle East.

The keynote speech was on “Women in Higher Education” by Professor Gary Becker. He talked of the steady increase of women being in higher education in both high and low income countries. The competition of globalization has occurred and its only to ones benefit that a women work. It was also noted how girls all over the world have become more diligent in studying science and technology. However, even though there is all this improvement certain factors keep society from narrowing the gender gap. For example the scarcity of water can be a factor.
I think its great that many countries are taking steps to narrow the gap. Inequality needs to be handled and I believe having conferences like this helps tremendously. All we need is more governments to cooperate and there will be an improvement in gender equality all around the world.

www.middleeastevents.com/site/pres_dtls.asp?pid=4641

Spanish Solar Panels

Luka Suon
Sociology 202- November 24, 2008

In the tiny town of Santa Coloma de Gramenet in Spain, a new force has emerged in the fight against global warming. The technique has involved placing solar panels--462 of them--on the mausoleums in the cemeteries, since it is the only viable plot of land in the arid place. Although not popular at first it became feasible when it was seen as the only plausible way to generate energy in a town that is packed. The total cost--720,000 euros. The big benefit comes when it keeps out 62 tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
This is smart and innovative thinking, putting something to good use that would otherwise be dead space. It just goes to show that in the face of crisis, even one of such a planetary scale, mankind is capable of devising ways to combat this threat in the most ingenious if unusual way.














Links:
http://www.physorg.com/news146666562.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081123/ap_on_re_eu/eu_spain_solar_cemetery;_ylt=Aih0sSRJMvEnEZEr3colJPFpl88F

Disregard for HIV

Kenneth Miller
11/23/08
9:30PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/20/AR2008112003458.html?hpid=sec-health

Advice being given to patients in regards to HIV testing is being ignored and many said patients return to the doctors with the very symptoms they meant to avoid, as shown in new studies presented in an Arlington health conference. Only 5% of patients with serious illness evidence are being tested for the aids inducing HIV virus. in 06 Disease Control recommended routine tests, with opt out choices, yet it seems the neglect of recommendations are routed to the belief that clinics take to long and the reluctance of insurance as the cost come to about 120$. In crowded emergency rooms rates of infection run from .5 to 1. When saliva test rather than blood were presented, infection rate jumped to .8. Half the district participants from wealthy districts opt out of testing, while a third of the less wealthy districts opted out. When speeding up the testing process in emergency rooms, 83% percent agreed to accept he test. It is also suggested that early testing could discover the virus at an earlier stage and thus make treatment more effective.

This article doesn't come as exactly a surprise to me. I mean, testing for HIV isn't exactly high on the priority list of the average citizen with an average sex life. I think some of their deduction were correct as far as time and cost are concerned, however I feel they neglected to recognize the more human aspect of HIV testing that people simply don't want to know if they have a life threatening disease. This in my opinion could be a cultural issue more than a medical one. Regardless of the semi-selfish aspect, it is an understandable reason. Personally I think it should be a health care standard to provide government funded HIV tests every 2 years, thus eliminating the issue of ignorance, and further more protecting unknowing individuals who may become victims.

Yudhoyono says tackling poverty is key to stability

The main speaker at the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) CEO Summit, a gathering instituted to enable business leaders to interact with APEC leaders, was the president of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. He said that “tackeling poverty is key to prevent political instability and safeguard in the common future.”

He talked about how economic stability effects the emotional state of the people suffering. "A poor community is an angry community. Three billion people worldwide living on two dollars a day are three billion resentful people. Seven hundred million people suffering from chronic malnutrition are seven hundred million disenchanted citizens."

Despite the destitute Indonesia is experiencing, Yudhoyono explains that they have managed to make steps to fight poverty. The country’s poverty rate for 2008 was 15.4 percent, down 16.5 percent in 2007, and from an incredible 42 percent in 1998. The poverty figure in Indonesia was the lowest in 10 years, in terms of actual numbers and percentages.

Factors such creating jobs, paying taxes to the government, developing technology and creating growth has contributed immensely in decreasing the numbers who are impoverished. He also said that Indonesia has vast natural resources but how they must remain in limitation. "It is the people who have unlimited potential. Economies thrive when driven by people empowered with skills, initiative, and innovation," he said.

This explains why is administration’s major concentration and investment is within education. He believes that the youth are their real riches, and he is proud that they have finally be able to reached up to 20 percent allocation for education in their national budget. The country is spending billions of dollars on rural education, rural infrastructures and better healthcare.

Iraqi PM's live address to nation on US forces' withdrawal agreement

David Lambeth
November 23 2008
11:06am
On November 18 2008 Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki addressed the nation live from his office. He opened with this statement, “Oh, honourable Iraqi people. Oh, proud people. May God's peace and blessings be upon you. I would like to talk to you at this critical phase, which our dear country is going through, about an issue that concerns Iraq's present and future, an Iraq which we would like to build together; namely the agreement on the withdrawal from Iraq of US forces and on organizing their activities during their temporary presence in the country.” He then gave thanks for the relief of dictatorship. He then set the stepping stones to talk about Iraq beginning to seek its national sovereignty. In the next paragraph he says “Political” eight times stressing the importance of the new democratic side of the country. They have set a final date of December 2011 for complete withdrawal of US Troops. Also the majority in major cities and subcities must be out by June 2009. He also pledged that there would be on attacks on any other countries. He also restated that Iraq is his number one concern. I am personally excited to see that such progress has been made and the final steps are being taken to gain sovereigntyin Iraq.
http://libproxy.uncg.edu:2086/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T5199715690&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T5199715693&cisb=22_T5199715692&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=10962&docNo=1

Tax dollars working

A man by the name of Rashid Rauf was killed by US missile attack in northwest Pakistan. Rashid was on the run from authorities because of his alleged bombing plot in 2006. The plot included a transatlantic airplane strike. He died when a missile hit a tribal mans house in a village on a border district that is a Al-Qaeda and Taliban stronghold. Along with him four others were killed ,one other being a wanted suspect of Al-Queda named Abu Zubair al-Misri. Rauf was arrested over this bomb plot which sparked a worldwide security scare with bombs made of liquid explosions. Rauf was held under the Security of Pakistan Act and faced charges of impersonation, carrying a false identity and false documents. The attack on Rauf was just after an attack on six members a Al-Qaeda days before. Al-queda member mainley focus in tribal areas were Osama bin Laden is suspected to be hiding. I think this is proving that my tax dollars are being put to good use and bringing down members of this terrorist group. I think people need to realize that this problem will never go away and security always needs to be enhanced. This shows me that this war takes down very dangerous men. With the U.S government taking out a major leader of the terrorist group that shows me that advanced progress is being maid. We know we can win and we know we will . The problem is how to we stop a plan for a random terrorism attack.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jDeOrNGT0wryGUR0N_OyqsazMmjQ

Vincent Meadows

Global warming could lead to more Arctic energy

The European Union found light in the global climate change by saying that "the arctic offers new energy and fishing resources as a result of global warming and new technology and melting ice also presented new navigation possibilities such as a short route to the Pacific Ocean" because of the rapid recession of sea ice, snow cover and permafrost were helping to accelerate global warming and the loss from the Greenland ice sheet would bring a swift rise in sea levels. The new European Union strategy, which will be debated by European Union governments in coming months, foreshadows a stepped up role by European Union officials in the eight-country Arctic Council as well as part of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention which is trying to settle claims over the Arctic. In doing so the European Union will able to have a greater say over the Arctic's future. But, a united Nations panel is supposed to decide on control of the arctic by 2020 which still gives us some time.

Yes it is nice to find something good in a horrible problem, but seriously, exploiting the environment again... isn't that what got us here in the first place. Some say well we don't have any control of the change so might as well taken advantage of what has happened; but can you really take a disaster area and harm it even more. Everyone's momma always says " learn from your mistakes" you think governments would take that into note, but hopefully we will see a good outcome.

http://www.exchangemagazine.com/morningpost/2008/week47/Friday/112105.htm

150,000 children miss school as violence continues in the east

Jessica Maw, November 22nd, 5:25pm

Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has forced most schools in the Rutshuru territory to close which has resulted in an estimated 150,000 children out of school. The fighting resumed late August in North Kivu between forces from rebel group Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP), led by former general, Laurent Nkunda, and the regular Congolese army allied with militias. Fighting is erupting on almost a daily basis.

Since the violence begun two weeks ago, 85% of the schools in the area have been suspended. These closed schools are now being used as shelter for displaced civilians and the Congolese army. UNICEF has stated that armed groups are still recruiting children as young as 14 for fighting. Figures are showing that 3,000 children were being held in the armed forces before the violence started again so these figures are expected to sore with the current the violence.

The current outbreak of violence has lead to tens of thousands of civilians fleeing their homes including 15,000 to Kisharo, 15,000 to Vitchumbi, 5,000 to Butembo; and thousands between Kiwandja and Rutshuru. The displaced face a high risk of cholera and measles, increasing child malnutrition, and children being separated from their families.

The fighting in Congo is causing disruption to daily lives and especially to the lives of children. Children all over the world no matter what background they come from should be able to attend school and feel safe and should not have fighting interrupting their education.

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81468

oil prices dropping again.

Oil prices dropping again.

Rachael Morgan 11-21-08

Just six months ago oil prices by the barrel broke records by hitting an all time high of $145 a barrel. Records are still being broken today but in a different way, oil prices have now hit their all time low of fifty dollars a barrel, or to be exact $49.62.
In September Goldman Sachs Group Inc “recommended a three-way trade of options on March crude futures, which effectively bet that the contract would trade between $120 and $140 a barrel. That trade currently posts a loss of $23.99 a barrel, and the bank now expects oil prices to remain below $65 a barrel in March.”
With such a huge decline in oil prices, although they have been helpful at the pump, will be extremely dangerous for our already declining economy. If the prices keep falling our dependency on foreign oil will continue to rise as our own oil production companies are forest to slow production.
Goldman Sachs Group “continues to expect a rally in the second half of 2009, with prices ending the year at $107 a barrel. The bank leads one camp that expects a new period of tight supplies and rising prices once economies begin to recover, albeit less than the runaway market seen earlier this year.”
In the months to come the only way to tell if these reports will hold any truth, is to wait and see. Unless the demand goes up there will be no change, and our economy will continue to suffer.

Sources cited http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122719508911344363.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Global Gender Gaps Shrink; Women 60% of World Poor

Danielle Plesser

SOC202

November 21, 2008, 10:40 PM (oops)

The website Women’s E-news’s article “Cheers and Jeers of the Week: Global Gender Gaps Shrink; Women 60% of World Poor” covers events that have taken place recently around the world and through the list of positive and negative events summarizes the overall progress women have made in the world towards equality. Statistics released from resources such as the World Economic Forum, and are placed alongside bullet note lists of events around the world (such as Taiwan’s demand that Japan apologize to the comfort-women of World War II).

Now, I’m not sure how I feel about an article that’s part of the “Cheers and Jeers of the Week” section of a site called “Women’s E-news.” I’m sure that plenty of the statistics offered do point to very serious issues as well as to episodes of progress in some nations. However, when it’s made into such a dynamic scale, an either-or, with women clearly being the focus of the whole site, I can’t help but think that there must certainly be some bias in the way that it’s written. I assume more outrage is laced into the “Jeers” and some of the things worth “Cheer”ing about seemed a little strange to me. I do like the article though, and its structure reminded me that I need to get to work on my powerpoints for class. As far as news articles go, if you’re looking for a dumbed-down version of what’s happening to women around the world, this might work. I just worry that a site concentrated on only news about women will only attract a limited and already informed audience.

http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/3823/context/archive

Sold for $12,000: Tackling Child Trafficking in Kyrgyzstan

Jamilliah Halley
November 21, 2008
Sold for $12,000: Tackling Child Trafficking in Kyrgyzstan

Mother locked up abroad and two teenage girls without a mother in a strange place. The only thing that they want again is to be with their mother. Rumilya 12 and her older sister Lili 16 were sent to live with care givers when their mother was detained for theft. Rumilya and Lili were ordered to stay with a caregiver. But this caregiver had other ideas for them. THE idea she had was to sell these girls into a life of enslaved sex trade. The care giver got them fake passports and sent them to Dubai. She sold the girls for $12, 000 each. While the girls were in Dubai they turned to drugs and alcohol to cop with the stress of the situation they were in. But no matter how much Rumily drank she could not deal so she attempted suicide by jumping out of the forth story of a building. Although she didn’t die she was arrested for being a commercial sex worker. She ended up being deported back to Kyrgyz. For the next two years she would live at a place that was supported by UICEF. There she got help from psychiatrist and councilors that helped her to believe that she could start her life over. She is now the 19 and the mother of a new born child. She goes back to the UICEF home constantly to help other children that are just like her and she currently got a new position working in the UNICEF house.


http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/kyrgyzstan_46457.html

A Woman Fighting for Her Rights in the Middle of a War

A Woman Fighting for Her Rights in the Middle of a War

John Johnston

11/21/2008

6:15pm

The article follows a girl, Cassandra, who witnessed the death of her cousin and friend for no apparant reason. The Democratic Republic of Congo has long opressed women despite a peace-agreement that was passed in January. The media, along with Cassandra, has followed this war against violence toward women since day one, which has now taken over 5 million lives. Cassandra has written countless letters and has even organized a candlelight vigil in honor of the slain women. However, through her many hours of work police have opposed her attempts for peace by reacting with violence. She has even been beaten and taken to jail for her attempts, but she kept headstrong and opposed the police force even as they were doing this. While in prison, she was beaten and sexually abused. She is now sitting before the United State Immigration Courts and is hoping to be protected under the Immigration and Nationality Act and Convention Against Torture.

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Cassandra is a whisp in a hurrican, so to speak. The Democratic Republic of Congo, having killed millions of lives in their violence against women, is a foul and rudimentary government that is not realizing the facet of today's society. All over the world, women are being mistreated and beaten and raped for no reason alone, save for the excuse that they are "second class citizens". This does not make sense to me, as most of the countries that have started movements to protest the violence against women are not recognized by the government. Even the governments that have signed laws against this kind of violence do not enforce them. The entire process is extremely unefficient and calls for reform. For a country to go as chaotic as the Democratic Republic of Congo and no one do anything, it seems a little messed up. I do not necessarily suggest the United States get involved, but I don't see how it would hurt. What extremes would the United States get involved, though, is another issue all in itself. I do suggest that some attention be paid, at a global level, so that appropriate action may be taken.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nina-boyajian/a-womens-rights-advocate_b_145360.html

Disease and Immigration (HIV/AIDS)

Disease and Immigration (HIV/AIDS)
Chelsea Thompson – 11-21-2008 – 5:15 PM
This is basically a look at the numbers of people being affected by HIV/AIDS. Over 25 million people have died from AIDS since its first discovery in the 1980’s. Over 65 million people have been infected, and almost 40 million people are currently living with AIDS worldwide. People with HIV/AIDS are more likely to pick up TB – 6 times more likely to be specific. 90 percent of the world’s infected children live in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Botswana, 1/3-1/4 of the population lives with the disease. This is a really scary fact in my opinion. 1 out of 4 people in that country are living with HIV/AIDS – that’s a really big number if you really think about it. 5.3 million People are infected alone in South Africa. This means that South Africa is one of the worst affected areas in the world – only rivaling Nigeria and India. There is a light at the end of the tunnel however. Global funding for preventative medicine has tripled and celebrities are doing all they can to raise awareness. The only problem is that finding a vaccine to fight off the disease is proving to be nearly impossible. I think that the numbers of infected people is a scary thing. People need to be more aware of what they are doing and of the possible consequences of their actions before they engaged in potentially dangerous activities. If this happens, then the spread of this disease could be controlled, if not stopped completely.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977512104

Waxman wins bid to lead energy committee

By DAVID IVANOVICH and STEWART POWELL WASHINGTON BUREAU

Posted by: Zaki Bernoussi

In a contested vote, Waxman, 69, Thursday beat the 82-year-old dean of the House, John Dingell of Michigan, as chairman of the committee, which originates much of Congress’ energy and environmental legislation.Waxman’s new role adds worry for an oil and gas industry already confronting a severe recession, plunging crude prices and a Democratic administration committed to limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
“Houston has a problem,” said Kevin Book, an oil and energy policy analyst with FBR Capital Markets. “But it had a problem anyway.”

During his 34 years representing Los Angeles on Capitol Hill, Waxman created the Community Right to Know law, which allows local residents to learn what chemical plants are releasing into the air.He pushed for investigations of the oil companies. And with the start of the Iraq war, Waxman made Halliburton a household name with his relentless criticisms of the company’s multibillion-dollar contracts from the Pentagon.In a statement by e-mail Thursday evening, Halliburton spokeswoman Cathy Mann said the company believes “the time is right for a fresh start on energy, now that the U.S. campaigns are over.”

“We are at a unique moment in history,” said Waxman, who currently is the No. 2 Democrat on the panel. “We have an opportunity that comes only once in a generation.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., made clear what she expects Waxman to accomplish “progress toward making America energy independent, making health care available to all Americans and addressing the greatest challenge of our time, global warming.”

Presidentelect Barack Obama has called energy “the most important issue that our future economy is going to face,” and Dingell predicted that energy policy will be shaped largely from the White House.“I think probably what would have emerged either under Dingell or Waxman ... would have been quite similar, because the White House is going to play a major role in setting the energy policy of this country,” Dingell said.

posted at 5:45 pm

Melting Arctic Region Uncovers Resources

Stephanie Adams
November 21^st, 2008

The Arctic is the region of the world showing the most impact from global warming. Many countries in and surrounding the Arctic region are beginning to notice the many possible resources that will be uncovered and want to make sure to get their piece of the pie. The melting of Arctic ice is likely to bring more fishing, fossil fuel and shipping opportunities with shorter routes. But before they can start jumping in on those opportunities there are rules and regulation that need to be discussed and implemented between the nations in order to prevent any more negative environmental effects.

The European Union (EU), United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the World Wide Fund for Nature International (WWF) has all shown great concern for the Arctic. The EU expressed their interest in creating a plan to keep the Arctic from damage that could be caused by exploitation. The EU has 3 countries who are members of the Arctic Council including Denmark, Finland and Sweden. The EU would like for UNCLOS to strengthen their environmental guidelines and create a new and separate Arctic Charter focusing specifically on the protection of that region. Other Arctic countries such as Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the U.S. are not in favor of the charter. WWF sees the Charter as a step toward protecting the Arctic but worries that UNCLOS does not have the strength to completely protect the Arctic and worries that there are not enough infrastructures to clean up oils spills if oil development occurs. Discussion between these organizations is continuing.

http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2008/11/eu-seeks-role-in-the-arctic/63153.aspx

Which Came First, the Uighur or the Han?

In China, the Han have dominated over the Uighur Muslim group for a very long time, epescially in the region of Xinjiang. Almost nine million Uighurs live in this region, but most Han claim that they were the first there and they claim the territory as their own. The Han claim that when a former leader of theirs had an expedition to the region that they settled down in Xinjiang and were the first people there so that the land belongs to them. A local history museum begs to differ. The museum has much history of the Han, but the second floor of the museum displays mummies of the original settlers, the beautiful Loulan. The Loulan's body is very well preserved, but appears to be from several centuries before the Han expedition. Chinese records show that the Uighurs did not arrive until much later, but the Han also doesn't want to admit that they have done the Uighurs wrong and the Han should not rightfully have control over the region of Xinjiang. Officials have taken the suppression of the Uighrs far enough that they will not even allow foreign scientists to complete DNA testing on the mummies to prove or disprove whether the mummies are Uighur or a different group. Some scientists have been able to sneak tissue samples for testing, proving that atleast two of the mummies have a European ancestry. China has began to allow Chinese scientists to do DNA testing on the mummies and their claim is that they believe the DNA is from Eastern Chinese migrants, but they agree that more testing is needed. Most believe that the bodies are from European migrants and some appear to be from Iran.






http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/world/asia/19mummy.html?em

Terror in France

by: Nicole Griffin
Today a man has been charged in France with criminal association with terrorist enterprise by a French judge who filed preliminary ant-terrorist charges. The charges has stemmed from alleged terrorist head ringleader, Mikel Garikeitz as one who has been involved with killing two Spanish officers in the French Atlantic town of Capbreton . Mikel is accused of being the leader of a group known as ETA, which according to Princeton University’s WordNet, is a terrorist organization established in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional Basque party in France. The charge against Garikeitz is strictly preliminary which allows French investigators to probe into more evidence that may lead to a major trial. Mikel’s attempts for separation from the national Basque party has become indeed deadly in the sense that the ETA’s actions has become a major problem for France since it has affected the lives of many outside of the incident that killed the officers, but others were killed as well over a span of many years. The ETA’s acts of terrorism proves that the acts are being carried out in various nations not just in the middle east, terrorism displays the diabolical avenues extremist travel on just to prove to others that the socially acceptable norms are not the avenues that lead to their answer of “true” justice.
Source
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/11/21/france.eta.ap/index.html

UGANDA: Alice: “I saw my friend being beheaded and his body cut up” (Martika Bigham)

November 21, 2008
4:30pm
Martika Bigham

A few years ago children from Gulu, Uganda were abducted from their homes by the Lord's Resistance Army. Although that was a while ago, they are still are psychologically coping with what happened to them. The children are still traumatized and haunted by their memories, long after their rescue and release.

One little girl by the name of “Alice” was abducted in 2005, when she was only 12-years-old. She shared her about her escape from rebel captivity in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. She was abducted by rebels that attacked out of a bush while she and her mother were working outside. She was told that if she tried to escape from them then she would be killed immediately.

The man who kidnapped her was named Pope. He provided her with food and told her to cook it for him. When she wasn’t able to do so, she was “caned” (beaten) until she became unconscious. When she came to, she was then taken way by Vincent Otti , the deputy commander of the Lord's Resistance Army. He told her that Pope had planned to kill her and that was why he took her way. While with him she traveled to Congo and planted crops. Otti promised to take her back one day, but he was killed before he could do so. She was told that if she or any of the other children cried over his death that they would be killed.

One day while fetching water she decided to try to escape. She got away and traveled for two weeks looking for any peace keeping forces she could find. On her way she was joined by another boy looking for a safe haven. They were caught and the boy was killed. “His head was cut off and the people carried his head, saying rebels were killing people in Congo. “ Alice was harshly beaten and almost died, but she was saved by a chief who took her and claimed her as his wife.

Soon after that she was rescued by Congo solders, who took her back to Gulu. Right now she is living with her uncle. She’s afraid to go home; for fear that people will call her a rebel. She is looking towards the future and is excited about returning to school.

Reading articles like this really scare me, I can’t imagine something like this happening to me or any of my peers. After reading about someone who went through such a traumatic experience, such as the one I read, I can’t imagine that after all that she doesn’t want to return home. If I were her I don’t think I would care what people said about me, all that would matter is that I could be with my family again. However, I’m happy that she’s looking forward to starting school again. I hope she does well in her studies and continues a safe and productive life.

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81486

Prominent al Qaeda member killed-stirs new controversy in war, Jared Hill, 11/21/2008, 4:26 p.m.

A United States military soldier who was kidnapped by al Qaeda in 2004 was indentified on Thursday. Hajji Hammadi, who was a prominent member of al Qaeda was behind this attack. He was also responsible for an attack that happened on June 26^th concerning at a governmental meeting in the town of Karma, Baghdad. He allegedly taped this suicide bombing while his partner was in disguise with a police uniform. Many important figures and innocent victims were murdered in this tragic event. The United States military killed Hammadi in an operation on last week. This has brought a beacon of hope to many government officials and citizens of Iraq. Hammadi was a very sought after target and has participated in al Qaeda’s activities for quite some time. Along with his record, he was one of the most revered terrorists of the organization. He was found in a house with armed suspects and shot to death. Four of the suspects have been detained by the United States military since this attack occurred. This event has brought about the ongoing dispute of the United States-Iraq Security Pact. Lawmakers have not yet reached a decision based on the protests of groups opposing the treaty. The Sunni Parliament will only agree to the pact, which takes place in June of 2009, if the detainees held by the United States military are released. They feel holding these four suspects is unjust because they have yet to be convicted of any crimes. This pact begins the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, having them all evacuated by December 31, 2011.

LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/11/20/iraq.main/index.html

An Amber Alert

Alisha Casey/November 21, 2009/ 4:30 p.m.

In Britain there is a concern about commercial sex. Off the busy streets in Britain there is the rape trade where most activity is legal but abuse is not. There is rising concern that abuse levels have increased and will continue to increase because people are afraid to speak out due to exploration risks. Statistics show that 8 out of 10 prostitutes are immigrates. Many immigrant prostitutes do not recognize the risk associated due to their lack of knowledge of the English language and the law and they are sometimes trafficked by gangs. Over the past two years the police in Britain have rescued 251 women who were thought to have traveled to Britain for sexual slavery.

This week the government has proposed a law to make those individuals that buying sex liable to criminal charges. This is not a remedy but a way to decrease the number of individuals seeking prostitution activities. This is not an unusual problem around the world every country has prostitution is some shape or form. This may be a difficult task for Britain since it is legal to buy and sell sex but most of the things that make prostitution possible such as: pimping, soliciting, and kerb- crawling are not. As the law stands punters who knowingly have sex with an exploited woman can face charges of rape. The new law would criminalise the oblivious as well.

The laws in Britain are very different from the laws around the world. Another law that is controversial is a older man that has sex with an underage girl may be acquitted if the man can prove that he was tricked into having sex. the laws are controversial. Prostitution is wrong in my eyes no mater what the circumstances and especially when an older man has a sexual encounter with a young girl. I think that it will be difficult for Britain to pass a law protecting those who participate in prostitution from abuse for the simple fact that prostitution is legal. May citizens may be against the law because many of the older voters support prostitution.


http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=348951&story_id=12637017

Vietnam Begins Operating New Oil Field

Rebecca Roberts, November 21, 2008; Vietnam begins Operating New Oil Field

According to GlobalOilWatch.com and Yahoo news in Vietnam they have started using their new oil field which promises to help boost crude oil prices by up to 21% by the end of this year. Currently in Southern Vietnam is producing 60,000 barrels of oil daily and with the new oil field they will be able to start producing 65,000 barrels daily.

If this news of the new oil field is not going to attempt to help the global economy then maybe knowing that in Vietnam there have been 2 other new locations with which can begin producing oil as soon as 2010. Last year alone Vietnam produced about 16 million tons of oil which is a daily average of 307,000 barrells a day. Next year Vietname is hoping to produce 17 million tons of oil to keep up with the need of crude oil.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081120/ap_on_bi_ge/as_vietnam_oil_production

Secure Land Rights to Help Women Achieve Food Security, Escape Poverty

Kari Leonard
November 21, 2008
3:28pm

This article is about how the Rural Development Institute, an international non-profit working to secure land rights for the world’s rural poor, received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help women in India. The grant was $6.7 million dollars and was give to expand its “micro-land ownership” program in India to help landless women and their families achieve food security and escape poverty through access to agricultural services on land as small as 1/10th of an acre. The article also says that in India, women are a significant majority of the agricultural labor force but that they rarely have rights to land and are usually one of the most vulnerable groups. Giving the women a little bit of land can yield a lot of benefits for women in terms of having food, security, shelter, income and status. I am really glad that Bill Gates with all of his money has decided to give these women a chance to survive and have a good life. This is a major start for what is beginning all around the world for women in developing countries. There are still more countries that are out there that are far behind in many rights for women but each time I find a new newsletter on how women are continually being helped it makes me feel better about the situation. That’s how things happen one step at a time.

http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=8541&mode=thread&order=0